Balanced vs Unbalanced Cables: Everything You Need To Know!

[@MatsueMusic]

Very much the best explaination of Balanced, Unbalanced, what cable to use when, and even some "leveling up" tips.

[@wisteela]

Fantastic. Very informative. I'd not thought about the transformer effect before.

[@AFoxinSpace]

Gosh, never knew any of this. I've been dealing with a lot of noise and "coil hum" from my computer when using my analog synths on a USB audio interface, with unbalanced guitar cables, of course. Thank you for the helpful video. Bought a pair of the cables earlier today, and the noise is 100% gone, even at really high gain.

[@annother3350]

'Unbalanced Jack' used to be a wayward cartoon character in a UK music magazine

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Aka Jack Nicholson

[@SittingDucksBand]

Nice Scott - the tip about the ground loop from different sockets is something I'd never thought of.

[@unclejerrysworld]

You're an amazing teacher Scott and I, like many others I see commenting here really do appreciate the time you take to explain things in a way that's really easy to remember! I'm glad to say I am currently ordering all balanced cables for my new synth home studio.... I have learned so much from your videos and in many cases you confirmed my personal research as I planned my studio (I like to call it my retirement Man Cave even though I'm not married anymore!! LOL!!) You always take the time to respond and help... and I will tell you... it sure is appreciated by many!!! Thank you again!

[@Ribbonium]

Another great video, Scott. You are an excellent teacher and I am happily learning things from you. Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing your knowledge.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Thank you for your kind words!!

[@Klaus2m5]

I used the very same trick with an unbalanced output rewired to balanced inputs on a Yamaha MX49 where the noise is introduced by the ground from the USB connection to the PC. Works like a charm.⚡In the early days I used to tape off the ground connection on the power plugs but that is somewhat illegal and may be dangerous to your health. 😵

[@Jobotubular]

nice - especially appreciate the wiring diagrams, showing what you were talking about

[@TherasiaGeorion]

I learn so much from these videos. Thank you so much Scott. You're a great teacher.

[@NyakzOTSD]

This was perfect

[@henrykuppens9097]

Thank you, for explaining this. I had an issue that ended up being an internal amp problem. I bought a set of monitors and one of them produced a 50 Hz noise when warmed up. When you just bought your gear and connecting cables it can be quite confusing. No signal cables attached is a way to check if it's something else then cables.

[@8Steady]

Than you for this clear explanation. It's the best thing i've found on the subject. Great video.

[@Geepstar]

Ok. Thanks Scott. Now I have to re-organize my studio. Haha. Oh no. I use balanced cables mainly. But now I know why. 🥳

[@K.Reimann]

I really had trouble understanding the whole balanced/unbalanced thing. You did a great job of explaining in a video how the whole thing works and what I have to do in which case. For me it's also about connecting various synthesizers to a Behringer x32 (as seen in your video) Thank you for the explanation. Video is liked and i subscribed to your channel Greetings from Germany Kurt

[@MemoGrafix]

Great Explanation. I am considering simply switching out all of My TRS Cables to Balanced. I was wondering if I could make do with both or not. So far I don't have issues with distortion/humming but I figured I will at some point. I don't have as much equipment as You, but it is growing.

[@craigturb]

Thank you Scott. Wonderfully informative video - I have been meaning to sort out my cables for some time, so this is exactly what I was looking for. I even heard a radio show coming through my headphones the other day, so something is definitely not right! 😀

[@disjunction-rz8gr]

First time viewer - love the intro, great info. Thanks.

[@nelsonclark6824]

Thanks, Scott, very informative and helpful! So many of us do not know all this but we should! Naclark Philadelphia

[@Miicrowahvei]

Thank you for very clear explanation and mentioning the DI box!

[@jeffbaumet794]

This is really interesting and makes sense. In fact , I redid my whole studio with 6 synths including several multi out units using only balanced cables. The issue was major noise much of which I traced to usb cables. I struggled for weeks until I read somewhere that balanced cables can produce excess noise in synthesizers. So I switched out all my synthesizers to unbalanced cables and the problem went away. I’d be interested in your thoughts on this.

