balanced or unbalanced?

  • Thread starter Thread starter geddgadd
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geddgadd

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I am going to invest in a soundcard. I'm thinking the EGOSYS u2a waveterminal. But it has unbalanced analog 1/4" inputs. I am planning to record vocals into the computer. I dont have a mixer, but I do have an ART preamp. Will unbalanced inputs work? Or will they only come out on one speaker?

thanks
 
Being balanced or unbalanced should make no difference in whether it is mono or stereo. Balanced lines should pick up less noise over distanced, and most balanced outputs use a hotter signal, but that's it.
 
by the way, does anyone have anything *bad* to say about the Ego-Sys U2A Waveterminal?
 
Balanced lines make a HUGE difference in a noisy environment...that is, an environment that is susceptible to lots of interference...like the environment directly in front of a computer monitor :)

Slackmaster 2000
 
At the input of your soundcard, it's gonna be at line level anyway so noise rejection qualities of balanced becomes 'less' of a concern. Unless the cable your running from the ART is super long (i.e. greater than 20'). So if your using the typical XLR balanced cable from your mic to the input of the ART you should be ok. Use a short cable at the output to your soundcard.

Unbalanced inputs on your soundcard will work fine, but don't limit yourself to unbalanced if you have the choice, never know when you may need the option. Most soundcards these days offer balanced/unbalanced, switchable -10 or +4 inputs/outputs. Surprised the egosys doesn't.
 
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I use 3ft cables between my ART or POD and the soundcard. The difference between using balanced and unbalanced cables is absolutely night and day.

+4 inputs are also very nice, especially with the ART which likes to put out.

Slackmaster 2000
 
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