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Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: paulbaptiste on August 05, 2009, 09:48:11 PM

Title: SBD CAbles/balanced unbalanced questions
Post by: paulbaptiste on August 05, 2009, 09:48:11 PM

Hey i've been trying to read up on SBD cables, and saw that great post showing everything i would need, but was curious of the balanced unbalanced thing.

I'm planning on getting an R-44.

So My original cable would be XLR to RCA and then all the adaptors after that.  I didn't see a balanced XLR to RCA Cable.  Only unbalanced, of course i may have not been looking in the right place.  So do i need to convert back to balanced, or i am i making this too complicated.  Thanks

Nick

Title: Re: SBD CAbles/balanced unbalanced questions
Post by: boojum on August 06, 2009, 02:12:23 AM

I bought a pair of RCA > TRS convertors at RadioShack.  Some SBD's are TRS so either way I am covered with my TRS > XLR cables.  I just connect 'em and they work.  I am a Liberal Arts major and all that stuff is way too compolicated for me.  You don't have to understand electricity to turn on the lights.       8)

Title: Re: SBD CAbles/balanced unbalanced questions
Post by: H.A.V.E. on August 07, 2009, 03:20:30 PM

RCA is by nature unbalanced.  So, even a converting adaptor only converts the physical connection- it doesn't turn an unbalanced signal into a balanced one.  That said, yes the signal path will work- it just won't be balanced.  Balanced lines and connections are more important for long runs, and helps where there's lots of possible radio or electro-magnetic interference.

Title: Re: SBD CAbles/balanced unbalanced questions
Post by: Teen Age Riot on August 10, 2009, 09:22:28 AM

The R44 has XLR inputs, right?
If so, for most of the bigger boards, all you'll need is two standard XLR>XLR cables.
Of course, you should always have a complete set of adapters in your bag, just in case. But I can't even remember the last time when a console I was patching from required 1/4 or RCA plugs.

Title: Re: SBD CAbles/balanced unbalanced questions
Post by: paulbaptiste on August 10, 2009, 08:23:10 PM

ya the last plug in i had was RCA, so i'm thinking xlr's from the r-44 to RCA, then adaptors after that.  Anybody got an XLR to RCA Cable they wanna get rid of?

Title: Re: SBD CAbles/balanced unbalanced questions
Post by: Diamond_D on August 13, 2009, 01:03:10 PM

I went to guitar center and bought a pair of Hosa XLR-RCA adapters

http://www.beachaudio.com/Hosa/Gxf-132-p-107934.html?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gxf-132&utm_content=atr

1 pair of 1/4" to RCA adapters

and a 6' run of RCA male-to-male cable, now I'm covered for XLR, 1/4", and RCA outputs (I've used all three this year) and only have 1 cable to carry around

Title: Re: SBD CAbles/balanced unbalanced questions
Post by: batchain on August 21, 2009, 03:20:15 PM

Quote from: Diamond_D on August 13, 2009, 01:03:10 PM

I went to guitar center and bought a pair of Hosa XLR-RCA adapters

http://www.beachaudio.com/Hosa/Gxf-132-p-107934.html?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gxf-132&utm_content=atr

1 pair of 1/4" to RCA adapters

and a 6' run of RCA male-to-male cable, now I'm covered for XLR, 1/4", and RCA outputs (I've used all three this year) and only have 1 cable to carry around

Yep, same here. This covers any kind of feed you may encounter with just one cable.