Unbalanced vs. Balanced Connections

> > > Unbalanced vs. Balanced Connections

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Member Since: Sep 11, 2004

Hi again,

I'm wondering how important balanced connections really are in a recording environment. I'm about to shell out money for some nice monitors but i have no way of getting balanced inputs to them.

I don't have many cables in my studio at all. Pretty much just from my guitar into my pedal. I don't see there being to much "interference", but was wondering if I'll have to deal with noise problems if i do without balanced inputs. Has anyone ever had problems with that?

Let me know,

Thanks

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Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002

Oct 02, 2004 04:15 pm

Without getting extensive technical babble, rule of thumb is use the cable for the job. If both pieces of equipment a spec'ed for balanced cables use them. If not, don't. Connecting unbalanced outputs to unbalanced inputs with a balanced cable will do nothing for interference and may cause connectivity problems. Connecting balanced XLR inputs with phantom power present with an unbalanced cord may just fry something. Some units offer facilities for either / or. In this case your intuitive approach to "how much interference is present" is the determining factor.

> > > Unbalanced vs. Balanced Connections

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