Skol303 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I work pretty much exclusively 'inside the box' using software, so I'm a total dunce when it comes to wiring up anything in the real world... hence this call for help Ok, so I have a new combo amp that features a balanced XLR output socket (male: with three prongs). I want to use this to connect the amp to my audio interface - a Tascam US144-mkII, which features standard 1/4 inch jack input sockets. So... my question is, can I use a standard microphone cable to connect the XLR output on the amp to the jack input on the interface? I.e. a female XLR to 1/4" jack lead, [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stagg-SMC3XP-3m-XLR-Jack-Microphone-Cable-10ft-/331066708844?pt=UK_Musical_Cables_Leads_Connectors&hash=item4d151d136c"]like this one.[/url] Or do I need some other kind of XLR to jack cable? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 that'll do fine matey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted November 22, 2013 Author Share Posted November 22, 2013 Cheers Andy! And thanks for the quick reply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1385132190' post='2284832'] Cheers Andy! And thanks for the quick reply [/quote] No prob buddy, I know how these questions feel from the other side so speedy reassurance is a welcome thing One caveat / 'thing to watch' (that I've just thought of) would be to ensure that the input on your tascam is a mono jack (I presume this is the case) and not a stereo one just to make sure the signal is getting to the right bit of the jack to suit it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted November 22, 2013 Author Share Posted November 22, 2013 (edited) [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1385133536' post='2284852']One caveat / 'thing to watch' (that I've just thought of) would be to ensure that the input on your tascam is a mono jack (I presume this is the case) and not a stereo one just to make sure the signal is getting to the right bit of the jack to suit it...[/quote] Good call! I've checked the specs for the [url="http://tascam.com/product/us-144mkii/specifications/"]Tascam[/url] and the line-in sockets are designed for TRS-jack (balanced), so I'm guessing that's a stereo jack lead. In which case [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Livewire-3M-Stereo-Jack-To-Female-XLR-Cable-Balanced-Jack-To-XLR-Mic-Lead-/200949257499?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Cables_Leads_Connectors&hash=item2ec982551b"]this cable[/url] should do the job - ? Cheers, Paul Edited November 22, 2013 by Skol303 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1385136706' post='2284908'] Good call! I've checked the specs for the [url="http://tascam.com/product/us-144mkii/specifications/"]Tascam[/url] and the line-in sockets are designed for TRS-jack (balanced), so I'm guessing that's a stereo jack lead. In which case [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Livewire-3M-Stereo-Jack-To-Female-XLR-Cable-Balanced-Jack-To-XLR-Mic-Lead-/200949257499?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Cables_Leads_Connectors&hash=item2ec982551b"]this cable[/url] should do the job - ? Cheers, Paul [/quote] We're skirting the edge of my knowledge here now but it certainly looks like the right thing from their descriptions matey... Edited November 22, 2013 by andydye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted November 22, 2013 Author Share Posted November 22, 2013 Cheers dude. I'll take the plunge and order one... I'm sure it'll be alright - and I won't blame you if not! Much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1385140186' post='2284965'] I'm sure it'll be alright - and I won't blame you if not! Much [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1385136706' post='2284908'] Good call! I've checked the specs for the [url="http://tascam.com/product/us-144mkii/specifications/"]Tascam[/url] and the line-in sockets are designed for TRS-jack (balanced), so I'm guessing that's a stereo jack lead. In which case [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Livewire-3M-Stereo-Jack-To-Female-XLR-Cable-Balanced-Jack-To-XLR-Mic-Lead-/200949257499?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Cables_Leads_Connectors&hash=item2ec982551b"]this cable[/url] should do the job - ? Cheers, Paul [/quote] That should be exactly what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenitram Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Stupid question: just because something takes, or sends out on, an XLR cable, doesn't mean that it's mic level, does it. Or does it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 [quote name='Zenitram' timestamp='1385146949' post='2285078'] Stupid question: just because something takes, or sends out on, an XLR cable, doesn't mean that it's mic level, does it. Or does it? [/quote] Not necessarily matey, it may be a balanced signal but still might have more or less than the input will like. I prefer to have a level knob on any di send so I can make sure the desk gets the right line level signal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Any decent desk will have input gain controls and pad switches rendering a level control on the DI redundant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenitram Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1385148335' post='2285108'] Not necessarily matey, it may be a balanced signal but still might have more or less than the input will like. I prefer to have a level knob on any di send so I can make sure the desk gets the right line level signal [/quote] I don't quite know if that answered my question or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 [quote name='Zenitram' timestamp='1385146949' post='2285078'] Stupid question: just because something takes, or sends out on, an XLR cable, doesn't mean that it's mic level, does it. Or does it? [/quote] XLRs are used for many different signal levels. What you need is balanced cable, not a stereo. TRS jacks are used for balanced mono and unbalanced stereo, however the cable type is different for each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenitram Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 [quote name='obbm' timestamp='1385151202' post='2285159'] XLRs are used for many different signal levels. [/quote] Right, yes, as I suspected. Thanks. [quote name='obbm' timestamp='1385151202' post='2285159'] What you need is balanced cable, not a stereo. [/quote] Need for what? I don't follow. [quote name='obbm' timestamp='1385151202' post='2285159'] TRS jacks are used for balanced mono and unbalanced stereo, however the cable type is different for each. [/quote] Blimey. How can they be told apart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 [quote name='Zenitram' timestamp='1385151762' post='2285169'] Right, yes, as I suspected. Thanks. 1. Need for what? I don't follow. 2. Blimey. How can they be told apart? [/quote] 1. Not you, the OP. 2. Take the jack apart and have a look. A true stereo cable should be two separately screened co-axes. The balanced is a single screened pair or screened quad connected as pairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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