[@odmusicman]

Excellent Scott. Despite our comfort in our knowledge, it is always important to review as life in music trends to pull us away from remembering important fundamentals. It is why certain important professions make you re-certify your skills regularly. Joe

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I am also a licensed commercial pilot. I know all about currency and recertification. :)

[@odmusicman]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Oh, then next time you are going to be near Aruba.....

[@jeremy8936]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Ha! funny, I was watching this and thinking to myself you remind me of my dad in the way your mind works.. he was also a commercial pilot and flew 747 Jumbos for a living as a flight engineer :)

[@jaysire]

Thanks for a great video! This did indeed remove some of the fuzziness in my understanding of the matter. However, some still remain, like: - How does stereo / mono cables enter into this? I have never seen a 3.5mm to 2x 6.3mm be "balanced" in the 6.3mm end. Are there balanced / unbalanced stereo cables? Would that mean ground + four signal cables in one cable and would the mono ends have TRS configuration? - I have som really noisy synths and other instruments (like the Roland MC-101 and the 1010 music Bluebox (which is a compact mixer). They are USB-cable driven and that seems to be a recipe for noise. If I run these off a usb battery instead of from the computer or extension cord with USB, they are completely silent. Where does this huge amount of noise come from? The MC-101 even amplifies the noise when more leds light up.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Generally speaking, any "stereo" cable is a consumer-grade unbalanced cable. Most professional audio is all mono, and you can run two mono lines to give you both a left and a right. Just because you see three conductors on the plug end, don't think "stereo" - think "balanced." I have never seen a balanced "stereo" connector, or heard of one. As for the noisy synths with USB cables - I covered that in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoS5mKCMpNCkZ80

[@valleyken]

Excellent explanation.

[@stitchmywoundz17]

thankyou so much for explaining this so well! Fascinating and very useful info!

[@bcalenda2609]

Glad you also discussed grounding and different circuits. Good video. Maybe you will do a video on DI Boxes…?

[@AT-wl9yq]

Here's the basic concept. Balanced and single ended operation are not compatible. Balanced has 2 hots ++ and a ground -, and single ended operation just has one of each. When you connect a balanced and SE component, something has to be done with the extra signal. You can either make the connection balanced on both ends, or single ended on both ends. That's where a DI box comes in. You plug a single ended connection into it, and it converts the signal to balanced. It makes everything compatible on both ends. I think where some of the confusion comes into play is most people focus on the cable. Cables are not balanced. Any 3 conductor cable can carry a balanced signal. The 2 components that you are connecting determines if the connection is balanced, not the cable. Overall this was a great video, but there were a couple of things I don't agree with, and its related to DI boxes. If you notice towards the end, he talks about mixing Bal and SE connections. He goes into somewhat of a grey area in that he may need to modify the cable by cutting the ground to make it work, or something similar. The reason this only works sometimes is because there are several ways to wire a balanced connection. Problems can be unique to one way, and not the other. In the video he showed that it's common practice to combine one of the signal conductors with the ground. Doing that can create a short circuit when power runs through the cable. You're combining a + and -. Not only will you hear the problem as noise, in some cases damage may occur. If you don't want any headaches, just use a DI box for all your mixed connections. If you want more detailed information, do a search for rane balanced vs single ended. The results will lead you to a paper by Rane. They go over all of the details, and show wiring diagrams for all the different types of balanced connections.

[@LilHoss]

I've always thought of those cables as "mono"and "stereo"?

[@tcttvradio]

So good! I’d love to chat about putting an xlr mic connection on a pc case!

[@amirarsalannassiri3680]

Great explanation! Thank you 🎉

[@photorealm]

I get how a fairly simple flipflop type IC can switch the phases in the mixer thanks to the drawing provided in this video. BUT What wizardry flips the phase in the source device that uses XLR balanced connectors. Like a microphone. There is no current to drive circuitry except for phantom powered mics. Say a Shure 58 mic with no phantom power? Great video BTW, a lot of really useful tips in there.

