+4 or -10?

[maddrummer]

I have always been a little confused with the whole +4 -10 thing. If I go into my Art dual MP, use the XLR out into my presonus ACP-22 Compressor, XLR out to my Mackie, then direct out (using a balanced 1/4" TRS) to my Delta 1010, would I be running +4 or -10. Stupid question but which one is better (i am assuming +4). And is there a difference between a balanced TRS and a XLR? Thanks......Josh

[jdavis]

With that signal chain, you should be running +4 the whole way, because everything is balanced. Generally speaking, +4 is with balanced things, -10 is with unbalanced. Remember, once you introduce one piece of unbalanced gear into the chain, the whole chain becomes unbalanced. Also, some "semi-pro" gear will only run at -10, tho, it's becoming less common. Check the back of all the units, and/or the instruction manuals, to find out if all of them are running at +4.

In terms of TRS vs. XLR...for all intensive purposes, they're the same thing, with the exception of the type of connector. They both have 3 connectors(pos, neg, and ground), and therefore, both are running a balanced line. Hope this helps!

***Justin***

[Blue Bear Sound]

Couple of notes....

First, gain structure has nothing whatever to do with whether or not a line is balanced or not - it's apples and oranges. (It just so happens that most +4dBU gear interconnects with balanced lines, but it's not a given...)

Second, the expression is "...for all intents and purposes...", NOT "...for all intensive purposes!!"

(so kill me... I used to be an english major!)


Bruce

[maddrummer]

Cool...that's what I thought. Thanks a lot!!! Josh

[Flash]

If you check your gear and you can run at +4 then just do it.