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comradec · 17th December 2006, 01:33 AM

I'm trying to solve a problem involving unbalanced connections in my home studio and I'd like to know if there are any products or techniques that could help me achieve this.

I own various synthesizers and a sampler that have unbalanced 1/4" phone jack outputs. They are all connected to a mixer (Behringer Xenyx 1832FX), which is connected to a multitrack recorder (Tascam 2488). The mixer and the multitrack have jack inputs that can accommodate either balanced or unbalanced plugs.

I have been advised that using balanced connectors could help minimise the electrical hum often present in unbalanced systems. However, as they use unbalanced jacks, I assume that balanced connectors would not be suitable for plugging in at the source end of the system, i.e. the synths/sampler.

Are there any products available that would enable me to convert 1/4" unbalanced phone jack outputs to 1/4" balanced phone jack inputs?

I know there are products around that convert to XLR, but that's no good for my mixer or multitrack, as they don't have sufficient XLR input jacks to make this practical.

17th December 2006, 01:33 AM	#1
comradec Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockton-on-Tees, UK Posts: 15	Unbalanced muso seeks therapy and advice I'm trying to solve a problem involving unbalanced connections in my home studio and I'd like to know if there are any products or techniques that could help me achieve this. I own various synthesizers and a sampler that have unbalanced 1/4" phone jack outputs. They are all connected to a mixer (Behringer Xenyx 1832FX), which is connected to a multitrack recorder (Tascam 2488). The mixer and the multitrack have jack inputs that can accommodate either balanced or unbalanced plugs. I have been advised that using balanced connectors could help minimise the electrical hum often present in unbalanced systems. However, as they use unbalanced jacks, I assume that balanced connectors would not be suitable for plugging in at the source end of the system, i.e. the synths/sampler. Are there any products available that would enable me to convert 1/4" unbalanced phone jack outputs to 1/4" balanced phone jack inputs? I know there are products around that convert to XLR, but that's no good for my mixer or multitrack, as they don't have sufficient XLR input jacks to make this practical.