balanced and unbalanced audio signals in home recording

  • Thread starter Thread starter TheBones
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TheBones

TheBones

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hey there,

sort of a silly question but i'm just not sure based on the internet research i've done. i recently purchased a Presonus Tubepre as an upgrade from an ART studio MP preamp. i know that the correct way to hook up a mic preamp is through the line in on my interface. however on the Tubepre it has two outputs, one XLR out labeled "balanced" and a 1/4" out labeled "unbalanced". so i'm assuming that i would want to run an XLR to TRS cable from my tubepre to the line in on my interface seeing how it would be "balanced" as opposed to TRS to TRS cable from the "unbalanced" out. basically i guess i'm asking Do i always want to record from a balanced out as opposed to an unbalanced if possible? i would really appreciate any response. Thanks for your time!
 
You can go from a balanced out to an unbalanced in (which would unbalance the connection). There would be a slight drop in level but that's not a deal breaker. The only problems you could run into would be the possibility of picking up some noise. As long as your lines are under 10" or so you shouldn't have a problem. But as a rule of thumb, if you CAN use the balanced connection, do so. And yes, you'd use a XLR to TRS.
 
yep top tip right there. i was running unbalanced cables for over a year before and changed over grrrrrr
 
There are different ways of balancing (and unbalancing) signals, and they're not all totally compatible. Usually when this comes up I just refer to Rane Note 110.
 
If yur preamp has an 'unbalaned' 1/4" output, it's not TRS, only TS.
 
i'm not 100% on that one i have an older line 6 toneport ux1. i guess i just assumed which might be a bad thing. i've been at this a year or two but i don't feel like i'm using the equipment to the best of it's abilities. i'm running a blue spark into a presonus tubepre into the toneport to a laptop running sonar 6.
 
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