Transformers?

[engmix]

I'm in the process of putting together a basic Tonelux setup. Below is a statement about the line modules from my gear dealer.

"The only difference is the MX2 D’s have a transformer balanced direct output, whereas the standard MX2’s have an unbalanced direct output and cost about $100 less a piece."

My question is do balanced direct outputs sound any different that unbalanced direct outs? Trying to save a few bucks, but will eat it if quality is effected.

thanks for any help.

[dbbubba]

If you run signal through a transformer it is going to sound different.

Transformers create a lot of the "magic" that people want/desire in vintage designs.

I have a racked pair of Sphere 1200 mic pres and 920 EQs and I added a Reichenbach 1:1 balancing transformer from a Quad8 console at each output.
I also have a 920 EQ pair that doesn't have the balancing transformers.
The sound different.

They may offer the transformerless version or a different app.

If you were summing a bunch of modules into a quasi mixer type rig un-balanced would be better maybe.
If you were going to use each module as a stand alone piece that maybe fed multitrack inputs or other devices in a chain the transformer version might be better.

[engmix]

Thanks for the explanation.

The setup is, the MX2's route into a summing module. So, are you saying that not having the transformers in that situation would be ideal? Because the summing module already has transformers in them?

[kyle barton]

my understanding of the difference is that the MX2 version has an unbalanced direct out while the MX2D version (the module WITH the transformer) has a balanced direct output.

i have 12 of the MX2 modules which i use to route my mic pres to my recording inputs. i don't miss the balanced option because my cable runs are short.

haven't heard the MX2D so can't comment on the sound difference. to me it was simply a difference in application.

need balanced direct outs? ...use the MX2D version
don't need balanced direct outs? the MX2 version works just fine.

tonelux rawks regardless

[engmix]

Kyle, thanks for the response! Glad to finally hear from a TLux user. I too have very short cable runs. From my understanding of the balanced direct output, is that it brings the output level up to +4. Since I will not be tracking through the MX2, there really is no need for it, although it sounds like you do track through it, and works really well....so I will try it anyway.

After much demoing and research, I did order the start of my tlux rig. 6 MX2, 1 FX2, SM2, and CR2. Will soon add eq and compression. Tonelux is pricey, but hey, you often get what you pay for. In this case, well crafted product, good sonics, and I really like that I can build on this setup. My goal is a maxed out 16 channel custom console. I do much of my mixing ITB, but miss the days of mixing on consoles. I have totally embraced ITB, but now can have both.

Cheers

[kyle barton]

those are my same goals with tonelux... a highest-quality 16 channel console that i can spread the cost of over several years. i'm debt averse.

next goal... faders. the more i use the tonelux, the more i realize they are a necessity for me to get the most out of the system.

glad you took the plunge on your 6x2x2... welcome to the family.

[rufus13]

Good transformers, well-implemented, are good. Much badness is suppressed by breaking metallic contact. They make the most difference on inputs (line or microphone), but transformer-out to a transformer-less input is better than no transformer at all.

Transformers worth using cost money, so cheaper designs rightly delete (awful) transformers and call this "a feature". Transformer-less balanced circuits can be good, but they will still be more expensive than an unbalanced circuit.

It's more complicated than this.

Research first (learn how and why it works), then buy. The other way is very expensive.

Horowitz & Hill "The Art of Electronics" and workbook are a good start.

Cheers.