Unbalanced and Balanced Connections

[Cylkk]

I realise Balanced connections are much better than Unbalanced - but why is it that lots of hardware doesn't support balanced cables?

For example, the stereo ins on my mixer are balanced, but my synth and drum machine aren't.
The Main outs on my mxier are unbalanced, but my monitors are.

I don't get it - why don't they make everything balanced? There's no advantage whatsoever to me using balanced cables in the above situations right?

[Pingel]

That's because connections in the studio are mostly about 10 or 15 feet long. The noise, hum and interference those cables will pick up are negligible. Have you encountered noise and hum in your studio? Besides, most devices produce a tiny amount of noise of itself.

The story is different in live situations, because the cables (snakes) are much longer and there are more power consuming devices, like amplifiers and light engines and stuff. In such situations is the interference which occurs in the long cabels more significant. That's why DI boxes are often used.

[af-lpdeluxe]

Balanced lines also require a little more money to implement and require more space on a device, which is why RCAs and miniplugs are so common with computer gear.

[KX]

Balanced line add extra electronic (usually a pair of transformers for emitting and receiving device)
that is good to bypass when you can.

[Joe Hannigan]

It's cheaper, and less design work are the main reasons why they use unbalanced connections, esp if the product is targeted to the consumer, or "Pro"-sumer market.

They figure you're going to hook it up to something non-"pro" and wont need or miss the balanced version. Shorter cable runs, etc. are expected, and as mentioned by Pingel, a "pro" rig will have DI or transformer boxes for longer cable runs, etc. (Balanced lines can run up to 1000' or so, unbalanced shouldn't go more than 15' or so...) Hum is an issue, too, of course.

Unblanaced means one less output op-amp or transformer, and a cable with only two wires (ground and hot) instead of three (shield, + & - )

Unbalanced audio is usually (but doesn't HAVE to be) -10 nominal while balanced audio is usually +4 nominal, so you have higher levels and quieter signal that way, too.

My own quick-view is that unbalanced stuff is a fact of life on the front-end of semi-pro gear, and balanced outs are for professional apps.

I'm surprised your mixer doesn't have balanced out, though....what are you using?

[Cylkk]

just a little behringer UB802, the stereos in are balanced, but not the main outs.