Wiring Apogee Ensemble to Patchbay questions

lean · 7th May 2008, 08:03 PM

Ok, so I've got an Apogee Ensemble. Its inputs and outputs are TRS connectors that can be set in software to either +4 or -10 line level. (I'm leaving out the mic and hi-z inputs just to simplify my question here.) I've got a Neutrik TRS patchbay. I've got a bunch of synths and rackmount effects, pretty much evenly mixed between unbalanced -10 and balanced +4. What I want to do is set up the patchbay in the most flexible way possible so that I can mix and match my unbalanced and balanced gear without too much problem.

Will the following work?

Connect Ensemble to patchbay with TRS balanced cables.
Connect -10 line level synths to patchbay with TS unbalanced cable.
Connect +4 equipment to patchbay with TRS balanced cable.

Then, depending on whether or not I'm using +4 or -10 gear, set the level in software, patch the connection on the patchbay and get to work.

Is this kosher? And can I get away with just using TRS balanced patch cables on the front of the patchbay? Like, if I wanted to connect an unbalanced synth, it'd go like this:

-10 unbal synth wired to patchbay output with TS unbalanced cable

Ensemble input wired to patchbay input with TRS balanced cable, set in software to -10

Connect ensemble input to synth output on patchbay with TRS balanced patch cable.

If you haven't figured it out yet I'm just really confused as to whether or not the chain of balanced and unbalanced cables is OK or not.

Roc Mixwell · 7th May 2008, 08:10 PM

Should be more than fine.....

I would wire all the un-balanced lines to balanced cable feeding the bay.
Pin's 1 [ground] and 3 [cold] should tie together at the un-balanced end.

lean · 7th May 2008, 08:21 PM

See, this is why I get confused..

So I shouldn't use plain old TS->TS instrument cable to wire the -10 synths into the bay?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

Should be more than fine.....

I would wire all the un-balanced lines to balanced cable feeding the bay.
Pin's 1 [ground] and 3 [cold] should tie together at the un-balanced end.

Roc Mixwell · 7th May 2008, 08:24 PM

You could certainly do that, I just like to wire everything balanced

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7th May 2008, 08:03 PM	#1
lean Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North Jersey Posts: 95	Wiring Apogee Ensemble to Patchbay questions Ok, so I've got an Apogee Ensemble. Its inputs and outputs are TRS connectors that can be set in software to either +4 or -10 line level. (I'm leaving out the mic and hi-z inputs just to simplify my question here.) I've got a Neutrik TRS patchbay. I've got a bunch of synths and rackmount effects, pretty much evenly mixed between unbalanced -10 and balanced +4. What I want to do is set up the patchbay in the most flexible way possible so that I can mix and match my unbalanced and balanced gear without too much problem. Will the following work? Connect Ensemble to patchbay with TRS balanced cables. Connect -10 line level synths to patchbay with TS unbalanced cable. Connect +4 equipment to patchbay with TRS balanced cable. Then, depending on whether or not I'm using +4 or -10 gear, set the level in software, patch the connection on the patchbay and get to work. Is this kosher? And can I get away with just using TRS balanced patch cables on the front of the patchbay? Like, if I wanted to connect an unbalanced synth, it'd go like this: -10 unbal synth wired to patchbay output with TS unbalanced cable Ensemble input wired to patchbay input with TRS balanced cable, set in software to -10 Connect ensemble input to synth output on patchbay with TRS balanced patch cable. If you haven't figured it out yet I'm just really confused as to whether or not the chain of balanced and unbalanced cables is OK or not.

7th May 2008, 08:10 PM	#2
Roc Mixwell Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Foxboro, MA Posts: 1,899	Should be more than fine..... I would wire all the un-balanced lines to balanced cable feeding the bay. Pin's 1 [ground] and 3 [cold] should tie together at the un-balanced end. __________________ Adam Brass Mercenary Audio adam@mercenary.com ________________ "Any opinions expressed above are worth exactly what you paid for them." Anonymous "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." Thomas Jefferson "If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward. Thomas Edison

7th May 2008, 08:24 PM	#4
Roc Mixwell Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Foxboro, MA Posts: 1,899	You could certainly do that, I just like to wire everything balanced __________________ Adam Brass Mercenary Audio adam@mercenary.com ________________ "Any opinions expressed above are worth exactly what you paid for them." Anonymous "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." Thomas Jefferson "If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward. Thomas Edison

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