balanced vs unbalanced?

Posted on Jan 03, 2005 10:45 pm
funachos
Member Since: Jan 03, 2005

is there any advantage to using a balanced TRS cable when only one side of the chain is balanced?

for example, if the output of my mixer is unbalanced (1/4 TS), but my DAW has balanced inputs (1/4 TRS), is there any advantage to using balanced (more expensive) cables...?
same thing for the reverse situation as well (TRS outputs to TS inputs)
thanks for the help

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

Jan 03, 2005 11:10 pm

Not really,

A balanced link (TRS both ends) utilizes a dual signal path phased 180deg out which provides actual noise cancelation of induced noise into the cable. With one end being TR this process does not apply. Now, quality of the cable, especially the shield, will make a difference in the TR cable you choose.