Connecting sound card line out to mixer XLR

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Member Since: Aug 09, 2005

I've done the research for a couple of days and didn't find the answer I need. Please jump in for any advices.

I plan to buy a mixer. What I want to do is to connect the output from my computer's sound card to this mixer, a couple of mics to the mixer, and then connect the mixer to the receiver of my home stereo system. The problem is with the connection cable from the sound card to the mixer.

The output from the sound card needs a 3.5mm (1/8") male stereo connector. The input to the mixer is a XLR (like those used for mic) or 1/4" TRS stereo. But I could not find any connection cable that has these two connectors.

So far the best I can do is convert the 3.5mm to two RCA females, then use a RCA male to XLR cable to connect them. But I am worrying about the possible noices due to too many connections.

SOUND CARD ******** 2 RCA *** 2 RCA ******* Mixer
(1/8" stereo) ----------> (female) --- (male) --------> (XLR or TRS)


The reason I need a XLR at the mixer end is because I am thinking of buying this mixer:
www.zzounds.com...m--BEHUB1202FX.
It does not have RCA input, but many 1/4" TRS stereo and XLR's.

And the reason for this mixer is because it is one of the few mixers that is below $100 and still offer some effects (reverb, delay, etc).

What is your thoughts? Any comments are welcome.

Thank you!

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Member
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Aug 09, 2005 02:50 pm

hi alle, and welcome to HRC. I actually found the exact same converter at radio shack. I'm not sure if your local one will have it though because I know some are different.

The adapter I have is a male 1/8 stereo, and it converts it into 2 mono 1/4.

then I bought an insert cable (Y cable) from any music store and used this as INput into my mixer.

A cable like this should also suffice
new.earthshakingmusic.com/CMP-153.html


http://www.designnotes.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/CAA30.JPG


Member
Since: Aug 09, 2005

Aug 09, 2005 03:26 pm

Thanks for the reply, stupe.

What you said is very similar to 1/8 - 2 RCA - 1/4 stereo that I mentioned earlier. Do you experience noticable noices?

I am also open to suggestions on a low cost mixer which has build in effect. I think I won't need the additional connection cable if the mixer has RCA inputs - and the mixer I plan to buy does not have RCA inputs :(


jimmie neutron
Member
Since: Feb 14, 2005

Aug 09, 2005 05:53 pm

Keep your cable-run short (3-6 ft) and you *shouldn't* pick-up any appreciable noise. The XLR and TRS on most of a mixer's inputs are "Balanced" inputs. Using a regular TS 1/4" plug works, it's just that you lose the "benefit" of a balanced cable (which only comes in to play *if* you've got ALL balanced cables for an entire setup). Pick-up *two* of those cables, and set one back for just-in-case backup. RCA cables have a nasty tendency to go kaput at the most inopportune time, such as when you're in the middle of inspiration at 1am and the store is closed...

Member
Since: Aug 09, 2005

Aug 09, 2005 07:08 pm

umm.. I don't know what is a balanced cable, could you please explain briefly? Is the typical 1/8" stereo cable that plugs into the sound card balanced?

Thanks

jimmie neutron
Member
Since: Feb 14, 2005

Aug 10, 2005 06:55 am

An unbalanced cable (using TS or RCA, or a TRS as "stereo") is the signal wire with shield, such as a guitar cable, stereo cable, etc. A balanced cable carries a 2nd signal line (hence the TRS, or the 3 tines of an XLR), which helps in line-noise rejection/reduction for longer cable runs. An 1/8" (3.5mm) connector, or an RCA connector, or a 1/4" TS connector is generally not going to be used in a balanced circuit, just XLR and TRS (maybe Neutrix? [sic] - I'm not familiar with them).

Member
Since: Aug 09, 2005

Aug 10, 2005 10:51 am

I see. Thank you for the explanation jmail.

So the wire going out of the sound card is just stereo, it won't be balanced. And hence, it won't be balanced when it goes into the mixer and I don't need to worry about it then :)

With the discussion so far, it seems that I won't be able to find a direct connection cable from 1/8" stereo to XLR/TRS, it has to go through some interium conversion, such as RCA or mono 1/4".

Does anyone know of a good mixer that is not so expensive and has built-in common effects? Other than the one I mentioned in my first post.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Aug 10, 2005 10:56 am

The Behringer UB series has decent built in effects...which is what you first mentioned.

1/8" stero cables you will not find supported by most pro/semi-pro recording gear...not any that I can think of...making that work would likely require an adapter of some sort, or require you to make your own cable, which is really surprisingly easy.

If you are working with an 1/8" jack, don't even think about balanced cabling yet, anything gained via balanced cable is lost from the little 1/8" jack anyway...it's a wash.

Member
Since: Aug 09, 2005

Aug 10, 2005 12:00 pm

Thanks for the reply, dB Master!

Is there any place you know that I can get those parts I needed to make my own cable? Just want to see how this option is compare with buying pre-made cables.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Aug 10, 2005 12:02 pm

If you are in the US (or anywhere else they are) Radio Shack comes to mind, or any electronic part store.

jimmie neutron
Member
Since: Feb 14, 2005

Aug 10, 2005 08:38 pm

About the easiest, quickest way to go absolutely bonkers is to try and solder your own 1/8" stereo plugs!!! I'm warnin' ya, you'll inhale so much solder smoke, your eyes will bug!!! Not to mention the fact that the insulation melts before you get done with the second wire!!!

Seriously, the 1/8" stereo mini-plug, "wye"d to the 2 1/4" TS mono plugs, works fine into a balanced input jack. Don't worry about it. It just turns it into an unbalanced input. Another choice would be an 1/8" plug to 2 RCA males (*very* common cable), then two separate RCA female to 2 1/4" TS plug adapters (both also available at the neighborhood electronics store) (if you have one).

I would NOT recommend Radio Shack as a source of soldering parts (except maybe solder). I'm lucky, I've got like 3 independant electronics stores within 30 minutes of the house, and I realize that's a luxury most don't have, but, there is *nothing* quite like a SwitchCraft 1/4" TS plug with the heavy metal jacket and fibre insulators when it comes time to hit it with the hot iron. Radio Shack uses plastic insulator rings and they have a tendency to melt just a bit and create a loose plug, no matter *what* kind of heat-sink you might use...

Member
Since: Aug 09, 2005

Aug 10, 2005 11:02 pm

I have another question for all the experts here: does condenser microphones use the same standard XLR cable? Do I need any thing special with the mixer to support it?

Edit: did some research, it seems that a condenser microphone requires a "phantom power" from the mixer?

I am not sure if I should get a condenser or a dynamic microphone.

Thanks!

?cixelsid I mA
Member
Since: Jul 30, 2005

Aug 11, 2005 02:27 am

Get a condenser if you're serious about quality, especially for accoustical instruments. If you're only interested in vocals, a shure SM57 is the best dynamic mic for under $100. If you do go with a condenser, be sure your mixer has phantom power...i'm sure most do.

Member
Since: Aug 09, 2005

Aug 11, 2005 10:11 am

Thank!

Also want to thank all of you here who replied this message to help me make the decisions.

You all have a great day!

Member
Since: Aug 09, 2005

Aug 11, 2005 10:42 am

jmail, didn't see your reply till now :)

Yeah, it's a bless to have so many electronics supply stores around you. I'll have to check out my neighbourhood to see if there is any store other an radio shack. The price at radio shack is usually too high and I might just be better off using RCA cables to connect them like you mentioned.

Thanks!

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