balanced/unbalanced cable

[fivedoor]

Jun 21, 2006 05:43 pm

I've finally decided to get cost efficient & make my own cables but could use some advise on what cable /connectors -balanced/unbalanced are best?

need to know cables what kind of cable are best for:

connect XLR to XLR/jack for mics into preamps

connecting preamps to a mixer /tape machine (jack to jack)

sending channel signals from tape machine to digital desk or visa versa via motu 828. . . .


can you use balanced cable for simple a guitar lead?

can you use balanced coaxial mic cable with mono jack connectors to create balanced lead??

any advice appreciated
thanks!

[JazzYoda]

Originally Posted by fivedoor

connect XLR to XLR/jack for mics into preamps

I use Mogami Star Quad cable and Neutrik connectors. Both blue wires pin 2 on both sides, both white wires pin 3 on both sides, shield braid to pin 1, both sides (and always connect the little tab to the shield to ground the XLR body and mic housing.

Originally Posted by fivedoor

connecting preamps to a mixer /tape machine (jack to jack)

Same as above, but I would only connect the shield to one end, most likely the mixer end.

Originally Posted by fivedoor

sending channel signals from tape machine to digital desk or visa versa via motu 828. . . .

same as as preamps to mixer

Originally Posted by fivedoor

can you use balanced cable for simple a guitar lead?

I have never tried this...I would most likely attempt to make a guitar cable using the largest Coax I could find connectors for, perhaps RG-8X

Originally Posted by fivedoor

can you use balanced coaxial mic cable with mono jack connectors to create balanced lead??

Unless the signal is balanced then balanced cables will not be balanced, they will simply be unbalanced cables with extra wire(s) for neutral. This is not necessarily a bad thing, I do it occasionally for unbalanced line-level signals.

[tINY]

You can use a twisted pair cable for guitar hook-up. In fact you can wire it up with a TRS on either end and still use it for ballanced lines.

One warning - Guitar cables is one place were cables can really change the sound. Especially if you are using it between a guitar with passive, high impedance pick-ups and an all tube amplifier.



-tINY

[Matt Syson]

Hi
Only use star quad for mic cables as the capacitance is often greater than less twisted cables definately NOT for guitars unless it is a bass. Check the capacitance values for various cables before purchase. Lower values are best for passing high frequencies.
Matt S

[JazzYoda]

Originally Posted by Matt Syson

Hi
Only use star quad for mic cables as the capacitance is often greater than less twisted cables definately NOT for guitars unless it is a bass. Check the capacitance values for various cables before purchase. Lower values are best for passing high frequencies.
Matt S

surely you must mean low frequencies.. capacitive reactance is inversely proportional to frequency. Inductive reactance is directly proportional

[Matt Syson]

Hi
No, a larger cable capacitance will 'short out' higher frequencies more than low frequencies.
If you don't believe me then put a 1 uF capacitor across the output of your mic or whatever, the HF will disappear.
Matt S

[fivedoor]

thanks 4 that btw!

i've ordered some cable & connectors

now i just need to brush up on my soldering

[frans]

For balanced/unbalanced interconnections you may want to have a look at a RANE technical note if you are not totally clear what to do/not to do:
www.rane.com/note110.html