Connecting to inputs 5-8 on my digi002...

[JoyMODE101]

hey everyone.

i'm a little confused on something

ok...say for example that inputs 1-4 on my 002 are taken up.


now....say i have a mic/keyboard/or whatever going into an external preamp and need to connect to input5.

when i go out from my preamp into input5, what's the best way to connect them? using a balanced cable...right?
also....i would put the switch on input5 to "+4"??

but then here's what's troubling me:
let's just say i only have an UNBALANCED cable to go from the preamp to input5...would i still leave the input5 switch to "+4", or do i changed it to "-10".
i'm thinking it stays on "+4", but i just wanna make sure.


please let me know!

thanx a bunch :-D


_chris

p.s.
i have a Bryston 3B amplifier.
what would be the pros/cons of connecting my digi002 balanced to the amp rather than unbalanced?
cuz....the amp has balanced inputs (XLR) AND unbalanced inputs.

i was gonna buy some trs to xlr cables to go balanced...but, the only reason i know of why i should be doing that is to reduce noise....that sound right?

[albee1952]

Use balanced cables from balanced sources. Otherwise, unbalanced is fine as long as you keep the cable length reasonable. Most external mic pre's are capable of outputting +4 so I would start there. You can always switch back and forth to provide the best signal (according to meters in PT). If you patch in a keyboard or drum machine, I would expect -10 to work better. Balanced cables should be more quiet under any given setup. You give up by going unbalanced, which is much more affected by noise and hum.

[JoyMODE101]

cool.

thanx!

so...is it right to say that equipment with BALANCED outputs operate at +4 and unbalanced gear (like my MPC2000xl) operates at -10?

if so...then, what would happen if i went out of my gear that DOES have balanced outputs with an UNBALANCED cable? would i still leave the switch on the digi002 at +4? or since it's now unbalanced, would i have to change it to -10?




_chris

[JoyMODE101]

anyone?
anyone?



_chris

[albee1952]

No problems using unbalanced cables on TRS equipped boxes. As for -10 and +4, refer to my earlier post and simply use the setting that gives the proper meter reading(i.e. input level). Also, set the sound source outputs above halfway to start, and adjust as required.