Proper Audio Cables

Im going to be re-wiring my studio soon and instead of the jumble I have now, I want to get everything done properly. With that said, I'm going to be ordering new audio cables for my 3000. So, should I cop TS or TRS audio cables for my 3000's outs?

Rec Inputs = Balanced
All Outputs = Unbalanced

Does that help?

Clint wrote:Rec Inputs = Balanced
All Outputs = Unbalanced

Does that help?

Yeah that's exactly how I have it now. Just wanted to make sure as I just recently brought the 3K back out after something like 7-8 years and Ive been using cables that I stored along with it. Still going to order some new cables, though. Not a fan of the old flimsy Hosas that I'm currently using. I like the build on the monoprice cables much better.

For real, look into building your own 8 ch. snake using mogami wire and neutrik ends. You will save money and should be able to get a top notch snake for right around $100 (or less)

sirparksalot wrote:For real, look into building your own 8 ch. snake using mogami wire and neutrik ends. You will save money and should be able to get a top notch snake for right around $100 (or less)

Word. I'll look into it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Clint wrote:Rec Inputs = Balanced
All Outputs = Unbalanced

Does that help?

That goes for the 60 as well?

soundtech wrote:

Clint wrote:Rec Inputs = Balanced
All Outputs = Unbalanced

Does that help?

That goes for the 60 as well?

To answer your question: Yes.

But there is already a thread covering this topic. Probably there are more, but this is the first result I found when I did a search.

Hint: Google is your good friend

My current sampling chain is Monoprice XLR to TRS out of my DJ mixer into my Mackie 1604 and then Monoprice TRS to TRS into my MPC 3000. Then on the MPC 3000 outs I have Hosa TS to TS back into my Mackie.

The Monoprice cables are great IMO. The Hosas are probably good too but I feel that they are best if you are in a set it and forget it setup without many obstructions. Unfortunately for me, because of space issues, in order to get everything rigged up the way I want I had to do some creative placement in and around things so I ordered some new Monoprice TS cables for the outs of the 3000 (to replace the Hosas) because of their build quality. I recommend the Monoprice cables but I'm sure there are better cables at higher prices. For the price and quality though, I'll take the Monoprice cables.

Great reasonably priced resource for good quality cables here

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subde ... p_id=10244

Monoprice.com great place for installer grade cables.

MaZe wrote:Im going to be re-wiring my studio soon and instead of the jumble I have now, I want to get everything done properly. With that said, I'm going to be ordering new audio cables for my 3000. So, should I cop TS or TRS audio cables for my 3000's outs?

Beware with unbalanced cables. Long cables will degrade the audio quality. If you use more than 90cm to 1m cables the audio signal will automaticly be degraded.

The more long your cable is , the more hum you will hear in your monitors.

If I was in your place, I would use a 8 channels unbalanced to balanced box like this :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Channel-profesional-unbalanced-to-balanced-converter-NEW-/251291609338?pt=US_Other_Pro_Audio&hash=item3a8225a8fa

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Channel-profesional-unbalanced-to-balanced-converter-NEW-/251291609338?pt=US_Other_Pro_Audio&hash=item3a8225a8fa

This will match your MPC outputs with your audio converter inputs.

Unbalanced signal is 6dB less than balanced signal. This is very important , you will preserving the dynamic.

Clint wrote:Rec Inputs = Balanced
All Outputs = Unbalanced

Does that help?

I agree with Clint but I will complete what he suggest.

Your 3k inputs are balanced.

You have to put a balanced signal in these balanced inputs.

This means that if you sample from a vinyl and you put a signal from a dj mixer that have RCA (cinch) outputs , you will sample a unbalanced signal in the balanced inputs.

In this case , your balanced input will react like unbalanced inputs.

To avoid this problem , you will need a box with unbalanced inputs to balanced outputs.

Solution is a box like this :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/APHEX-124-A-10-4-2-CHANNEL-PRO-AUDIO-LEVEL-MATCHING-INTERFACE-124A-2-/181165587679?pt=US_Signal_Processors_Rack_Effects&hash=item2a2e4f7cdf

I was just doing a write up about audio cables for my project, so all I will add to this is there is good basic advice about this from Roger Linn in the MPC60/3000 manual. More in-depth explanations of balanced and unbalanced I/O and cables are available via Google or other technical websites. Click here: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=balanced+v+unbalanced+cables

Balanced means professional

Its important to note that its not just about the cables you use (balanced/unbalanced). but also about the I/O you are connecting. So don't think that by just using balanced cables your connections will suddenly become noise-free.

Unless you actually have noise problems, just use normal TS/TRS cables which are as short as possible, and keep them away from sources of interference like mains power leads. Also don't confuse noise/interference with ground loops.

Click the link I posted above to understand the theory behind all this stuff...