Cable Questions

[cincy_kid]

Ok after reading up on some cable information here at tweakz page , I still have some basic questions.

1) When I am connecting things like Alesis SR-16 to my Delta 1010 and also outs from my Delta 1010 to my mixer for monitoring, etc. Is it always best to use TRS (balanced cables) since it is less chance of hum or noise? I know it matters more for longer cable lengtsh (or so i have read), but just consider short lengths in general.

2) For me to run out of my M-Audio Tampa S/PDIF into my Delta 1010 (which are all 1/4" INS), do they make a S/PDIF to 1/4"cable? If so should it be TRS or TS? Is it better/worse quality to use a normal S/PDIF cable and buy an adapter from radio shack that converts a RCA to 1/4" ? And again, should it be TRS?

3) Since a guitar cable or "instrument cable" is unbalanced or TS, does that mean using a TRS cable for your guitar to amp is a bad thing? Wont it provide less hum?

I am sure I have more cable questions or will have more down the road but for now I guess that all off the top of my head.

Thanks!

[Dr Biscuits]

Hey ck... basically, the thing to remember is that if any piece of gear in your chain is unbalanced, then you're using an unbalanced signal. If your mixer has unbalanced jacks, or or your Alesis does, then it doesn't matter what kind of cable you use it's still an unbalanced signal.
This usually isn't a major factor anyway unless you're running long cables. You probably won't hear any difference with short runs, although if you've got the gear it certainly doesn't hurt to use balanced cabling when possible.
To answer your second question, SPDIF is a digital signal, which means you cannot just run a cable from your SPDIF out to your 1/4" analog in's on the 1010. The 1010 does have a SPDIF in/out so you can hook it up to that, but you can't just run digital to analog with no conversion in between.
And for the guitar cable, again, a TRS cable will not provide any extra hum protection - it is the signal that must be balanced, and a guitar signal is not... so a TRS cable will do nothing to prevent hum - just use a decent guitar cable.
Hope this helps you out!

[SRR]

And just to be clear the digital in and out on the m-audio 1010 is on the card itself not the breakout box.

[cincy_kid]

Originally Posted by Dr Biscuits

Hey ck... basically, the thing to remember is that if any piece of gear in your chain is unbalanced, then you're using an unbalanced signal. If your mixer has unbalanced jacks, or or your Alesis does, then it doesn't matter what kind of cable you use it's still an unbalanced signal.
This usually isn't a major factor anyway unless you're running long cables. You probably won't hear any difference with short runs, although if you've got the gear it certainly doesn't hurt to use balanced cabling when possible.
To answer your second question, SPDIF is a digital signal, which means you cannot just run a cable from your SPDIF out to your 1/4" analog in's on the 1010. The 1010 does have a SPDIF in/out so you can hook it up to that, but you can't just run digital to analog with no conversion in between.
And for the guitar cable, again, a TRS cable will not provide any extra hum protection - it is the signal that must be balanced, and a guitar signal is not... so a TRS cable will do nothing to prevent hum - just use a decent guitar cable.
Hope this helps you out!

Ah thanks DrB for explaingin that. I got the unbalanced/balanced part as far as it being unbalnced if any unbalanced gear/cables were used, but I was wondering if the gear was all balanced would TRS cables be best, and I see now yes they would, thanks...

Also, I guess I misunderstood Lemontrees post on one of the other threads where he said he goes from Tampa SPDIF out to analog channel which is why I asked...I am sure it was my misunderstanding

[cincy_kid]

Originally Posted by SRR

And just to be clear the digital in and out on the m-audio 1010 is on the card itself not the breakout box.

Ohhh, I wondered about that! LOL, thanks SRR ~

[cincy_kid]

I was going to get an SPDIF cable today but I think I will just use the analog balanced out from the Tampa since you lose some gain and cant take advantage of the "soft-clipping" effect with the -20db output pad.

[mrT]

a S/PDIF cable is the same as an RCA. If you get signal it's all the same. (so long as the RCA is of decent quality)

[cincy_kid]

Originally Posted by mrT

a S/PDIF cable is the same as an RCA. If you get signal it's all the same. (so long as the RCA is of decent quality)

Hrm I actually read that you could "USE" an RCA cable but it was not recommended and that you wanted to get a 75 OHM SPDIF cable (like coaxial).

Either way, I think it seems like analog out is the way to go unless we're all missing something here

[mrT]

Originally Posted by cincy_kid

Hrm I actually read that you could "USE" an RCA cable but it was not recommended and that you wanted to get a 75 OHM SPDIF cable (like coaxial).

Either way, I think it seems like analog out is the way to go unless we're all missing something here

You speak from something you read and I'm talking about something I've done. Keep the cable short and I highly doubt you'll hear a difference. but if you really want to spend the extra money go for it. I guess I'm just cheap and result oriented...

btw I actually do use a dedicated "S/PDIF" cable... but I've never noticed a difference between it and a regular RCA. Go figure