making insert cables

[notbradsohner]

when wiring up insert cables, what do you do with the ground? I assume you can just use balanced cable, split the pos. and neg. to the tip and ring of the TRS end, but what do you do on the two TS ends? Is there special insert cable with seperate grounds to positive and negative?

[frederic]

Insert cables share a ground. I generally use shielded, single conductor cable for it (like coax) not because it's better, but because it's more abusable.

1/4"TRS ......... 1/4" TS x 2

T --------------> T1
R --------------> T2
S --------------> S1 + S2


T = tip, r = ring, s = sleeve. The left side is the stereo plug, and the right side are the two mono (TS) plugs.

I highly recommend you mark the output TS plug either by a different color plug casing, a band of electrical tape, different color wire, something, so at a glance you know which is the output, and which is the input on the insert cord. When you're in a rush you'll not remember. Even with coffee

[notbradsohner]

single conductor? Wont you need two conductors, (Tip and ring)? Im afraid im not following....

[frederic]

Aaaah.

I don't count the shield as a conductor when refering to audio cables, but it's part of the circuit in this case.

Sorry 'bout that.