I have one black cord/wire/cable (best term?) for use with my two microphones (a Shure SM57 and an Audix OM2) with XLR connectors on both ends. The problem is that when those mics (or another dynamic mic I borrowed) are used through that cord, the sound is VERY VERY QUIET.
When I use the same mics (or the borrowed one) with a different (borrowed) cord, the sound is properly loud. If I crank the gain on the amp the mics are going into with the low cord, I can hear/record my voice, but it is at least 1/10th as loud as it should be, so much so that it is useless.
My questions are: what could cause this? Can I fix it? (and is it worth it? I've never bought a mic wire before, just got this from someone). I should note, I've long used a rather bent XLR-to-1/4" adaptor onto the end of the cord, with the "prong" bent 20 degrees from true, so this may be part of what messed up this cord.
I'd just like to understand how this works.
Thanks.