Difference between revisions of "Balanced vs Unbalanced"
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| − | One source of confusion is that a cable with a | + | One source of confusion is that a cable with a {{1/4 TRS}} jack on one end may be used for several applications (examples) |
* Stereo headphones (left and right sides of a stereo signal) | * Stereo headphones (left and right sides of a stereo signal) | ||
* Mono balanced connection (hot and cold signals) | * Mono balanced connection (hot and cold signals) | ||
* Insert (send and return) | * Insert (send and return) | ||
| − | Whether or not a cable with a | + | Whether or not a cable with a {{1/4 TRS}} plug is stereo or balanced (mono) or an insert cable depends on how it is being used and the electronic interfaces at both ends of the connection. |
== Connections to Bose Portable PA Systems == | == Connections to Bose Portable PA Systems == | ||
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[[Image:T1_Inputs.png|200px|T1 Inputs|right]] | [[Image:T1_Inputs.png|200px|T1 Inputs|right]] | ||
* Channels 1, 2, 3 XLR inputs are balanced. | * Channels 1, 2, 3 XLR inputs are balanced. | ||
| − | * Channels 1, 2, 3 1/4" jacks are unbalanced (but will accept | + | * Channels 1, 2, 3 1/4" jacks are unbalanced (but will accept {{1/4 TRS}}) the connections are still unbalanced. |
| − | * Channels 4/5 are balanced, but will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve. <br>If you use a | + | * Channels 4/5 are balanced, but will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.<br>If you use a &{{1/4 TS}} cable from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced. |
If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable. | If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable. | ||
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=== {{Model II}} === | === {{Model II}} === | ||
[[Image:Analog Input 3.png|200px|Model II Analog Input|right]] | [[Image:Analog Input 3.png|200px|Model II Analog Input|right]] | ||
| − | * Model II Power Stand Analog input is balanced. <br>It will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve. <br>If you use a | + | * Model II Power Stand Analog input is balanced. <br>It will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.<br>If you use a ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced. |
If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable. | If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable. | ||
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=== {{Model 1S}} === | === {{Model 1S}} === | ||
[[Image:Analog Input 3.png|200px|Model 1S Analog Input|right]] | [[Image:Analog Input 3.png|200px|Model 1S Analog Input|right]] | ||
| − | * Model II Power Stand Analog input is balanced. <br>It will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve. <br>If you use a | + | * Model II Power Stand Analog input is balanced. <br>It will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cabe; from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.<br>If you use a {{1/4 TS}} cable from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced. |
If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable. | If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable. | ||
Revision as of 02:35, 12 March 2019
Contents
Terminology
Stereo, Mono, Balanced, Unbalanced are terms that refer to applications (how a cable is being used).
XLR, Tip-Ring-Sleeve, Tip-Sleeve are terms that refer to connections (the physical connectors at the ends of the wires and how those wires are attached to the connectors).
One source of confusion is that a cable with a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack on one end may be used for several applications (examples)
- Stereo headphones (left and right sides of a stereo signal)
- Mono balanced connection (hot and cold signals)
- Insert (send and return)
Whether or not a cable with a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve plug is stereo or balanced (mono) or an insert cable depends on how it is being used and the electronic interfaces at both ends of the connection.
Connections to Bose Portable PA Systems
T4S ToneMatch mixer
- Channels 1, 2, 3, 4 XLR inputs are balanced.
- Channels 1, 2, 3, 4 ¼ inch (6 mm) jacks are balanced
- They will accept 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Sleeve jack Tip-Sleeve connections and the connections will be unbalanced.
- Channels 5 and 6 are balanced, but will accept 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Sleeve jack Tip-Sleeve.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Sleeve from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable.
T8S ToneMatch mixer
- Channels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 XLR inputs are balanced.
- Channels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ¼ inch (6 mm) jacks are balanced
- They will accept 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Sleeve jack Tip-Sleeve connections and the connections will be unbalanced.
- Channels 9 and 10 are balanced, but will accept 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Sleeve jack Tip-Sleeve.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Sleeve from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable.
T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine
- Channels 1, 2, 3 XLR inputs are balanced.
- Channels 1, 2, 3 1/4" jacks are unbalanced (but will accept 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve) the connections are still unbalanced.
- Channels 4/5 are balanced, but will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you use a &1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Sleeve cable from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable.
L1 Model II
- Model II Power Stand Analog input is balanced.
It will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you use a ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable.
L1 Model 1S
- Model II Power Stand Analog input is balanced.
It will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve cabe; from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you use a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Sleeve cable from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable.
L1 Compact
Compact Channel 2 1/4" jack input is balanced.
It will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve.
If you use a ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced.
If you use a ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you use a ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable.
S1 Pro System
S1 Pro Combo Inputs (1/4 inch / 6 mm Analog inputs) and XLR are balanced.
They will accept ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve or Tip-Ring-Sleeve jacks.
If you use a ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced.
If you use a ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you use a ¼ inch jack Tip-Sleeve from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.
If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable.
References
Unbalanced vs. Balanced Lines - Whirlwind
Interconnection of Balanced and Unbalanced Equipment Bill Whitlock, Jensen Transformers.
Sound System Interconnection RaneNote 110
Balanced, Unbalanced, Stereo? what are they? Sweetwater.com > Frequently Asked Questions
Balanced vs Unbalanced Interconnects audioholics.com
What's the Difference Between Balanced and Unbalanced aviom.com