Balanced and unbalanced inputs

[daveybabes]

Hiya, i have balanced and unbalanced inputs on my powered studio monitors, can u tell me what the difference is and what i can plug into them? i usually use the unbalanced with av connector for connecting mixer.

Thanks from Dave

[M_C_M]

Basic answer

Balanced cables have 3 wires hot cold and a shield which runs around the outside of the 2 and protects them from outside interference from radio frequencies etc. you would typically used balanced cable to run long distances where they are prone to interference like mic cables for example. Unbalanced cable have 2 wires hot in the center and a shield around it which carries the return signal and would be used for short runs like patch cables etc. and situations less prone to interference. Hope that helps...

[ige87]

Unballanced=mono Ballanced=stereo in the most basic terms. If you are running your module to the desk from anything other than the headphone socket either will do, but you need ballanced if you are running from the headphone socket.

[daveybabes]

Yep

Aha! thanks

[M_C_M]

Unballanced=mono Ballanced=stereo in the most basic terms. If you are running your module to the desk from anything other than the headphone socket either will do, but you need ballanced if you are running from the headphone socket.

what your saying is correct but a little off the track.

daveybabes is talking about the inputs on his powered monitors and the difference between a balanced and unbalanced signal to them. I was assuming they have the type of connectors that take xlr/mic cables which will give you a balanced line or jack/guitar cables which would be unbalanced, the same as my fostex monitors. Nothing to do with stereo/mono.

[daveybabes]

aha oh

Yeah the monitors have balanced inputs which have like a 1/4 inch jack and mike xlr ? type inputs

and unbalanced which are av inputs

mmm

just was wondering what can be plugged into those yep.

[M_C_M]

Yeah the monitors have balanced inputs which have like a 1/4 inch jack and mike xlr ? type inputs

and unbalanced which are av inputs

mmm

just was wondering what can be plugged into those yep.

You can plug anything you want into them, CD player, microphone, your drums etc. Its all about stopping RF interference, like when you pickup the radio through your guitar amp.

[ige87]

Oops, my bad! Misread the post, thought the OP askes about module-desk.