[@tonyrobertsguitar]

Wow! This is what I needed to hear! My PreSonus audio box has been crashing during livestreams. Not sure if it’s PC related or too much voltage altogether. Do you still recommend plugging all “larger” devices into same outlet even if I am using all balanced cables? I may have made a mistake thinking I needed to utilize 3 separate for powered monitors, PC, interface, and amp. Do multiple small adapters for effects and other things cause problems as well? I feel like I have way too many wires and I tried to cluster them together to avoid tripping hazards. Maybe that’s my 2nd mistake? Lol

[@Atomxtube]

Hy bro, great explanation about cables, but i need some advice. I got a pair of audio monitors (presonus eris), they were a cheaper quality option than a pair of standar stereo speakers for my pc. The question is: What would be the cheapest way to use them with a balanced audio signal, without using an expensive audio interface. Since I only want to listen to quality music, avoiding the deadly noise from my computer or notebook.

[@XxChrisxXBedofRazors]

Thanks for this insight! Can you talk about about Power Conditioners on another vid?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I already did: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWbGfZSsl8upjNU

[@XxChrisxXBedofRazors]

@@ScottsSynthStuff cool! Thanks!

[@animationfilmstuff]

Can you make a tutorial on how to make your modified cable? I cannot make one on the explanation alone

[@bullskull1166]

Great video! I have a question for you that im confused about, so I'll try to keep it simple... I have a KORG WAVESTATE Synth... What i want to do is come out of my WAVESTATE L an R, into a BLACKHOLE Pedal mono input that can switch to stereo, (this is the only option for the input on this pedal) then come out of the BLACKHOLE Pedal L an R, go into a AEROS Looper L an R, then come out of the AEROS Looper L an R, go into my mixer 2 channels... Do i use TS cables or TRS? I know the cabe coming out of the synth going into the Blackhole Pedal they make a splitter Duel TS mono into a TRS stereo... I just dont understand if TRS cables can be used for mono and they can cancel out noise, why not go with all TRS, i dont understand lol... Sorry!

[@SoundPeer]

Nice explanation, it's just the part where you say the result is a +2 signal that is not correct. The op-amp on the receiving end (mixer, audio interface etc.) will invert the second (-1) signal meaning the first (+3) signal will have a - (-1) = +1 signal added to it, resulting in a signal that is (+3) + (+1) = +4. Not +2 as you say in the video. So the final signal is two times the original one. In short: the signal was +2 and ended up being (+2 - (-2)) = +4 in the mixer, the noise was +1 and ended up being (+1 - (+1) = 0) cancelled out by the polarity inversion.

[@tomwawer5714]

Very interesting thanks!

[@Reggi_Sample]

Excellent vid. I’d like to know how different outlets or wall plugs can affect the noise ie is it necessary to connect to your one shared source of power?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

It definitely can. There can be ground potential differences, or especially (on double-insulated devices) voltage potential differences on the neutral line. Depending on how the individual devices are built, this can inject noise directly into your audio chain. To defeat this, I use power strips like this one to make sure everything is running on a single circuit: amzn.to/421BCTl

[@ListeningIsEmptiness]

Great presentation!

[@glyph6757]

"Removal of the safety ground connection on equipment can expose users to an increased danger of electric shock and may contradict wiring regulations. The safety ground is disconnected by an adaptor (cheater plug) in a power lead in which the ground conductor is deliberately disconnected, or by cutting a ground pin in the power plug. If a fault develops in any line-operated equipment, cable shields and equipment enclosures may become energized, creating an electric shock hazard. For example, the metal shell of a stage microphone or the strings of a guitar may become energized, creating a hazard to performers. British musicians Leslie Harvey and Keith Relf were, in the 1970s, examples of this type of electrocution, in both cases fatal. Many other musicians have experienced electric shock due to ungrounded or improperly grounded equipment with less severe consequences."

[@thekarga]

Hi dear Scott, when we built a cable XLR to RCA, is it the best way to connect "positive to positive end" and than mix the "Negative and the Ground (from XLR)" to the "Ground of RCA" ? Or is it best way to do it "positive to positive end" and than take only the ground from XLR and carry it to the RCA ground by leaving the negative empty on XLR ?

[@Sumbibebe]

Great explanation!

