(This is almost identical to a post I posted sometime ago, but I can’t find it back at the moment using the search)
It’s very easy to make a balanced XLR-to-Unbalanced RCA adaptor. This will help you if you want to connect +4 outputs into the Tascam 38, or if you set your board to -10, to connect a pre with +4 balanced outs to the board. But it doesn't help you the other way, -10 to +4, obviously. All you need are:
- XLR connector (Male or female, depending on what you’re connecting)
- Male RCA connector or ¼” phone jack, depending on what’s on the other side
- ¼ watt 4.7k ohm and ¼ watt 1.5k ohm metal film resistors
- Desired length 2-conductor, shielded Coax cable
All the parts are available at Radio Shack, or Mouser, DigiKey, etc. This takes balanced +4 dBm (Pin 2 hot) to unbalanced –10 dBv RCA or 1/4" plug. You can put the resistors inside the XLR connector. Since some devices are pin-3 hot you can do it that way too. Just make sure you know what the equipment on the balanced side is wired as. Excuse my sloppy drawing.