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By lokurabzlpimp Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:08 pm
Sorry if this is kind of a dumb question.

N E ways.

What does mixer mean by bal/unbal ( balanced or unbalanced) inputs, the same as the mic inputs.
Does dat mean like mono or stereo???
And on the mpc 1000, the 4 individual outs are unbalanced. What does that mean.

and also on some mixers theres a "bal/unbal" input and under it theres a "insert" input on the same channel.
What does dat mean.
Please no comments just to be rude or w\e.
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By splinter Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:36 pm
Basically 'Balanced' circuits and leads offer the best method of minimising external noise in a PA system. A balanced lead carries the signal on two conductors + shield.

Unbalanced leads are extremely susceptible to picking up noise and as such, they should only be used for short cable runs under 3 metres.

An insert is where you could insert an external FX into the signal path..

Hope dis helps dood :roll:
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By stryke Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:38 pm
lokurabzlpimp wrote:Does dat mean like mono or stereo???


Exactly.Stereo is balanced and mono is unbalanced.
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By punkdISCO Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:11 pm
"Exactly.Stereo is balanced and mono is unbalanced."

Sorry dude but this is incorrect. The cables might appear to be the same but the technology is different. Stereo is unbalanced.

Splinter is on the right lines but does not mention the main mechanism behind a balanced signal. You basically copy your audio and send two 'unbalanced' copies A and B. A picks up noise. B picks up noise. However, the receiver subtracts the two signals. Because A's noise is different to B's noise, and the underlying audio is identical, subtracting one from the other basically removes the noise and you are left with the original signal.

To do this to a stereo signal, you would need 4 wires plus the earth shield.

Here is a quick explanation:

http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/balan ... anced.html

see you,