[@alanthompson5639]

Hi Scott, great video on balanced and unbalanced cables. What is your opinion about needing to use a snake when getting audio out to the mixer in live situations? How well shielded are they for eliminating noise? Thanks

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I use them in my studio, both for audio and MIDI. Internally, they are just a bunch of individual audio cables jammed together with a big outer skin. The inner audio cables are thinner because they don't need the thick, tough outer skin, so many more fit inside. But technically, they are identical to running a bunch of separate cables - except you don't end up with a rat's nest of cable spaghetti at the end of the night!

[@martyc8699]

Hey Scott, I am setting up a hardware vocal chain (about three to four). Of course I want it quiet. I plan on ordering the balanced cables. Does the length of the cable effect the noise? The three units will be chained together going into Presonus Audio box.

[@carlomagno55]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, learning a lot here. I have a question, I have a Focusrite Scarlett Solo and it seems the left output only works if I plug the cable halfway through, I mean, you can hear the sound only if the Tip of the cable touches the negative part of the balanced output of my sound interface. The right output works perfectly with the same cable, so the cable is not the problem; with a TRS cable works well but I think it's because the negative part of the bal output sends the sound through the negative of the cable, I don't understand why it doesn't send the negative also through the TS cable. Hope you can clear my ideas, thank you very much for your help. Greetings from Costa Rica.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I've had that happen before when a cable was just not made quite to spec - or sometimes the housing of the cable prevented it from going in all the way.

[@ricardojsgw]

I understand mixers' XLR inputs expect mic level signals. What happens when you connect a synthesizer's bal/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks, which carry line level signals, to the XLR inputs of the mixer using 1/4" TRS to XLR cables? The Roland Fantom-0 series only have bal/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks for example.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Many mixers, such as my X32, can adjust the gain to work with microphone or line level signals on the XLR input.

[@danielsamdevanesan]

Thank you so much

[@DoctorJRx]

Awesome info !!

[@S3DA_Music]

Which cables do you recommend buying for someone who uses an audio interface for synthesizers?

[@TheFloydinho]

Hi sir, thanks, although iv recently purchased the mw2408 korg mixer which has 8 stereo inputs, 8 mono inputs, works well with my keyboard using left and right output for stereo effects although im not sure how to makeup a snake for the mixer.. Can you help as i know i cant do long unbalanced runs, my snake will need to at least 20meters

[@BritishBulldog4]

Thanks for that, very informative. As a drummer with also a basic recording setup this is stuff I've never studied, even though I spent 4 years at drum school. So, novice question, but I assume from this that a balanced jack cable is the same as a stereo jack? So if a cable looks like a stereo cable it's automatically a balanced cable?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

A TRS cable means three conductors - tip, ring, sleeve. The same cable can be used for a balanced connection, or an unbalanced stereo connection.

[@BritishBulldog4]

@@ScottsSynthStuff thank you so much. That's what I thought but I started to doubt ... It's confusing how retailers describe them and surprisingly difficult to find a clear "this cable is good for both" description. Maybe it's one of those things everyone thinks everyone knows already.

[@animelover504]

I have a question and I hope you can answer. I have Roland Juni Ds Synth, and I use 2 unbalanced cords for L/R outs connected to the Mixer. My question is why Does the sound that comes out to the Speaker is very crappy compared to the sound I head over the headphones. The sound in the Headphone is like Studio quality piano sound for example, but when Playing it live through Mackie 1400 watts powered speaker, it sound like a Casio Piano. Im really frustrated.

[@HowYouMove]

Hey Scott I’m a new Beginner but I invested less than $2,000 for my Home set up which includes a Roland JV-1080 with four expansion boards & I just got the new red Akai MPC One Plus Drum machine/Sampler. I have the Hosa CPP-202 Dual 1/4" TS to Dual 1/4 which are unbalanced & I wanted to know what outputs should I put the cables in my Roland JV-1080? Because it has left & right outputs & a Mix Out with a left Mono also the Cables are Red & Black & I wanted to know which output should I connect the cables to the 1080?

[@RadekPilich]

The question I have is whether there is a difference in using balanced vs. unbalanced patchbay cables. Those 30/60cm long patch cables. Is it necessary to get balanced ones when the input/output cables are balanced as well?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

100%, and in fact the red cable you see me showing in the video is one of my patch cables. If you don't use a three-conductor patch cable in your patch bay, you're eliminating all the benefits of using balanced connections everywhere else in the signal chain. For balanced connections to work, they should be balanced from end to end.

