Is There An Advantage To Running Balanced

[Smokepole]

Is there any advantage to running balanced if your final destination is unbalanced?

For instance, if I run balanced from my pre to my compressor, but then the input on my VS840EX is as best as I can tell unbalanced 14".

You have to use a transformer on the 14" inputs if you were to run a low imp. mic directly into them, so I take it that they are unbalanced. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Track Rat]

It doesn't hurt to mix balanced and unbalanced lines. The big advantage to balanced lines is its hum/noise rejection qualities. If you have long cables between gear, balanced is definately the way to go. Short runs, unbalanced is fine. The inserts in my console are unbalanced so placeing a compressor there is unbalanced.

 

[Roel]

Check your manual to know if it has balanced or unbalanced inputs. My roland VS1880 uses balanced 1/4" plugs (TRS plugs...). I use special cables to be able to take advantage of it.

I got lotsa special cables.

 

[Michael Jones]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong:
In A/C voltage, you have a black wire (hot) and white wire (netural) and a green wire (ground).
The black wire is 120v to ground, the white wire is 0v to ground.
Balanced systems are able to sort of split the voltage so that each wire or lead has 60v to ground, but they are 180 degrees out of phase, thereby rejecting any noise by mode cancellation.

I would think that if you have noise or hum in your system, then you'd want to explore balanced. Otherwise, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Smokepole]

My FMR compressor just came an hour ago. The connections on it are unbalanced. That kind of helps me make the choice right there. If I just go unbalanced, I have good 3-ft. monster studiolink cables already.

Also, now that Track Rat made me aware that cable length becomes an issue that really says the logical choice would be to stay unbalanced (just like my life). I'm only going 3ft. to the recorder.

Thanks again guys.

By the way first impressions on the RNC,,,, Smooooth.
You guys all really know your shit. I'm very thankful for this sight and all your help so far.

Joe