Direct Boxes XLR to 1/4", sound degrading?

[Laa Lo]

I have a yamaha 01 digital mixer with 18 inputs, 9 XLR type and 9 1/4". I only need 2 of the XLR inputs. I was going to buy 7 direct boxes at $40 a piece to turn the XLR inputs into 1/4", and I was wondering if I might loose sound quality coming into the mixer. Has anyone used direct boxes? I looked at one made by BBE online and it uses phantom power(what ever that is) and I noticed I have phanton power on my mixer. Will I be able to power all 7 dirext boxes with this phantom power(does phantom power on a mixer usually power all XLR ports?).

 

[Dragon]

Er...

What do you want those direct boxes for...plugging into amps, I hope? You did mention you already have nine 1/4" inputs...

 

[Laa Lo]

I need more 1/4" inputs I will never utilize all the xlr inputs I only need on for the mic, I have more than 9 audio outs from various sources whih I need to run through my mixer and all the outs are 1/4".

 

[Dragon]

So why direct boxes instead of simply 1/4" to XLR adapters? Direct boxes are for plugging guitar amps into, usually.

 

[Fishmed]

If you are using gear that is balanced then you can get cables that are XLR (male or female) on one side and 1/4" (tip/ring/sleeve) on the other. But if you are connecting unbalanced gear like keyboards, then you can use standard 1/4" for that side.

 

[Laa Lo]

Thanks...I didn't know there were standard 1/4" to XLR cables.....I called Guitar Center and they told me the only to perform this conversion was to buy a direct box.



[This message has been edited by Laa Lo (edited 10-15-1999).]

 

[Dragon]

Well, they make a frog of a lot more money on direct boxes, don't they? Sheesh.

Whenever you have two connectors, there's an adapter between them that you can buy or make. Check out the "hot deals" section and you can probably wrap up the whole thing this weekend for $100 or so...