Xlr 1/4

  • Thread starter Thread starter DonaldChang
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DonaldChang

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I was talking to someone earlier today, and he said I should track the instruments out of my computer and keyboards via XLR instead of 1/4, because it's better quality...the thing is this guy is known to be a shit-talker who doesn't know what he's talking about...is he correct :confused: ?
 
It depends on how long of a cable you are using.

XLR = Balanced

1/4TS = Unbalanced

Balanced cables can go longer distances without the signal losing strengh. A Unbalanced cabled can't go as far.

That being said I was using a 6' unbalanced cable from my keyboard to the line in on my preamp and it worked however; when I used a 3' Unbalanced cable to a passive DI Box then came out the DI Box on a XLR cable to the Pre. I noticed a BIG differance my the quality of my sound.

So in this case I believe the "shit talker" is correct.
 
Insufficient data, dude. First, 1/4" cables come in 2 types, TS (tip-sleeve) and TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve). 1/4" and XLR outputs can be balanced or unbalanced (yes, some boxes have unbalanced XLR's). What matters is not whether the connections are made by XLR or 1/4", but whether they are balanced or unbalanced. It only becomes important with long runs of cable, like 30 feet or more. If you plug a 1/4" TS cable into a balanced 1/4" output, there is a slight loss of gain, about 6db, which in the greater scheme of things, is negligible. I don't know whether your friend is clueless, because from your post, I'm not sure you understood what he said. For most studio applications, connections can be made by XLR or 1/4", and balanced connections are usually preferred as a matter of habit.-Richie
 
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