hi guys , well i am kind of newbie here
i want to connect my mic preamp to my soundcard, the preamp have two output unbalanced and balanced , which one i choose ,?
which one is better ?why ?
thanks in advance .
balanced versus unbalanced
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- KVRist
- 309 posts since 4 Feb, 2005 from uk
not sure of the advantages/disadvantages of each but if im not mistaken,i THINK that balanced is less prone to picking up noise.
Also i remember reading its good practice not to mix and match between balanced and unbalanced in your set up.
hope that helps!!!
Also i remember reading its good practice not to mix and match between balanced and unbalanced in your set up.
hope that helps!!!
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- Rad Grandad
- 38041 posts since 6 Sep, 2003 from Downeast Maine
what are the inputs on your soundcard?
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- KVRAF
- 1873 posts since 16 Jul, 2004 from Deepest Yorkshire
Connect balanced to Sonar, Unbalanced to Tracktion. 
Seriously, Balanced connections have 2 cores that carry the signal and one that is common/ground. The 2 signals have inverted phase (one is the negative of the other) so that they sum to zero when looked at together (i.e. the balanced cable as a whole). This reduces interference and means a cleaner signal.
Unbalanced connections only have a signal and a common/ground core.
Even if both types have the same shielding, the balanced signal will be clearer as it is less susceptible to inductance. This is the process whereby a constantly changing signal creates a magnetic field which in turn has a resistive effect on the signal which created it. By having 2 signals which are opposite and equal the field is cancelled out.
Match the connections with whatever your sound card has. Unless otherwise stated, it will probably have a stereo input. If you buy a splitter (maplin or kenable in the UK) you can convert this to 2 unbalanced mono connections.
More advanced is to use a stereo input with a balanced connection. You will need to check the wiring to figure out if the 2 signals go to the left and right channels and which one is phase inverted. This has no practical use apart from teaching you about the connection. Your sound card is probably not sensitive enough for you to notice the difference.
ADDED: Forgot to mention the signal level. Pro equipment has outputs/inputs at +4dB (or +4dBu), Consumer at -10dB (or -10dBV). These need to match for optimum signal and lowest noise, but you can mix them (and turn down the pro level). Your card is probably consumer and pro gear can have a switch to set it to either.
Hope it helps.
Nigel
Seriously, Balanced connections have 2 cores that carry the signal and one that is common/ground. The 2 signals have inverted phase (one is the negative of the other) so that they sum to zero when looked at together (i.e. the balanced cable as a whole). This reduces interference and means a cleaner signal.
Unbalanced connections only have a signal and a common/ground core.
Even if both types have the same shielding, the balanced signal will be clearer as it is less susceptible to inductance. This is the process whereby a constantly changing signal creates a magnetic field which in turn has a resistive effect on the signal which created it. By having 2 signals which are opposite and equal the field is cancelled out.
Match the connections with whatever your sound card has. Unless otherwise stated, it will probably have a stereo input. If you buy a splitter (maplin or kenable in the UK) you can convert this to 2 unbalanced mono connections.
More advanced is to use a stereo input with a balanced connection. You will need to check the wiring to figure out if the 2 signals go to the left and right channels and which one is phase inverted. This has no practical use apart from teaching you about the connection. Your sound card is probably not sensitive enough for you to notice the difference.
ADDED: Forgot to mention the signal level. Pro equipment has outputs/inputs at +4dB (or +4dBu), Consumer at -10dB (or -10dBV). These need to match for optimum signal and lowest noise, but you can mix them (and turn down the pro level). Your card is probably consumer and pro gear can have a switch to set it to either.
Hope it helps.
Nigel