using balanced cable in an unbalanced output

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crosstudio

crosstudio

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i've discovered that the FW-1884 line-in will reduce my levels by around -6db if the gain is turned all the way down.

i took my RNP output and put it into the line-in, then put it in the insert of the 1884 to prove the above.

soooo, i want to use the insert instead of the line-in.

if i take a balanced (TRS) cable and connect it to the insert of the 1884 and put the other end into the unbalanced output of my RNP will i still get all of the sound from my drum machine (which is connected to the RNP) into the fw-1884? otherwise, i've got to do the partial cable insert trick, and i hate that.

also, if i take one of those Y cables, and connect one 1/4" to the drum machine, the TRS cable end to the mixer insert and leave the other 1/4" danglilng, am i screwing something up?
 
I think that will work. It won't hurt anything to try, that's for sure. Neither will leaving that other cable dangling. It might make some noise, though. You could use a balanced cable and connect the tip at the RNC end to the ring at mixer end. That will send your signal to the ring at the mixer end, which is the return for the insert. It will be like half an insert cable, sort of.
But I don't see why you wouldn't just turn the gain up a bit on your line in.
 
Anytime you unbalance a balanced signal by simply using an unbalanced cable your signal WILL drop 6dB. This is because you're literally throwing away half the signal by not passing the 2nd conductor...
 
boingoman:
i wanted to avoid the 1884 line-in so that i won't have the added noise of the 1884's gain circuitry since i'm not really using it. the insert is post gain.

blue:
so if i use a balanced cable from the RNP output to the 1884 line-ins (which are also balanced), i won't suffer the signal drop... however, i will have the added "noise" of the signal path from the 1884... but i'll take it. i'll either have the noise from the 1884 or the added noise of turning the RNP up 6db to compensate.

either of you recommend any particular brand of cable?
 
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