Balanced or Unbalanced?

usamike · 5th October 2005

I have some older gear that I'm wondering about the inputs and outputs? Balanced or Unbalanced?

1) Lexicon LXP-1
2) DBX 163x

Also, does anyone out there ever use the 163x? I have a pair and they're not worth anything so why sell them. I did a session for Ben Grosse a couple months ago and he had a pair. His engineer said they never really use them. I understand Tom Lord-Alge has them too.

Thanks,

Mike

Bones · 5th October 2005

Hey Mike.

Lexicon LXP-1 definately unbalanced (in and out).

Unsure about the 163x though.

Ciao

amino · 5th October 2005

It's usually pretty easy to find out. Just put a 1/4" plug slowly in the input or output. If there's a small "stop" about 1/4" or something before it's fully plugged in it's most likely a TRS jack and balanced. If not it's usually an unbalanced TS jack. Only "usually" though. I'm sure there are exceptions.

You can always put the TRS plug of an insert cable in an output as well and put the two other ends on two separate channel on a mixer. If you hear nada then it's balanced.

Subversounds · 25th November 2009

I might be very wrong, but i've heard in my classes here that the difference between good unbalanced and good balanced cables is that noise will increase in unbalanced cables only after 2 meters. Before that, they will sound the same.

Any truth about that? I'm looking for buying a second hand ATB with unbalanced direct outs, But i'm pretty sure the cables will be shorter than 1 meter before getting to the daw. Any problems in audio quality?

cheers from rio.

5th October 2005	#1
usamike Gear addict Joined: Apr 2005 Location: LA Posts: 479 Thread Starter	Balanced or Unbalanced? I have some older gear that I'm wondering about the inputs and outputs? Balanced or Unbalanced? 1) Lexicon LXP-1 2) DBX 163x Also, does anyone out there ever use the 163x? I have a pair and they're not worth anything so why sell them. I did a session for Ben Grosse a couple months ago and he had a pair. His engineer said they never really use them. I understand Tom Lord-Alge has them too. Thanks, Mike

5th October 2005	#2
Bones Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2005 Location: East London Posts: 190	Hey Mike. Lexicon LXP-1 definately unbalanced (in and out). Unsure about the 163x though. Ciao __________________ When thrown in the deep end, learn to swim, or learn to breathe underwater!!

25th November 2009	#4
Subversounds Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 849 4 Reviews written	I might be very wrong, but i've heard in my classes here that the difference between good unbalanced and good balanced cables is that noise will increase in unbalanced cables only after 2 meters. Before that, they will sound the same. Any truth about that? I'm looking for buying a second hand ATB with unbalanced direct outs, But i'm pretty sure the cables will be shorter than 1 meter before getting to the daw. Any problems in audio quality? cheers from rio. __________________ To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false titles, they call empire; and where they make a desert, they call it peace. - Tacitus 98 AD. Anything that is too stupid to be spoken is sung. - Pierre de Beaumarchais, 1775

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5th October 2005	#3
amino Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 644	It's usually pretty easy to find out. Just put a 1/4" plug slowly in the input or output. If there's a small "stop" about 1/4" or something before it's fully plugged in it's most likely a TRS jack and balanced. If not it's usually an unbalanced TS jack. Only "usually" though. I'm sure there are exceptions. You can always put the TRS plug of an insert cable in an output as well and put the two other ends on two separate channel on a mixer. If you hear nada then it's balanced.