Recording Engineer
Moderator
Yes, you can mix both balanced and unbalanced gear, but...
Now that I think about, what I said was wrong. Here's the right way:
To connect an unbalaced output to a balanced input, simply solder the "hot" from the 1/4" or RCA (phono) to the "hot" which is pin2 (XLR) or Tip (TRS) and connect the ground from the 1/4" or RCA (phono) to the "cold" which is pin3 (XLR) or Ring (TRS) and solder the "cold" which is pin3 (XLR) or Ring (TRS) and the ground which is pin1 (XLR) or Sleeve (TRS) together.
To connect a balanced output to an unbalanced input, it is even more complicated.
If it's an balanced output, "connect pin2 to the inbalanced input, and pin 1 to ground, leaving pin 3 floating. If this doesn't work, connect pin3 of the output to pin1 and ground and leave pin 2 connected to the unbalanced input center pin." As a general rule though, don't use this technique for microphones. Use a differential stage or transformer.
Now that I think about, what I said was wrong. Here's the right way:
To connect an unbalaced output to a balanced input, simply solder the "hot" from the 1/4" or RCA (phono) to the "hot" which is pin2 (XLR) or Tip (TRS) and connect the ground from the 1/4" or RCA (phono) to the "cold" which is pin3 (XLR) or Ring (TRS) and solder the "cold" which is pin3 (XLR) or Ring (TRS) and the ground which is pin1 (XLR) or Sleeve (TRS) together.
To connect a balanced output to an unbalanced input, it is even more complicated.
If it's an balanced output, "connect pin2 to the inbalanced input, and pin 1 to ground, leaving pin 3 floating. If this doesn't work, connect pin3 of the output to pin1 and ground and leave pin 2 connected to the unbalanced input center pin." As a general rule though, don't use this technique for microphones. Use a differential stage or transformer.