TRS > TS using a patch bay

[bsmith23]

I have a lexicon mpx 500 which is patched into a behringer 96 point patch bay - TRS out of the lexi, and then TS out of the patch bay to the device I'm controlling. I've read that you don't want to use a ts out of whatever is carrying the cv because of risking voltage shorting the output.
Does this matter on a non-powered patchbay? It would be great to not have to use these big insert cables. It works, but I'm wanting to be careful on device safety - it at least gets the voltage on the ring away from the lexicon - right?

[os]

I assume your patch bay is wired TRS->TRS, so by plugging a TS cable into it, you're effectively shorting R to S, just as if you plugged a TS cable directly into the MPX500. I.e. badness.

[bg]

From Lexicon's knowledge base: "unbalanced cables are fine."
http://www.lexiconpro.com/knowledgebase ... &entry=563

When I bought my MPX500 in 2002(?) I was concerned about this too. Based on that knowledge base entry I've used TS>TS on the ouput ever since. No problems. And now I use the MPX this way for DC CV.

[bg]

Also:
http://www.lexiconpro.com/knowledgebase ... &entry=583

[os]

From Lexicon's knowledge base: "unbalanced cables are fine."

I'm sure they say that under the assumption that people are passing audio out of the box, not DC.

Unbalanced cables are fine for MOTU interfaces too, if you're outputting audio, but they're very clear that unbalanced cables are not recommended for DC.

My point to bsmith23 is that the patchbay changes nothing (unless it's specially wired).

[bg]

Yes, understood about the patchbay issue. Ah, sorry I didn't understand that the warning was specifically related to passing DC (as opposed to audio). Maybe I'll make up some special cables after all.