rca mixer output to motu 828

[zappacrappisshh]

im looking at the allen heath and brennal cmc 24 mk1 16 channel mixer w/ 8 bus 6 aux send 1/4 inch and xlr inputs on every channel. BUT only rca outputs for every channel,, is that not good for 900 bucks? Do the rca jacks dilute the sound quality of all our anolog effects and preamps and phantom powered mics? does it not matter that all of t he outputs are rca going into a 1/4 inch motu 828 input. im woried that im trying to fit an elephant through a mousehole instead of fitting an elephant through a 1/4 inch jack that im posative can handle it with a standard grace.

what to do?

 

[bgavin]

RCA jacks are consumer-grade, unbalanced, -10dBV levels. TRS or XLR connections (can be balanced) and are +4dBU levels.

You can use a transformer accessory such as the Rane BB44X which does two-way conversions between RCA and balanced XLR. I have the 8 channel option in mine, and it works perfectly. Very useful box.

I use mine to convert the RCA direct-outs from our Ramsa console to balanced XLR for input into a PA mixer.

 

[TexRoadkill]

It's not guaranteed that the level is -10dbv only that they are unbalanced. They could be +4dbu but you would have to check the manual.

If your MOTU has a switch to accept -10 level then that's not a big issue. If you keep your cable runs shorter than about 6ft and use good quality cables then being unbalanced is not a big issue.

You can go in and change out the jacks to 1/4" if you are handy with a soldering iron. The whole operation should only take a few hours overall and a few dollars per channel. While you have it opened up it would be a good time to clean the pots and service the board anyway.