Balanced vs Unbalanced: Difference between revisions
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<div><h2>Introduction</h2> | <div><h2>Introduction</h2> | ||
Stereo, Mono, Balanced, Unbalanced | When talking about cables the terms Stereo, Mono, Balanced, Unbalanced refer to applications (how a cable is being used). | ||
XLR, Tip-Ring-Sleeve, Tip-Sleeve are terms that refer to | XLR, Tip-Ring-Sleeve, Tip-Sleeve are terms that refer to the physical connectors at the ends of the wires and how those wires are attached to the connectors. | ||
It's important to use the correct connections to support your application or you may end up with poor results. For example, if you connect a stereo signal to a balanced input, you may hear very little, or just effects with none of the original signal. | It's important to use the correct connections to support your application or you may end up with poor results. For example, if you connect a stereo signal to a balanced input, you may hear very little, or just effects with none of the original signal. | ||
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== Balanced Connections Preferred When Possible == | == Balanced Connections Preferred When Possible == | ||
; If both ends of a connection support balanced connections, then use a balanced cable (3 common options below). | |||
*XLR to XLR | |||
*1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve | |||
*XLR to 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve | |||
;Note: | |||
An unbalanced connection can be -6 dB lower signal level than a to balanced connection. | |||
=== Background Information === | |||
:A balanced electrical signal runs along three wires: a ground, a positive leg, and a negative leg. Both legs carry the same signal but in opposite polarity to each other. Any noise picked up along the cable run will typically be common to both legs. Assuming the destination is balanced, the receiving device will flip one signal and put the two signals back into polarity with each other. This causes the common noise to be out of phase with itself, thus being eliminated. This noise cancellation is called '''Common Mode Rejection''' and is the reason balanced lines are generally best for long cable runs. XLR and Tip-Ring-Sleeve cables are used to transmit balanced audio from one balanced device to another. | :A balanced electrical signal runs along three wires: a ground, a positive leg, and a negative leg. Both legs carry the same signal but in opposite polarity to each other. Any noise picked up along the cable run will typically be common to both legs. Assuming the destination is balanced, the receiving device will flip one signal and put the two signals back into polarity with each other. This causes the common noise to be out of phase with itself, thus being eliminated. This noise cancellation is called '''Common Mode Rejection''' and is the reason balanced lines are generally best for long cable runs. XLR and Tip-Ring-Sleeve cables are used to transmit balanced audio from one balanced device to another. | ||
:Unbalanced cables are less complicated, but they’re much more susceptible to noise problems. In general, unbalanced lines should be kept as short as possible (certainly under 25 feet) to minimize any potential noise that may be carried with the signal into the connected equipment. | :Unbalanced cables are less complicated, but they’re much more susceptible to noise problems. In general, unbalanced lines should be kept as short as possible (certainly under 25 feet) to minimize any potential noise that may be carried with the signal into the connected equipment. | ||
Source: <ref>[https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/cable-buying-guide/ Sweetwater Cable Buying Guide]</ref> | Source: <ref>[https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/cable-buying-guide/ Sweetwater Cable Buying Guide]</ref> | ||
== DO NOT Connect a Stereo Source to a Balanced Input == | == DO NOT Connect a Stereo Source to a Balanced Input == | ||
If you connect a stereo signal to a balanced input, you may hear very little, or just effects with none of the original signal. | If you connect a stereo signal to a balanced input, you may hear very little, or just effects with none of the original signal. A balanced input will take the left and right signals from a stereo source and combine them with reversed polarity (this is how balanced connections work). The result is sounds that are panned in the center (typically, vocals, drums, bass) will be cancelled. | ||
== Connections between Bose Portable PA Systems== | == Connections between Bose Portable PA Systems== | ||
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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. | ||
=== L1 Pro (all models) === | |||
[[File:L1 Pro32 Line Level Inputs.jpg|800px]] | |||
=== {{Model II}} === | === {{Model II}} === | ||