[@namebrandbeatz]

Can I use balanced (TRS) cables to hookup my Prophet Rev2(unbalanced outs) to my balanced patchbay inputs? It seems fine so far but I'm curious if I'm losing quality or will have any issues down the road.

[@TristanChambers]

Off topic: what kind of mixer do you have, and do you like it? Thanks!

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Behringer X32, and absolutely love it. It took a bit of work to learn, and I'm only using a fraction of its capability, but it's an extremely economical way to get a 32-input audio interface.

[@delscoville]

I use balanced cables on my Motif, but unfornately balanced with the MODX+ just has a signal that's too weak. So just using normal cables with it. By weak, I mean I have to turn the MODX+ and the speakers all the way up just to barely hear it, and of course that doesn't work when mixing with other things.

[@delscoville]

BTW, I know I can set the gain in the utilities menu on the MODX+, but oddly it will start clipping the signal, even though the volume is rather low.

[@eliefaradaykyungu1425]

Try using a DI box

[@delscoville]

@@eliefaradaykyungu1425 It's fine with the unbalanced ables.

[@ukrop-chik]

Hi Scott, just interested in your opinion: why Nord still uses unbalanced outputs? Even their "top shelf" NordStage is unbalanced. I don't think they save money on it: there are cheaper synths which have balanced, e.g. MODX. Is there any disadvantage in balanced output? Thanks for your video :)

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

No disadvantage to balanced, as they are reverse-compatible to unbalanced (you can plug an unbalanced cable into a balanced plug and it will work fine). No idea why Nord, being a high-end brand, insists on still having only unbalanced connections. However, the MODX also has unbalanced outputs - you have to upgrade to the Montage to get balanced out.

[@classicarcadeamusementpark4242]

Most digital synths since the 80s like the DX-7, Korg M1 and most other flagships for many years did not have balanced outputs. It's a newer trend that, if your willing to pay double for your modern synth, you can get balanced outputs. Some of the classic big analog synths had balanced outputs. It's no big deal at all, and a simple thing to correct. Nord doesn't bother, because it's no big deal, easy & cheap to correct. They have better things to worry about, and so should anyone worried about it. Don't believe those people that would make you think it was a "selling point" to have balanced outputs. Not unless the selling point is to save $30, $10 on needing an extra 1/4" patch cable, and maybe save 30 seconds hooking up an extra box/wire, or taking up the space of a deck of a cards. If that's all a big deal, pay the extra $1500 - $2000 to get your modern flagship with balanced outputs if available. Many people are still going to want to use a DI even if their keyboard offers balanced outputs. True selling point value of balanced outputs = $50 option.That's what it should be. Not $1500 - $2000. And if you happen to use other keyboards and run through a small mixer that has XLR output as many of us do, you don't even need a DI. Hope that clears it up for you.

[@renatoleon909]

Any spec brand do you recommend profe?

[@michaelfenemore1168]

So, is this statement correct? Balanced and unbalanced cables are completely interchangeable (both will work), but balanced is better.

[@zmmmzmmmz]

Why aren't ferrite chokes more common on audio cables?

[@domingoleija3436]

If we go through one outlet will it blow a fuse In braker or is there a trick or fancy power strip that buffers?

[@MemoGrafix]

Upgrade Your ELECTRICAL if You own Your house. Do that soon because the cost of Electricians AIN'T GETTING CHEAPER. Or, if You rent, move to a place with up to Code Electrical Systems. Using fuses in any house/apartment building went out of use in the 1990s. Fuses in a Fuse Box is not up to code in the USAs N.E.C. - National Electrical Code.

[@nexuzeb79]

thank u, Sir!!!!!

[@chateautemp]

So nothing to do with stereo? Thanks for the vid!

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

No, for stereo you still need two separate cables, one for each channel.

[@eliefaradaykyungu1425]

Would automatic voltage regulators on both sockets fix the ground loop issue ?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

No. Regulators do not affect the ground potential, and differences in ground potential is virtually always the cause of ground loops.

