Balanced and Unbalanced Outputs - What is the difference?

Hear the difference between a balanced output and an unbalanced output. I demonstrate the difference in my studio by recording the same guitar riff using a normal TS instrument cable (TS = Tip, Sleeve) and a TRS cable (TRS = Tip, Ring, Sleeve). The result highlights the amount of noise which even a short, unbalanced cable run can introduce into your recordings.

[@lupcopaskoski5866]

All these years i never understood the difference. Thankyou so much for a simple down to earth explanation.

[@MWilsonsGameShow]

Best video I've seen explaining the difference!

[@Touchgrassplz]

loved the quick explanation! thanks!

[@kishend6278]

Amazing explanation 🙏

[@macdouglasdushime1815]

Amazing video, thanks a lot for the information 👏👏💯💯💯🔥

[@kre8a361]

LIKED, excellent lesson !!!

[@ChilloChill]

Thanks that was informative ❤

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Well done for sharing something that will help a lot of people. Let em know they don't benefit if the cables are decent shielded cables of 6m or less. If they have guitars with batteries then those instruments will have TRS jack sockets (2 grounds rather than 2 hots).

[@freddyguitar]

thank you, thank you, THANK YOU

[@priyansukushwaha5195]

Amazing

[@rickshearer]

Thank you!

[@claudioagmfilho]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻, Dude awesome video, thanks!

[@BooRat-ep5rn]

I think you are the right guy to ask, how do i connect my mixer which has a ts/trs output directly to passive speakers which has + - poles?

[@bullskull1166]

Question... Im getting the Aeros loop pedal that has L and R INPUTS and OUTPUTS, so would run TRS L and R OUTPUTS from synth into my L and R INPUTS into my loop pedal? Then TRS L and R OUTPUTS from my loop pedal into my mixer (2 separate channels)? Im asking bc i dont know if i should use TR or TRS cables... I also dont know if they make Cable that has 2 TRS into one cable to use one channel on the mixer... I cant find any info anywhere or i may be overthinking this... Please help!!!

[@iridium02]

So if my guitar amp modeler is going to mixer via xlr cable, I would not need TRS cable for less noise benefit right?

[@peteryousef5177]

can i use adapter. to change from TRS to TS or from TS to TRS ? can i use adapt to change from TRS to TS and connect it to guitar ?

[@lyledouglas8324]

Can I run a TS cable thru my line out on guitar amp to a mixer if it says TRS Balanced on line out? Just want some sound not perfection.

[@chuk90]

Good video! What if my wireless microphone receiver is connected with balanced XLR cables into the audio mixer and that mixer is connected with unbalanced cables into the speaker/AV receiver. Will I still hear noise when the microphone is on?

[@TaberTouring]

Thanks! Good question. Some noise can come from the unbalanced cables coming out of the mixer. My advise would be to keep those cable runs as short as possible if you can't use XLR/TRS. The good news is if you have a high amount of signal (high volume) coming from the mixer then the signal to noise ratio shouldn't be that bad.

[@brCharlieNagy]

Thanks for the explanation, I just don't understand if the noise is cancelled why the actual Audio signal is Not cancelled ... ? 😮

[@rewindseventyseven-en6iv]

.. because the signals are in "opposite" polarities. Example (+10mv) minus (-10mV) equals +20mV. The resulting signal has even doubled. If there is a superimpose noise of +2mV then (+12mV) minus (-8mV) equals +20mV. The result is still the original signal.

[@Lokjutus]

Cool info. Why aren't all cables balanced then? Seems reasonable you'd want less noise in any situation. Oh, and a question regarding stereo...since we need two different signals for left and right, we can't really reverse the other to cancel the noise, right? That means all stereo cables are unbalanced?

[@thetree1994]

All cables aren’t balanced because of cost. Balanced audio takes more expensive circuits and cables. And most often balanced cables are overkill. Stereo audio can be balanced, it just takes a TRRRS cable, whereas TRS is used for unbalanced stereo audio.

[@Lokjutus]

@@thetree1994 makes sense, thanks for clarifying that!

[@Krishntheguitarist]

What should I use for my guitar...???

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Just use a regular jack to jack. You would need to have a balanced output on your guitar and also in your amp to benefit in noise cut but you only get more noise if the cable is over 6/7 metres. Some effects use balanced inputs and stereo outputs for 2 amps in which case you would need a TRS jack socket in your Guitar. It does't make any difference if you use decent shielded cables that are 20ft. I found that using TRS socket on your guitar with a TRS cable can alter the tone for the worse. Keep it simple and use decent mono cables. The only ones you have to avoid are cables made for speakers to amp heads as they are usually unshielded and pickup everything like cb radios and cabs and fuzz(which csn be fun too).

[@Klocaine237]

Ass efx!?! Fuk Yeah

[@blackisblack22]

Yes but NOBODY explains if we can plug a balanced wire into UNBALANCED port and get any benefit of this. Creators are ignoring the elephant in the living room.

[@TaberTouring]

I have my theory but I think we should put this to the test. Any suggestions beyond just a sound vs sound comparison?

[@Santi-pm9hq]

​@@TaberTouring So i just can connect my output from the audio interface to the guitar pedal only doing it TRS on one side and TS on the other ?? or i need something to change the levels or something ??

[@YourHaloCreations]

What is an unbalanced input? It’s only looking for 2 connections, which are probably signal & ground. So, I would think no benefit by default.

[@kudzu1553]

Get rid of the stupid music and just get to it