line output to xlr mic input

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Hey, newbie here, just a probably simple question for anyone that knows what they are doing. (iow, anyone besides me) I want to hook up the 1/8" line out signal from a laptop to an XLR mic input jack in a room for doing presentations from the laptop. I know that the signals are different, and just wondering what i can do to connect the two. Thanks!!
 
bogusblackman said:
Hey, newbie here, just a probably simple question for anyone that knows what they are doing. (iow, anyone besides me) I want to hook up the 1/8" line out signal from a laptop to an XLR mic input jack in a room for doing presentations from the laptop. I know that the signals are different, and just wondering what i can do to connect the two. Thanks!!


More than you will ever want to know about the subject.

http://www.rane.com/note110.html

Don't forget the 1/8" jack on your laptop is unbalanced stereo. If you want stereo into the sound system you will need to use two mic inputs. Don't just short the left and right channel output from your laptop to make a mono signal.

Here is more about wyeing audio signals/

http://www.rane.com/note109.html

Phil
 
The Rane notes are very good but I didnt see them addressing the difference in signal levels.

Assuming that the XLR input (female XLR connector) is truly a mic level input, your going to need about 30 dB of attenuation to match the levels.

Our friends at Tandy sell this little "gem"

http://www.radioshack.com/product.a...name=CTLG_011_002_016_000&product_id=273-1374

at under $4 , its definitely a POS, but I have had surprisingly good results with it when used in similar applications.

-Dave
 
Da5id4Vz said:
The Rane notes are very good but I didnt see them addressing the difference in signal levels.

Assuming that the XLR input (female XLR connector) is truly a mic level input, your going to need about 30 dB of attenuation to match the levels.
-Dave

Umm, I've never seen a piece of gear with an XLR mic input that didn't also have a trim or gain pot. Typical range on these pots is 0 to 60 dB of gain. Don't forget that pro audio gear uses +4dBu for the zero level while consumer audio gear uses -10dBu for the zero level.

I connect consumer audio gear to audio mixers on a regular basis and have never needing to add an external pad to do so.

Phil
 
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