Balanced 1/4" Output --> Unbalanced 1/4" Input of 4-Track: The Best Way?
Balanced 1/4" Output --> Unbalanced 1/4" Input of 4-Track: The Best Way?
After reading 3 different articles explaining the mechanics of balanced vs. unbalanced outputs/inputs I still don't understand what the best option is here.
My 4-track Portastudio has UNbalanced (-10db) 1/4" inputs. My mixer (and other devices) have balanced (+4db) 1/4" outputs. What's the best way to connect these things to my 4-track? Is there any risk of damaging the 4-track in this scenario?
My 4-track Portastudio has UNbalanced (-10db) 1/4" inputs. My mixer (and other devices) have balanced (+4db) 1/4" outputs. What's the best way to connect these things to my 4-track? Is there any risk of damaging the 4-track in this scenario?
- markjazzbassist
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Re: Balanced 1/4" Output --> Unbalanced 1/4" Input of 4-Track: The Best Way?
what mixer and what portastudio models do you own?
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Re: Balanced 1/4" Output --> Unbalanced 1/4" Input of 4-Track: The Best Way?
Read this one yet?
http://www.rane.com/note110.html
See "the next best right way to do it".
Unless you notice problems you're probably fine, but to be sure you could get a transformer isolator like the ART T-8 which would give you 4 isolated channels going in and 4 out.
http://www.rane.com/note110.html
See "the next best right way to do it".
Unless you notice problems you're probably fine, but to be sure you could get a transformer isolator like the ART T-8 which would give you 4 isolated channels going in and 4 out.
Re: Balanced 1/4" Output --> Unbalanced 1/4" Input of 4-Track: The Best Way?
It's a 424 mkii Portastudio and an Alesis Studio 24 mixer. I'm interested in general what the best way to feed the (usually) unbalanced inputs of old tape machines with the balanced outputs of newer mixers and preamps.
Re: Balanced 1/4" Output --> Unbalanced 1/4" Input of 4-Track: The Best Way?
Thanks, that's a great resource, although it seems mostly to address issues of unwanted hum and noise.Magnetic Services wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:24 amRead this one yet?
http://www.rane.com/note110.html
See "the next best right way to do it".
Unless you notice problems you're probably fine, but to be sure you could get a transformer isolator like the ART T-8 which would give you 4 isolated channels going in and 4 out.
Apart from hum/noise are there any other implications of the hotter +4 db balanced output feeding the -10db unbalanced input?
- markjazzbassist
- tinnitus
- Posts: 1050
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:33 am
- Location: Cleveland
Re: Balanced 1/4" Output --> Unbalanced 1/4" Input of 4-Track: The Best Way?
yeah it's a hotter signal so you'll be overdriving the preamps. +4db is 1.2 volts, -10db is 0.3 volts, pretty large difference there. you need something like this
http://tascam.com/product/la-80mkii/
or this
https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-8-Channel ... B002MZOWV4
that lowers/raises it safely without introducing artifacts or effecting the sound.
http://tascam.com/product/la-80mkii/
or this
https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-8-Channel ... B002MZOWV4
that lowers/raises it safely without introducing artifacts or effecting the sound.
Re: Balanced 1/4" Output --> Unbalanced 1/4" Input of 4-Track: The Best Way?
Hmmm.
Wuzzit me, cheap and lazy as I am, I'd just try it from all settings at "0", see if it works - I mean, plug in and go.
Disclaimer: If it blows up, I'll feel bad.
Wuzzit me, cheap and lazy as I am, I'd just try it from all settings at "0", see if it works - I mean, plug in and go.
Disclaimer: If it blows up, I'll feel bad.
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