TRS and TS jacks

[eurochild]

I recently bought a pre-amp to use injunction with my condenser microphone so I can record directly to hard drive.

The pre-amp asks for TRS jacks but I only have TS jacks - is a TRS jack a stereo lead with two bands on the end of each connector?

My computer has no ports for the size of a TRS jack, the line in and microphone ports take [mono I think] leads, do I need to buy an adaptor?

 

[Track Rat]

I have no idea what's on your computer but a TRS jack in this context is not stereo but balanced mono (tip= +/ ring= -/ sleeve= ground). TS connectors are unbalanced.

 

[eurochild]

So if I purchase a TRS jack would I need a 1/8 adaptor for line in [I think it's called a 1/4" Stereo Jack to Stereo Mini Plug]

 

[chadsxe]

Are you using the stock sound card with your computer.

TRS is for balanced connection and TS is unbalanced.

I think what you need is a 1/4 1/8th adapter.

 

[Farview]

So if I purchase a TRS jack would I need a 1/8 adaptor for line in [I think it's called a 1/4" Stereo Jack to Stereo Mini Plug]

Yes, this might be what you need. What kind of preamp do you have? If you are trying to run a balanced signal into a stereo line in on a stock soundcard, it really won't work.

 

[Chewie]

Are you using the stock sound card with your computer.

TRS is for balanced connection and TS is unbalanced.

I think what you need is a 1/4 1/8th adapter.

If he uses the adapter that will still work? Because most likely the line in is stereo. You could check the windows mixer settings because it wouldn’t have a left/right balance if the input is mono (I don’t think).
If it is stereo I don’t think it would work because the input would be expecting two signals (left and right).
If it’s mono would it still work? I mean the input will only have two connectors. One for the tip and one for the sleeve. I suppose it might just take the one signal and be unbalanced. Is this really so?

 

[Farview]

If he uses the adapter that will still work? Because most likely the line in is stereo. You could check the windows mixer settings because it wouldn’t have a left/right balance if the input is mono (I don’t think).
If it is stereo I don’t think it would work because the input would be expecting two signals (left and right).
If it’s mono would it still work? I mean the input will only have two connectors. One for the tip and one for the sleeve. I suppose it might just take the one signal and be unbalanced. Is this really so?

If it is a mono unbalanced input, it will work. It will just be unbalanced. If the input is stereo, it will not work, the left and right will be out of phase.

 

[radiorickm]

terminoligy

well, we really need to clarify a couple of things here....

#1 TRS/TS/XLR are all terms that refer to a TYPE of jack/plug, not the size. You can have both 1/4", and 1/8" TRS jacks and plugs....

#2 Working down the chain, you should have an XLR cord connected between the microphone and the pre-amp ESPECIALLY if you are supplying phantom power to the mic.

#3 When you leave the pre-amp, you will either be taking a "MIC" level signal, or a "LINE" level signal. Be sure to match the output signal TYPE to the soundcard INPUT type...ie put the mic out to mic in, line out to line in, which ever you use.

#4 When you go into the computer (99% of generic soundcards are this way) you will go either into a MONO MIC input (on a TRS Connector, it supplies a control voltage for condensor mics on the other contact), or you go into a stereo LINE input on a TRS connector.

#5 Most of the time, it is highly recommended to use the LINE level input insted of the MIC level input, because this goes around the CHEAPER mic pre's on the sound card, and you get a cleaner signal.

#6 MOST, and i say again, MOST of the time, it is not a problem to use a TS cable even when the signal is balanced (supplied on a TRS connector) be sure to read your manual and check.

#7 If your mic pre is MONO, which it is most likely is, when you go into the computer, you will only go into one side of the TRS connector (if you use the line input as recommended)

#8 Yes, you can use a TRS (stereo) cable with a 1/4" STEREO to 1/8" STEREO adapter on the other end to match the stereo input on the sound card.

#9 One last anatomy point, JACKS are the females of the species, and PLUGS are the male counterpart

Hope this helps you to clear things up a little

 

[Toki987]

here`s some diagrams that might help the imagination a little.

http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/connection/xlr-jack-mono.html