Brick > Rnc > Delta1010

[tkingen]

I'd like to wire my Brick's balanced ouput through an unbalanced RNC into a Delta1010. I've been using a short xlr to xlr cable with 1/4" transfomer into the RNC. Is that okay? Would it be better to use a short xlr to unbalanced 1/4" cable?
Then, should I just come out of the RNC into the Delta1010 with an unbalanced cable, or should I somehow convert that from unbalanced to balanced?
This whole thing is making me feel unbalanced!

Regards,
Terry

[chessrock]

I think you've got the idea. No need to balance the signal again going to your sound card, unless you're planning on an extra long cable run or something.

As far as converting a balanced to an unbalanced signal, again, I think you've got the idea. I'm not sure if this is absolutely necessary, but the theoretical ideal for going from balanced to unbalanced is to use a converter with an impedence-matching transformer. You can buy them at most music shops or even radio shack.

[tkingen]

Chess,

Interesting thing...I emailed GrooveTubes customer support and received a quick reply that any Guitar Center should have the proper cable. So, I looked at the FMR website and jotted down the recommended cable from the FAQ section, which happened to be a Hosa female xlr to 1/4" unbalanced. Went to GC and got one.
Got home, fired everything up, and found that the new cable actually decreased the signal by a significant margin. Then I realized that this setup required a -10 input level into the soundcard. That brought the level up, but then the recorded signal sounded dull and lifeless.
I went back to the balanced xlr cable, again added the barrel type impedance transformer to go into the RNC, switched the Delta1010 to +4 and got full signal back again.
The balanced cable and imp transformer is clearly the better option in this case, but it seems strange to have to rely on a cheap inline component like that impedance transformer. Is this the only option if you want to use the RNC?

[chessrock]

Originally Posted by tkingen

The balanced cable and imp transformer is clearly the better option in this case, but it seems strange to have to rely on a cheap inline component like that impedance transformer. Is this the only option if you want to use the RNC?

I suppose you could use a higher-end passive DI box (Countryman, etc.) in reverse.

[tdukex]

Originally Posted by chessrock

I'm not sure if this is absolutely necessary, but the theoretical ideal for going from balanced to unbalanced is to use a converter with an impedence-matching transformer.

My understanding, which is minimal, is that the impedence-matching transformers are only necessary when going from a lo-impedence mic "signal" to a hi-impedence input. I don't think there's an impedence difference that requires a transformer between balanced and unbalanced signals, though I could be wrong. For example, my Dman 2044 soundcard has 1/4" unbalanced inputs. I have never needed/used a transformer when going to or coming from balanced gear.

[tkingen]

Originally Posted by tdukex

My understanding, which is minimal, is that the impedence-matching transformers are only necessary when going from a lo-impedence mic "signal" to a hi-impedence input. I don't think there's an impedence difference that requires a transformer between balanced and unbalanced signals, though I could be wrong. For example, my Dman 2044 soundcard has 1/4" unbalanced inputs. I have never needed/used a transformer when going to or coming from balanced gear.

In regards to the RNC, the FMR website explains that a balanced TRS 1/4" cable will not work as a mono input or output into the RNC. The unit treats TRS as receive/send. I tested this and found it to be true. So, since the Brick output is balanced XLR, I used a barrel type impedance transformer inline to the RNC.
Although this is not the first choice for connectivity, it does work until I get the gumption to spend a lot more money on a balanced compressor that may not do any better than the RNC.

Terry