[@TerraSin]

Do you have a recommendation of a cable company you use or are you at the point of just making your own? I know you mentioned modifying cables you get so I'm assuming you buy from someone else and then do your own modifications. One thing I have noticed is that not all cable companies are the same and some are very cheaply made despite being balanced. I've been getting them from RedCo lately but I would like to rewire the entire studio and that would be an insane amount of money. Thought about buying spools and making my own but I'm not very skilled with a soldering iron.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I've been using Seismic Audio cables amzn.to/3LJtEq6 for years now. All of the XLR and MIDI snakes I used in my studio are Seismic Audio. They are inexpensive, and I have never had one fail. That said, if I was going to buy cables for live use, I'd probably buy something with a more robust strain relief and tougher jacket. But for studio use, where they usually get plugged in and left untouched for months, they work great.

[@TerraSin]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Thanks for the input. Will be taking a look at these. :)

[@LarMorgan]

Is there any issue with using a balanced cable into an unbalanced input or output?

[@itsJoel59]

Is it okay to use TRS-cables for unbalanced mono signals? I have a synth with an unbalanced audio output and a TRS-cable for it.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Perfectly fine. ALL of my cables are TRS, for both the balanced and unbalanced synths.

[@itsJoel59]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Sweet, cheers 🍻

[@on1ytheb3st]

What about “balanced cables” that only have a TS (Tip-Sleeve) jack. My Monster ProLink Acoustic instrument cable only has a tip and sleeve but the insulation advertises being “Bandwidth Balanced”. Any idea what’s going on with this?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Those are not balanced cables. "Bandwidth Balanced" is marketing speak that means nothing.

[@on1ytheb3st]

@@ScottsSynthStuff That’s pretty ridiculous lol. My father bought it years ago but it seems Monster cables really are a scam. Yeah just took it apart (I have to replace a jack connector anyways) and it’s got two core wires surrounded by outer shielding. One wire is connected to the tip, the other to the sleeve (ground). The kicker is that the outer shielding is only connected to the sleeve (ground) on one end of the cable. There is a “directional” signal flow notated on the insulation which is for noise reduction. It has something to do with the shielding acting as like a faraday.

[@richardsullivan2537]

Ok but what is the significance of all this relative to what we are trying to do in hooking up all our equipment.

[@bram9498]

what about a balanced cable for guitar? even if the amp is just mono unbalanced....what to expect? my guitar cables run along other power cables...

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

You would first need the guitar to put out a balanced signal, which means it would have to have a preamp built into it. I haven't heard of such a thing, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I'm sure someone, somewhere, at some time, has done it.

[@dodgingrain3695]

What about balanced cables being used with unbalanced synths and a balanced audio interface?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I talk about that specifically starting at 10:58 in the video

[@dodgingrain3695]

@@ScottsSynthStuff my apologies, I must have missed it

[@AT-wl9yq]

A balanced connection isn't hot, cold, ground. Both signal conductors are hot. If you go back and look at whatever you used as a reference, you'll see that the + and - symbols are used to designate polarity, not electrical hot and cold. Also, you need to check the pin layout on the components you are connecting. Not all manufacturers use the same pin layout, so if you don't get it right, you'll create a short circuit. Beyond that, you really shouldn't have to make a cable like this. You can use xlr to rca adaptors. You just have to make sure that the adaptor doesn't shunt the number 2 pin to ground. Some do. That said, you're better off using a direct box. What he did in this video is electrically identical to an unbalanced rca connection. A DI box allows you to keep the signal balanced. You'll have less noise issues and be able to use long cable runs, if you need to.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I did not include + and - as "hot and ground" - they are indicating PHASE - the positive phase, and the negative (inverted) phase, which is what the two pins in a balanced connection contain.

