A/D Converter Help Please

[Golden]

I've got unbalanced signals from my reel to reel recorder going into my mixing board... The song is mixed...

I'm trying to mix down from analog to digital into the computer via an AD converter...

Now, can I run the stereo signal from my mixer's balanced main outs to the balanced ins on the AD converter (even though unbalanced signals were mixed in the mixer?)

Or, do I keep everything unbalanced?

Help! What's the best way to do this?

 

[travelin travis]

there's no reason to keep things unbalanced.

 

[Golden]

there's no reason to keep things unbalanced.

so, even though unbalanced signals are being used in the mixer, it's ok to send the stereo "main outs" on the mixer (balanced) to the balanced ins on the ad converter?

No signal problems there?

 

[MadAudio]

so, even though unbalanced signals are being used in the mixer, it's ok to send the stereo "main outs" on the mixer (balanced) to the balanced ins on the ad converter?

Yep.

No signal problems there?

Nope.

 

[travelin travis]

no problems there. but if there was any noise introduced as a result of using unbalanced connections between the tape machine and mixer, it will still be intact throughout the signal chain.

 

[Golden]

............................Sweet!

 

[Robert D]

Even if your outs on the tape deck were balanced, and you went into the mixer balanced, the signals become un-balanced right after they enter the mixer. Then they're converted back to balanced right before they leave. Keeping signals balanced throughout a mixer's circuitry would mean duplicating every circuit in the mixer, would be problematic, and wouldn't accomplish anything.

 

[Ford Van]

Keeping signals balanced throughout a mixer's circuitry would mean duplicating every circuit in the mixer, would be problematic, and wouldn't accomplish anything.

Some would argue this. Especially the companies that have painstakingly designed and produced true balanced signal path mixers!

Word has it that fully balanced mixers indeed are quieter!

 

[RAK]

Some would argue this. Especially the companies that have painstakingly designed and produced true balanced signal path mixers!

Word has it that fully balanced mixers indeed are quieter!

I suppose I've never given much thought to the idea of fully balanced mixers. Can you give some examples of companies/models out there that are?
Or do we only find this in large channel consoles?

 

[boingoman]

there's no reason to keep things unbalanced.

Some would argue that since many balancing schemes involve additional circuitry, an unbalanced path is actually purer.

But the problems of noise usually far outweigh any arguments along those lines.

 

[MCI2424]

Some would argue this. Especially the companies that have painstakingly designed and produced true balanced signal path mixers!

Word has it that fully balanced mixers indeed are quieter!

ONLY quieter IF there is RF or other noise that is present on both signal carrying lines inside the console. Otherwise, an unbalanced circuit is a better solution (simpler with less active components). A poorly designed console would contradict adding balanced circuitry as it adds considerable expense. Designers would definitely avoid this.

 

[Robert D]

While I think my assumption that Golden's mixer has an un-balanced signal path is pretty safe, I'm supprised to hear there's a line of mixers that uses a true balanced signal path. I'm not sure I see the point. Well, the point would be to avoid the diff amps or baluns, but in doing so you lose any common mode rejection, one of the specs I pay close attention to in evaluating gear. I guess in the right, EMI sterile environment, it makes sense.

 

[boingoman]

I'm not sure I see the point. Well, the point would be to avoid the diff amps or baluns, but in doing so you lose any common mode rejection, one of the specs I pay close attention to in evaluating gear. I guess in the right, EMI sterile environment, it makes sense.

I doubt a fully balanced piece of gear is supposed to act like a straight mic cable, passing any noise along. I would imagine the inputs and outputs are designed such that they take care of the noise. I don't see Rupert Neve designing a piece of gear that has noise on it's outputs, and letting the next piece in the chain take care of it.

 

[Robert D]

I doubt a fully balanced piece of gear is supposed to act like a straight mic cable, passing any noise along. I would imagine the inputs and outputs are designed such that they take care of the noise. I don't see Rupert Neve designing a piece of gear that has noise on it's outputs, and letting the next piece in the chain take care of it.

I can't really think of an induced noise reduction scheme that's more transparant than simple common mode rejection, though I'm no expert. We're talking high end stuff here I think, and the operating assumption may be that such a console is going to be parked in a high end room with Faraday cage built into the specs.

Ford V, got names?

 

[boingoman]

I can't really think of an induced noise reduction scheme that's more transparant than simple common mode rejection, though I'm no expert. We're talking high end stuff here I think, and the operating assumption may be that such a console is going to be parked in a high end room with Faraday cage built into the specs.

Ford V, got names?

All I'm saying is that the designers would balance the inputs to reject noise, then have a balanced path through the gear, and then have balanced outputs. Nothing exotic.

ps- Millenia HV-3D- fully balanced audio path, for one...