Right forum? Balanced cables question

[LemonTree]

I have a delta 1010 soundcard with 8 balanced i/o's. My mixer (Allen & Heath Saber 24/16/16/2) has balanced direct outs and balanced tape returns on XLR conectors.

I'd like to add a delta 410 to my setup giving me 10 analog in's and 16 returns but the connections on the 410 card are unbalanced RCA connectors.

I don't wanna go out and invest in the card if this will not work. I've been looking everywhere at wiring looms and can't find any dealer that stocks RCA to XLR. I was under the impression that an unbalanced and balanced source could still be connected but there would be no grounding?

Am I on the right track? will this work? and is it advisable?

Thanks,

Alec.

 

[wheelema]

As I understand it, you can't run unbalanced lines over any distance as they pick up noise, but I believe that you would have no issues connecting a device with unbalanced ports and one with balanced ports... just don't have them very far apart.

Hopefully you will get a more definitive answer soon.

 

[LemonTree]

thanks wheelema. My comp ir racked up under the board so we're talking a meter length with some to spare.

Alec

 

[LemonTree]

Boing


any more thoughts?