Splitting Bass With Blue Tube

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Abbott

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I was reading the Electronic Musician's review of the Blue Tube...they said since the Blue Tube has two outputs (1/4 and mic) for each channel, you can split a signal going out of it. So, would this be possible. Could I plug the bass into the blue tube, send out the 1/4 output into his bass amp so he and everyone else can hear while tracking and also send the mic input to one of the mic inputs into my four track, so you get DI bass. Would this work? Would it screw up the signal in any way? Also, if it does work, is it possible to get 1/4 cord extensions one really really really long (50 feet...) cable??? Thanks a lot.
 
In theory it should work fine. You dont want to run an unbalanced signal for 50ft though. If it has balanced outs you would be okay.
 
why not? i was planning on doing that for most of my stuff, but it all goes into either a mixer or preamp before it reaches the four track. If I doubled up mic cables, like connecting two 25 feet mic cables to make 50, would that be better?? I really don't know a lot about this...
 
Unbalanced lines are 2 conductor mono type cables that are usually 1/4" or RCA. They dont handle long cable runs well and shouldnt be more than 25'. That is even pushing it. 5-10ft is the best max. Unbalanced signals are more prone to interference from power lines and RF signals and will pick up hums and buzzes when you run them too far. You can run them longer with higher quality cables and being very careful about how you run them.

Balanced cables are usually 1/4" stereo or XLR. Mic's are balanced as are the outputs on most pro gear. They can handle runs of up to 1000' with good cable without any loss of quality.

This is a part of the whole expensive cable debate. Use cheap cables if its for short runs that dont cross over power cords and stuff. Use expensive cables in situations where you are pushing the limits.
 
sorry i must be a huge dumbass...is there any way you could find pictures of each one (balanced and unbalanced) so i could tell the difference...thanks so much
 
ummmm..... no. But if you search around at www.musiciansfriend.com or search for HOSA or Monster cable you will find some examples of both. They will call them balanced(stereo) or unbalanced(mono).
 
The first cable is an UNbalanced instrument cable. See how it only has one black band by the tip? That means it is a unbalanced(mono) cable. The balanced (stereo) cable will have 2 black bands and are also known as TRS (Tip Ring Sleeve) cables.

The second one is a Balanced XLR.

With the 1/4" type you have to make sure that the jack on your equipment is balanced or you wont receive any benefit to the balanced cable. The types of in/outs on your gear are usually listed towards the back of the manual in the Specifications section.
 
Does having balanced cable help if you have unbalanced gear? The presonus outs aren't balanced are they?
 
Two are and two are not. there are 4.

If you do go through the pre though the gain put on the unballanced cable may be suffice to run the whole 50 but I wouldnt do it that way.

I would go out the ballanced out and use the ballanced inputs on your recorder.
 
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