Where to put the weakest link?

phmosele · 5th December 2012, 06:54 PM

Hi

I have a crossover that only has XLR ins and outs, but I have an equalizer that only has 1/4 TS in/out. Wherever I put this eq it's going to go unbalanced. I don't have a problem coming up with a T/S to xlr patch cable, but I am concerned that it may have an impedance problem. The amp spec has an input of 10K unbalanced and 20K balanced, so I don't think the amp is going to complain.

Someone I know is selling a crossover that has balanced TRS in and out and again I don't have a problem coming up with a patch cable, but on the back of the crossover it says "Use 2-conductor shielded cable only." I've always thought of "2 conductor" as being a simple guitar cable, but I suppose in this instance it means "2 conductors and a screen" correct?

Thanks
Phil

pinkmouse · 5th December 2012, 07:41 PM

Can you not use the EQ as an insert on the masters?

Enzo · 5th December 2012, 11:19 PM

A wire, a guitar cord has two conductors, but in signal parlance, it is a single conductor shielded. Two conductor shielded is common old microphone cable.

You now have a crossover with only balanced I/O. You are considering getting a different crossover that also has balancedi?o. Other than different connectors, both units have balanced ins and outs. SO why get the new crossover?

SO I see a mixer feeding the EQ, then to the crossover and on to the power amps. Unless you are running the crossover outs down a snake to remote power amps, all your connections will be short. So the advantages of balanced cables will not be particularly large.

I suggest you get appropriate cables, just hook it up, and see how it performs. Most of this sort of stuff, and especially in a small PA system, is remarkably tolerant of impedances.

phmosele · 6th December 2012, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enzo

A
You now have a crossover with only balanced I/O. You are considering getting a different crossover that also has balancedi?o. Other than different connectors, both units have balanced ins and outs. SO why get the new crossover?

No, not another crossover. it was the equalizer I was worried about, but I had someone pull it out and check the back and it has 1/4 jacks that say "bal/unbal, so I will just run a TRS-to-xlr patch cable from the EQ to the crossover

Thanks
I did consider putting it in the mixer inserts BTW. It would have worked too.

5th December 2012, 06:54 PM	#1
phmosele diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2012	Where to put the weakest link? Hi I have a crossover that only has XLR ins and outs, but I have an equalizer that only has 1/4 TS in/out. Wherever I put this eq it's going to go unbalanced. I don't have a problem coming up with a T/S to xlr patch cable, but I am concerned that it may have an impedance problem. The amp spec has an input of 10K unbalanced and 20K balanced, so I don't think the amp is going to complain. Someone I know is selling a crossover that has balanced TRS in and out and again I don't have a problem coming up with a patch cable, but on the back of the crossover it says "Use 2-conductor shielded cable only." I've always thought of "2 conductor" as being a simple guitar cable, but I suppose in this instance it means "2 conductors and a screen" correct? Thanks Phil

5th December 2012, 07:41 PM	#2
pinkmouse diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chatham, England	Can you not use the EQ as an insert on the masters? __________________ Al I conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is more than the proper thing to wear, for a while. Charles Fort

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5th December 2012, 11:19 PM	#3
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	A wire, a guitar cord has two conductors, but in signal parlance, it is a single conductor shielded. Two conductor shielded is common old microphone cable. You now have a crossover with only balanced I/O. You are considering getting a different crossover that also has balancedi?o. Other than different connectors, both units have balanced ins and outs. SO why get the new crossover? SO I see a mixer feeding the EQ, then to the crossover and on to the power amps. Unless you are running the crossover outs down a snake to remote power amps, all your connections will be short. So the advantages of balanced cables will not be particularly large. I suggest you get appropriate cables, just hook it up, and see how it performs. Most of this sort of stuff, and especially in a small PA system, is remarkably tolerant of impedances.