Author Topic: Balanced / unbalanced? (Read 4373 times)

Window-Licker · « **on:** August 21, 2006, 08:34:29 AM »

As i stated in a previous post im looking to be buying some new gear for recording at home, mainly a soundcard, monitor speakers, and a new amp.

Im a little confused with things like the balanced/unbalanced plugin options.... mainly refering to the monitor speakers and also an eq rack ive been looking at, from what i can see, the difference is in the frequency responses and cable loads, from what i recall the balanced cables (mic cables) cant handle as much load as unbalanced (speaker cable)

The question is, what cable is best for the job? i mean "balanced" the word itself comes across as meaning the signal would be better quality, but the specs seem to show that its not as good as "unbalanced"

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2006, 09:53:43 AM »

balanced verus unbalanced is to do with the signal level. balanced lines operate at +4v while unbalanced lines operate at -10v.

what this means is that balanced lines have a better signal-to-noise ratio because of the seperate 'return' path. they are also required for using phamtom power (condenser mics). tip: if you are using condenser mics and have the phantom power switched on, you must use balanced lines with any moving coil mics (i.e. SM57) that do not require phantom power.

In a nutshell, always use balanced lines for mics cables and do the same for connections between rack gear if your gear can handle +4v.

:twisted:

Window-Licker · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2006, 09:57:43 AM »

Ah cool, but is it best to stick with speaker cable between the sound card and monitors? was mainly wondering if theyd make much difference

Johnny Mac · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2006, 12:18:19 PM »

^ Have a look on Maplins site for all your connectors.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2006, 05:44:30 PM »

Quote from: Window-Licker

Ah cool, but is it best to stick with speaker cable between the sound card and monitors? was mainly wondering if theyd make much difference

I'd imagine that the soundcard output to the monitors is via a balanced line - this is not speaker cable.

speaker cable has two cores (connectors) with no shield.

your typical 2-core (shielded) cable is used for unbalanced lines (i.e. guitar leads)

3-core (shielded) cable is used for balanced lines.

I think you need to do some reading up on this stuff to save yourself some grief. It's all pretty simple once you get your head round it.

:twisted:

Window-Licker · « **Reply #5 on:** September 02, 2006, 06:01:46 PM »

Thankyou for the feedback guys, still confused tho :-s looking at these cables,

http://www.theleadsfactory.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=47&products_id=202&osCsid=2d9e702b9f3fb2867adc4584ecdd0117

Ordering a lot of gear after my hols, setup will be,

guitar - line6 toneport - emu 1820m soundcard - alesis m1 520 monitors

Will later be adding a peavey 6505+ head and 4x12 cab, going through shure sm58 and 57 mics to the emus 2 mic amps built into the brakout box, and then adding a midi keyboard, lots of choices, could i get suggestions for the following scenarios?

*Guitar to toneport

*Line6 toneport to soundcard (analog outs, left and right from toneport to soundcard which has left and right inputs)

*sound card to monitors (soundcard has 2 monitor outs, left and right, monitors have 2 unbalanced 1/4 sockets, and 2 balanced xlr input sockets)

*peavey 6505+ to 4x12 cab (will be 2 cables to connect in stereo)

*2 shure mics sm58-57 to breakout box inputs

Sorry for the long post, i just want to get things working as best as possible, without spending money on replacing cables that dont work well.

Fubar · « **Reply #6 on:** September 03, 2006, 11:46:28 AM »

I've not got anything much to add to this thread (it's pretty much covered already) but - Window Licker - What a great name! :lol: