You’re far better off to use the unbalanced line level signals *unless* your cable runs are over 25’ or so, -OR- you are having actual issues with induced and unwanted noise interference. I need to save the following diatribe to a note somewhere so I can copy and paste it when needed because I’ve typed it so many times over the years. Balanced audio does not in and of itself create some sort of “mojo” or make the audio sound “better”, except in the case where there is induced noise interference, because that is generally regarded as bad sounding, so abating is generally considered an improvement; “better”. But it’s not like balanced audio sounds better than unbalanced. The quality of a signal path is entirely dependent on the design of the circuit and the components used whether balanced or unbalanced. Balanced signal paths were developed by the telephone industry since, in that case, prior to digital technology, telephone lines were analog and thousands of miles long in some cases…LOTS of opportunity for unwanted noise induction there. The concept was adopted by the broadcast and audio recording industries for similar reasons…large facilities with multiple rooms and hundreds of feet of cable runs…think of a multi-story building housing a TV station. In that case it’s necessary. Now jump to folks like you and me…relatively small rooms, or in some cases a desk in a room with everything right there…2m or maybe 3m cable runs…generally balanced audio is just not necessary. And people still think they have to have it or use it because it’s “better”. And the reality is, if you have a choice, and the balanced audio is not necessary, using the balanced pathway is typically *worse*…sending the signal through unnecessary amplifier stages adding unnecessary noise and distortion. And in *your* case you’re using a mic amp as your input amp…which is bound to be noisier than a line amp…worst of all worlds. Tascam (and many other companies) offer a pad function on a mic amp for greater flexibility whether it’s the need to pad a hot phantom powered mic, OR use the mic input as a balanced line input. But that really should be an “in-a-pinch” solution, and not chosen when it’s not needed. Just use good quality unbalanced interconnects and connect the interface to the unbalanced line inputs. Your signal will be more clean and there should not be an issue with induced noise if your cable runs are 2m, 3m…even up to 8m in length.
