Connections - Drum machine to Recorder

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jpib7

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Hi all,

I've been told that it is better to use 1/4" to XLR cables instead of 1/4" to 1/4" when connecting instruments into the digital recorder. So...

When connecting my drum machine into my digital recorder (Korg D16), should I use two 1/4" to XLR cables for the two tracks I will be recording - will this result in better quality. Or should I not waste my time and just stick with two 1/4" to 1/4" cables?

Thanks for the help!!
 
Im gonna assume that the XLR inputs on your recorder have mic preamps so you wont wanna go into there...youll want to go into the 1/4 inch line inputs.....
 
I suspect the only reason for using 1/4" -> XLR cables is that you can take advantage of the balanced inputs on your recorder. A balanced input has the ability to reject a lot of the noise picked up by the cables connectining the drum machine to the recorder. But like Gidge said, balanced inputs usually mean there is also a pre-amp in the signal path and I don't think you need to amplify your drum machine's output. You may be able to simply turn the trim down on the XLR input.

If the distance between your recorder and drum machine is fairly short and you are working in a relatively low noise environment I don't think the extra expensive of buying special cables is warranted. There's one way to find out though; use some 1/4" to 1/4" cables (you probably have some lying around) and see if you get more noise than you can tolerate.
 
Don't worry about it, 1/4" is fine. Making an adapter cable won't boost the signal to +4 anyhow. Use the recorders -10 unbalanced 1/4" inputs and enjoy.

There is no benefit unless you use a direct injection box to up the signal to +4 and transformer balance the output of the drum machine.
 
Yeah, it's not like you're running 100' from the DM to the recorder. Your cabling is not likely to pick up any noise for the short distance involved. Besides, it's a line-level unbalanced output for your DM. Unless you have something really vintage like an Oberheim or a Linn. I think those could be ordered with balanced outs. Still a line-level signal though.
 
Drum Machine

I've used drums machines in the past for recording, and I can tell you from experience, if you can afford it, use REAL drums.

The difference is one sounds like a drum machine, and one sounds like the real thing.

Dave
 
thanks!

Thanks for the advice all! I'll stick with the 1/4". The reason I was a bit confused is that someone told me before to use an XLR cable with my POD 2.0 - but I think the difference is that the POD has a balanced output where the drum machine (Zoom 323) does not...
 
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