[@AT-wl9yq]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Correct. You didn't say that. look at my comment again. "A balanced connection isn't hot, cold, ground." . Polarity is never referred to as hot and cold. And its not just me being picky. This is the most common mistake people make when trying to connect balanced and single ended gear. There are different ways a balanced connection can be wired. Quite often one of the signal wires gets combined with the ground/shield pin. Sometimes its OK to do it, but not always. When you call one of the signal conductors cold and label it with a -, you kind of make it look like a ground. In reality, its a signal wire, or a hot wire. Combine that with a real ground and you create a short circuit the second you plug the cable in. Most of the time it results in a noise, but it is possible to damage something. In my opinion, you're better off using a DI box. Its cheap, there's no reason make special cables and it keeps the signal balanced. If you already have a balanced signal, why not keep it that way? It almost eliminates any noise issues that arise from single ended connections, and you have the option to use long runs of cables, if needed. I'm guessing you haven't really looked into this issue for a while. The industry has taken balanced operation and turned it into a disaster. Not only how its implemented, but how its marketed. They're even playing games with headphones now.

[@rever4217]

8:45 The end result of your example is wrong. You forgot to invert the -1, so in your example the output would actually be 4 (3 + 1) not 2 (3 - 1). Imagine if you had no noise in your example (no +1), the output would be 4 (2 + 2), since you're inverting the -2 at the end and adding it onto your original signal (2). If you don't believe me, try it with other numbers such as 7 for your original signal and 3 for your noise. Using the way you calculated the output, you would have 7 (original signal) versus 6 (10 - 4). When actually the output is 14 with or without noise.

[@matusco02]

Exactly...

[@jeremy6384]

12:45 what does DI stand for?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Depends on who you ask - Direct Injection or Direct Input. Basically a box that allows you to pass audio from one device to another (i.e. synth to mixing desk) but without an actual, physical electrical connection. The audio is passed through a transformer, and this prevents ground loops from causing hum. It also changes impedance for connections that require it.

[@classicarcadeamusementpark4242]

As said, it is very easy to turn a synthesizers without balanced outputs into balanced outputs by using a direct box (DI). Direct boxes sell as cheap as $35. They also often provide additional features such as offering a 2nd output to send a keyboard to both a PA system and to keyboard amp, and may offer a ground lift switch. People often make the mistake of thinking having balanced outputs built into the keyboard is a selling point. It's really not a selling point as DI's are very inexpensive and you may need one for other reasons. The perfect example is a Yamaha Montage vs a MODX. Some people think it's worth spending twice as much money ($1500 - $2000 extra) to get a Montage over a MODX in part because of the balanced outputs. That is total non-sense. Correcting the signal is easy & very inexpensive.A DI is about the size of a deck of cards.

[@bartkimberley8336]

I think people get the more expensive Montage for the additional enhancements in sound features. Balanced outputs is a nice bonus.

[@springkordz]

Can you recommend a DI box for my modx?

[@bartkimberley8336]

@@springkordz I have a pair of stereo DI and mono DI boxes from Radial - PRO-D2. They are a bit expensive, these have a -15 db pad and ground lift switches that I use in a live setting.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

True, but there's one other issue: there is not a DI box in existence that doesn't alter the signal passing through it. It's the nature of analog electronics. Passive DI boxes especially roll off the top end of the signal. There are very cheap and simple passive DI boxes, you can get them for under $30: amzn.to/3Y4s4TR I have had both the Montage and MODX, and have a Montage now. The MODX actually suffers GREATLY from ground loop noise when it is used with USB and a DAW, and I had to use a DI box on it. When I sold the MODX and replaced it with the Montage - no more DI box required. To my ears, the Montage sounds better than the MODX as well, which I suppose makes sense as it has much higher end D/A and analog output circuitry. That said, I did not buy my Montage for its balanced outputs.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I've used these - they are cheap, and sound pretty decent: amzn.to/3Y4s4TR

[@lenamurphy1903]

you can just buy balanced to unbalanced but the rest was helpful

[@JulioAvalos3000]

And I thought I had a synth fetish.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Turns out it's a cable fetish? :)

[@JulioAvalos3000]

@@ScottsSynthStuff No, I'm not a masochist. Making all these instruments work together has kept me up at night sometimes. Thanks for the video, Scott. It answered some questions.

[@matthiaswilhelm9813]

Kein so schlimmer Unterschied,nur für Studio.Ich bin nicht mehr so Horny auf Mu-Metall geschützte Symmetrie Trafos.55 Jahre Livemusik hinterlassen ihre Spuren im Hirn🎹😂😎😯😹💖