Cabling it all up

[wounded horse]

Just finalising my rack setup for bass. I have:

Alto Stereo tube Preamp > LA audio 3 band parametric EQ > Phonic 3200 Limiter/Comp/Gate > QSC 1450 Power amp out bridged to Omni 212

On the Limiter on the back I have no choice of balanced(XLR) or 1/4 jacks (unbalanced) There are just the 1/4" jacks. Can I mix balanced with unbalanced? Or should I use 1/4 to 1/4 jacks all the way through the signal chain? Thanks for any advice forthcoming.

I also wish someone made a rack flap to swing over the masters on the QSC. Having said that, with all the EQ and comp/limiter variables, the front rack cover is going on when I'm not playing. Oh, and a photo of the settings, saved on the PC and in the rack, laminated, once I've got where I want to be sound and level wise. I don't fancy trying to set it up from zero in semi darkness 3 minutes before going on. Oh, and a BIG NO BEER ON HERE sign for the rack top.

[WB]

On the Limiter on the back I have no choice of balanced(XLR) or 1/4 jacks (unbalanced) There are just the 1/4" jacks. Can I mix balanced with unbalanced? Or should I use 1/4 to 1/4 jacks all the way through the signal chain?

I never worry about balanced lines at line level, which is what your signal will be after the preamp.

[Gregory East]

Check the specs on the limiter. I wonder if it's set up balanced TRS 1/4" style.

[jeffsco]

I'd go balanced everywhere I could. Since ditching a lot of my older unblanced gear / processors etc. , my PA's and monitor systems are dead quiet. I'm even considering switching to quad-core cabling to take it that one step further.

[bgavin]

Very short runs of unbalanced is acceptable. I don't do it, but it is still acceptable.
Note that introducing a single unbalanced component makes the entire signal chain unbalanced.

There is a lot of merit in rolling your own balanced XLR connections, especially for rack component interconnects.

[Zack Brock]

There is a lot of merit in rolling your own balanced XLR connections, especially for rack component interconnects.

+1 - I have been making all my own cabling now, and all balanced when I can. Much more economical to buy a roll of wire and a handful of connectors.

Me personally I would rather spend the extra time rather than the extra money. Which is what all DIY is about, right?

[BrentEvans]

+1 - I have been making all my own cabling now, and all balanced when I can. Much more economical to buy a roll of wire and a handful of connectors.

Me personally I would rather spend the extra time rather than the extra money. Which is what all DIY is about, right?

Yup, especially with Neutrik XLRs now at about $2.00 each, and really good Neutrik copycats at $1 each for permanent install, it's well worth it.

Although, there are some really good deals on quality mic cables on Ebay. I just ordered a batch of 20 ft whirlwinds for $5 each, free shipping, high rated seller. Can't beat that with a stick....

[guitarkeys.com]

+1 on making you own cables.

If anything, it's worth it to be able to eliminate the extra 200' feet that always seems to make its way into my rack case. Saves on troubleshooting and grief.

Jamie

[Monomer]

Wire my own racks? -yes


for simple cables like 1/4trs and xlr, I buy Pre-made cables from EWI.

Most are the quad-blue style with the EWI connectors. Never had a problems, and I've been rocking the same cables for 4 years now.



buying the quad cable and decent connectors would have run roughly the same price. The pride in making them isn't there, but me worrying about being out-of-phase is no longer an issue. I feel dyslexic sometimes when wiring, I swear.