3/4 alt vs. rca outputs

[curtis]

im currently running the behringer UB1204FXPRO[http://www.behringer.com/UB1204FX/index.cfm?lang=ENG] mixer and have a few questions regarding the outputs used in recording.

first of all, im looking at getting the e-mu 0404 or the m-audio audiophile 2496 and need to know the difference between the two in terms of their inputs. if i got the audiophile 2496, i would have to send a cable from my mixer's rca outs to my soundcard's rca ins? and if i had the e-mu 0404, i would just be sending it from the mixer's ALT 3/4 out to the 1/4" input on the soundcard? what are the differences, if any, between recording via the two separate outputs?

im pretty new to this, but im sick of using a 1/4" -> 1/8" adapter and need to know which card would be best for sending the signal from the mixer to the soundcard. also, which of the two cards would you recommend? i was first going to get the 2496, but then switched to the mindset of getting the 0404 due to someone convincing me otherwise.

thanks in advance.

 

[Jim Y]

Both of those cards are unbalanced, the only difference being the connector type. You would still need an adapter if the connector differs from the mixer output.

If I had that mixer, I would use ALT3/4 as a record send to the soundcard inputs.

 

[curtis]

so you're saying i should just get a card with 1/4" inputs as opposed to getting a card with RCA inputs?

also, are there advantages to using one over the other? i'm sorry for these questions but i like to know the ins and outs since i'm fairly new to this

 

[Jim Y]

The E-mu 0404 1/4" jacks are unbalanced, there is no advantage to those vice RCA. They are physically different designs but electrically identical - one signal + (hot) wire and one common Signal - (cold)/screen.

There is nothing wrong with connecting a 1/4" jack to an RCA. Far more important that the cable is decent quality, not too long and not routed close to transformers and computer cables.

The 1/4" jack sockets of the mixer are probably Balanced TRS type. The correct Jack looks same as a stereo one, but it's wired...
Tip - Signal + (hot)
Ring- Signal - (cold)
Sleeve - Ground/Cable screen.

If you want to match this perfectly, you need an audio interface which has balanced TRS connectors (Delta66, 1212M etc). In practice, it works well enough to connect a TRS to a soundcard with a mono jack-jack or jack-rca cable, depending on the connector type.