Fun cable question -- Dual 1/4" TRS mono (balanced) +4dbV to Single 1/8" TRS -10dbV

[kierkegaard0]

Fun cable question -- Dual 1/4" TRS mono (balanced) +4dbV to Single 1/8" TRS -10dbV

I am learning all about cables tonight. I have learned not enough to be confident, but enough to be anxious.

I want to go from:

Two 1/4" TSR mono (balanced) outputs at +4dbV
to
One 1/8" (3.5mm) TRS Stereo input at -10dbV

The source is a Digi 002r. The destination is a consumer computer soundcard. I want true stereo, hence why I'm trying to go for a Y-style cable.

Questions:

1) What is the best way to do this?

2) Can I use a standard Dual 1/4" TS mono (unbalanced) > 1/8" (3.5mm) Stereo TRS cable?

2a) Okay to use TS cable (unbalanced) in a fixed balanced output?
2b) Do I lose 6dbV headroom by using a TS cable (unbalanced) in a fixed balanced output?
2c) Is the +4dbV output to -10dbV input a problem, or do I simply keep the volume low on the output signal and no problemo?
2d) Is it cool to lose 6dbV headroom if the signal is too hot for -10bvB anyway?​

Thank you for educating the uneducated.

Kindly,
Kierkegaard

 

[mjbphotos]

Yes, you can use option 2a. Keep your Digi output volume low to start. The fact that you are outputting to a 1/8" built-in soundcard in a computer tells us you are not looking for superior sound (despite using a superior rack unit), so why worry about headspace, etc?
the better question would be why you are not trying to outfit your computer with a Firewire card to use the Digi correctly?

 

[kierkegaard0]

Oh, I have a firewire card. This line-in connection is just one small piece of a larger operation. I am trying to get a live audio feed into my computer from Pro Tools so that I can stream the audio live over Justin.TV with video. All I have on my computer soundcard is a 1/8" mini jack. Of course, the right way to go would be to buy a higher end computer soundcard that will let me do what I need. But, the wallet is empty and I trying to resort to what I have. I'm certainly not too worried about the audio quality of an internet video stream. The high end stuff stays in the high end universe, and the computer video stream stuff is second-rate

 

[Bobbsy]

Just to add a note of caution, are you sure that 1/8th inch mini jack on your computer sound card is line level stereo? In cases where that's the only input, there's a darn good chance it'll be mono mic level designed for Skyping etc.

If it DOES turn out to be line level stereo, in the past I've bodged together a solution using a commonly available 1/8th stereo to 2 x RCA adaptor cable then two TRS to RCA cables. FAR from elegant or ideal but it's got me out of a fix in a few live sound situations.

 

[Auralsects]

Just to add a note of caution, are you sure that 1/8th inch mini jack on your computer sound card is line level stereo? In cases where that's the only input, there's a darn good chance it'll be mono mic level designed for Skyping etc.

If it DOES turn out to be line level stereo, in the past I've bodged together a solution using a commonly available 1/8th stereo to 2 x RCA adaptor cable then two TRS to RCA cables. FAR from elegant or ideal but it's got me out of a fix in a few live sound situations.

Most modern computers have auto select that any output can be switched to mic or line input... bear in mind its -10, for consumer line level. The reason this is important is if you set in to non unity with YOUR gear, you get a higher noise floor. It's a shame that consumer and prosumer line levels convo's have NOT been stickied. I think the BO wants strife..