CONNECTING A GUITAR PROCESSOR USING BALANCED OUTPUTS vs UNBALANCED OUTPUTS

[JIMMYGJR60]

I have a Boss AD-8 which is an acoustic guitar processor. The manual shows using the two unbalanced outputs for connection to a multi track recorder. The only use shown for the balanced outputs is to a mixer. Can you use the balanced outputs to connect from the processor to a MTR or is there a reason they insist that you use ONLY the unbalanced outputs for connection to a sound card or MTR? What's the difference?

 

[mjbphotos]

If you have a balanced input on the recorder, you can do so. Note that the output of the Boss may be line level and your recorder may be expecting mic level, so watch your gain structure.

 

[miroslav]

... is there a reason they insist that you use ONLY the unbalanced outputs for connection to a sound card or MTR?

Do they really "insist"....or just recommend that as one way to do it?

 

[ecc83]

According to the "book" the AD-8 delivers -20dBu from both the balanced and unbalanced outputs* thus it matters not which you use, in fact you might struggle for level a bit!

There is hardly ever a problem in "unbalancing" either an input or output except of course you lose the noise cancelling property. This is only likely to show up however with mic signals or very long leads,>10mtrs say.

*The fact that the two outputs are the same and not 6dB apart tell me that it is an "impedance" balanced output, not a problem but matters even less if you unbalance it.

Dave.