- jpleong
TRS comes in two forms, balanced mono or unbalanced stereo. The Soundcraft has the prior for its main outs (two jacks for a left and a right).
Unless you happen to have some quad cable just lying around I would just buy a TRS-XLR adapter or a long mic cable with those particular ends. They're plentiful and cheaper than buying something like Canare Starquad and some quality connectors. To be honest, with a system as low-budget as the one you're proposing the benefit of using something snazzy like quad-core cable is negligible.
The manual is here, in case you need it: http://www.soundcraft.com/products/product.aspx?pid=173
Do you need a DI? The issue isn't really one of grounding -Soundcraft makes its TRS inputs able to accept balanced and unbalanced signal- it's more a matter of impedance.
So...
Keyboard (assuming a "professional" keyboard with a pair of 1/4" outs), no, just plug straight into one of the four stereo channels. Output from 99% of keyboards is low impedance.
Acoustic guitar, depends. If using a passive soundhole or piezo pickup then yes (a BIG yes, most passive systems are extremely high impedance and very low signal). If using an active pickup system then likely no (most active systems output low impedance).
Headphone out, no, I would actually get a stereo Y-splitter to go from the headphone's TRS-stereo to a separate L/R to plug into the stereo input.
Are you buying these new? That Soundcraft Notepad is discontinued. I've never liked anything Kustom made but that's some old (pre-2000's) experience. There's certainly better for the money...
JP
Unless you happen to have some quad cable just lying around I would just buy a TRS-XLR adapter or a long mic cable with those particular ends. They're plentiful and cheaper than buying something like Canare Starquad and some quality connectors. To be honest, with a system as low-budget as the one you're proposing the benefit of using something snazzy like quad-core cable is negligible.
Another question that I cannot find the answer to comes from wanting to run a keyboard or guitars through the board. Since I plan on using all 4 mic/line ins for mics, I am forced to move for the stereo inputs for the rest. If I want to plug in a keyboard, acoustic guitar, or headphone out of a small guitar amp into the board should I use a DI box? If I use a balanced cable without a DI box will a ground loop still occur, since it has a ground wire? Also, should I use just one mono 1/4" into the left stereo port, or convert to 2 separate 3 pole (TRS?) plugs and plug into both stereo channels for guitar and keyboard?
The manual is here, in case you need it: http://www.soundcraft.com/products/product.aspx?pid=173
Do you need a DI? The issue isn't really one of grounding -Soundcraft makes its TRS inputs able to accept balanced and unbalanced signal- it's more a matter of impedance.
So...
Keyboard (assuming a "professional" keyboard with a pair of 1/4" outs), no, just plug straight into one of the four stereo channels. Output from 99% of keyboards is low impedance.
Acoustic guitar, depends. If using a passive soundhole or piezo pickup then yes (a BIG yes, most passive systems are extremely high impedance and very low signal). If using an active pickup system then likely no (most active systems output low impedance).
Headphone out, no, I would actually get a stereo Y-splitter to go from the headphone's TRS-stereo to a separate L/R to plug into the stereo input.
Are you buying these new? That Soundcraft Notepad is discontinued. I've never liked anything Kustom made but that's some old (pre-2000's) experience. There's certainly better for the money...
JP
March 14, 2012 @03:47am
In order to connect the mixer to the speakers I was thinking I could make my own cables. The main mix out on the board is a 1/4" TRS (which i'm pretty sure is just stereo?), and the input on the speaker is for a male xlr. My debate is weather to use standard mic cable in the wiring, or if quad mic cable would work. The quad cable is supposed to help with noise rejection, but will it work for this instance?
Another question that I cannot find the answer to comes from wanting to run a keyboard or guitars through the board. Since I plan on using all 4 mic/line ins for mics, I am forced to move for the stereo inputs for the rest. If I want to plug in a keyboard, acoustic guitar, or headphone out of a small guitar amp into the board should I use a DI box? If I use a balanced cable without a DI box will a ground loop still occur, since it has a ground wire? Also, should I use just one mono 1/4" into the left stereo port, or convert to 2 separate 3 pole (TRS?) plugs and plug into both stereo channels for guitar and keyboard?