Making cable for balanced/unbalanced connections....

[rekloos]

I'm just starting to make my own cables so this is new to me.
Here's the scenario:

-the console has unbalanced inserts
-the compressor [Valley International Dynamite 2] has
balanced ins and unbalanced outs - according to other
people on GS -
-the cable will be : stereo 1/4 in. trs for inserts split
into mono 1/4 in. ts for in and out of the compressor.

My question is how to choose the right connectors and
cable for this type of configuration? Balanced? Unbalanced? Do i need conversion of sorts?

I'm just getting into outboard gear so bear with me....


thx.

[atiller]

Soundcraft - Professional Audio Equipment

Check out those couple of PDFs. All your cable wiring questions should be answered!

[Barish]

Balanced to unbalanced: Pull the cold (-) to GND. The rest is going across straight away.

Unbalanced to balanced: Hot (+) to Hot (+). Unbalanced GND to Cold (-). Leave Balanced GND loose. You'll lose 6dB.

M.

[rekloos]

oh yeah! that's some good info.
i've printed those pdfs, they'll be coming in
handy in the future.thx for the help guys

barish, just so i know we're n the same page:

-balanced OUT of mixer to balanced IN compressor
-unbalanced OUT compressor to balanced IN mixer

[Barish]

The type of the device doesn't matter. You wouldn't connect a compressor different than an EQ module or anything else.

That's how you connect balanced out-to-unbalanced in and unbalanced out -to-balanced in.

Use unbalanced out to balanced in scenario for the send as I explained above.

Your return is unbalanced all the way anyway, so bring that one in as it is.

For insert end, you'll need a TRS 1/4". For the comp end, two TS 1/4" will do.

M.

[rekloos]

Got it.
Actually, after pulling the mixer manual out i've found out the inserts are unbalanced as well.....sorry.

So i'm lookin online for cable/connectors and some of these places have way too many options, too much for
my expertise. It seems like redco.com
have fewer and easier to choose.
Do you guys recommend other places or just what type,
make, model to get?

[Barish]

Unless it is a high end large console, the inserts are generally unbalanced anyway, so don't worry about it, I understand. That's why I'd advised you to use unbalanced to balanced for the send in the first place. You couldn't possibly have a large console and ask such questions.

Just get something oxygene-free. Klotz, Sommer, VanDamme, or whatever you have over there in Yankistan. They are all pretty much the same. There are only a handful of copper wire factories out there in the world and everybody is getting theirs pulled in one of them, to their preferences. Chances are that the two brands that you can't seem to choose one from were made in the same factory for their respective brands' budget/quality/quantity/packaging specs anyway.

If you can see the specs, pick the ones with smaller internal capacitance and resistance and maximum interference isolation. 95% is usually the standard for braided screen types, and 100% for foil screen types there. The maximum I'm prepared to pay for these things is £1 per metre here in the UK, and that's when I am extravagant. Usually 75p-80p per metre. I don't know the American prices so I can't comment.

For jacks, stick to Neutrik if you have the space. They are a bit fattier than those generic ones and better. The standardsetters anyway. But if the space is an issue, then get the slimmer unbranded ones, but still the quality is proportional to the price in those plugs. Try to get turned parts rather than cast ones.

Good luck.

M.

[rekloos]

No, it's not a large console, just an Allen&Heath System 8 and needs some loving right now but that's a different topic......

So this is what i was looking at getting:

Redco Audio

seems to be made for my application and the price is right. what do you think?
can't find the specs on it though.

[rekloos]

Sorry, i meant this one:

Redco Audio