XLR = 1/4 Wiring

[MNAirHead]

Hello

I have a DI box that needs to split and feed a personal monitor.

I did a quick check and am verifying a pin out.

XLR1 => 1/4 Negative
XLR2 => 1/4 Positive
XLR3 => 1/4 Negative

Am I correct?

Tim

[bassguitar]

I think of it like this

1.X - Ground
2.L - Live (+)
3.R - Return (-)

So to wire to a 1/4" connector:

XLR pin 1 - 1/4" sleeve
XLR pin 2 - 1/4" tip
XLR pin 3 - 1/4" ring

[MNAirHead]

Would it be acceptable to only wire the following

XLR1 => 1/4 Negative
XLR2 => 1/4 Positive

[bongomania]

Yes, that should work, if you're going from a balanced output to an unbalanced input.

Note that not every manufacturer uses the same XLR pinout! Although mostly that's an issue with older gear.

[bassguitar]

I don't think so.

I would leave out pin 1 (ground) and just wire 2 and 3 to the 1/4".

[MNAirHead]

I have a pro constructed cable.. (neutrik ends) .. they pin out exactly like the diagragm.

All of the boxes are new (Rolls Brand) - Yes I've sent a note to the mfg.

Tim

[MNAirHead]

Just got off the phone with an Audio Engineer..

3=>Ground
2=>Hot
1(optional)=>Ground

[projectMalamute]

Is the whole chain

high impedance unbalanced input ->
DI box ->
split the balanced low impedance output -> one way to the board, one way to this monitor thing
?

and the monitor thing is an unbalanced input?

The easiest way to unbalance a signal, and one which almost always works fine, is just shorting pin 3 to pin 1. This is what happens when you plug a TS connector in to a TRS jack, or in the diagram posted above.

The problem with doing that is this case is that by unbalancing the connection to the monitor do-hicky thing you are also unbalancing the connection to the board. You could leave pin 1 floating at the unbalanced end of the connection. If you do this leave it connected at the balanced side, and I don't think you want to lift the ground. That's your only shield, and it's only connected at one end.

Any reason you can't use the parallel output on the unbalanced side of the DI box to feed the monitor?

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

Any reason you can't use the parallel output on the unbalanced side of the DI box to feed the monitor?

There isn't a through 1/4 connection on this box

[projectMalamute]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

There isn't a through 1/4 connection on this box

huh.

what box is this, and is it active or transformer balanced?

I'd almost want to split the thing on the unbalanced side, just like you do plugging the thing in to an amp.

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

huh.

what box is this, and is it active or transformer balanced?

I'd almost want to split the thing on the unbalanced side, just like you do plugging the thing in to an amp.

Rolls DB25B

It is split on the unbalanced (input).. this clips the monitors.. too hot an output.

[TimmyP]

If the balanced output is (like most things these days) active (as opposed to a transformer), there is usually no need to connect pin three. In fact it can sometimes degrade the performance of the output IC, as you are driving one side of the IC into a near short (it is driving the ~50 Ohm buildout resistor).

[MNAirHead]

Thank you for confirming.. this is exactly what the Rolls engineer said... basically said that I could follow the diagragm above without damaging anything.

Tim

[MNAirHead]

I'm aware you kids are wondering why I don't plug in my JDI or Countryman..

I'm buying gear to donate to a cause.

[MIJ-VI]

^