Unbalanced to balanced connection

[Makoa Johnson]

I've been reading tons of posts around here to try and answer my own question, but alas I'm still confused.

I'm getting ready to setup a new gigging rack around a Little Mark 3 and an Ashly CLX-52. The effects loop on the LM3 is 1/4" unbalanced, and the Ashly has 1/4" or xlr I/O but both balanced.

So my question is, can I just plug 1/4" to 1/4" in the rack, and if so should I use TS or TRS cables? Or do I need to run the cabling though some type of transformer/isolator first.

Thanks for any help, and I hope I'm not missing something blatantly obvious.

MJ

[disasterline]

Years ago I had the same question. I went to radio shack and bought ts to trs adapters for my entire rig. They are sitting some place in my room. You should be fine just plugging it in.

[Makoa Johnson]

Thanks @disasterline, good to know that it should be that simple.
So as far as the cables, you think just normal TS (instrument cables) or should I use the balanced TRS cables?

Thanks,
MJ

[ThrashMaster]

regular ts is fine

[gastric]

Most 1/4" TRS jacks support standard 1/4" TS connections. I'd just plug in standard instrument or patch cables and see what happens.

More important will be the FX LOOP level and matching that to the acceptable levels by the rack gear. Some run at instrument level, some at -20/-10/+4db. Some are totally wonky like a lot of the MESA heads making it nearly impossible to use rack gear with them.

[Foamy]

I believe, however, that once any of the cables is unbalanced, the whole chain becomes unbalanced.
Balanced connections exist for a reason.
You should make every effort to use TRS cables and maintain the balanced path.

[Ba55Man1ac]

Originally Posted by Foamy

I believe, however, that once any of the cables is unbalanced, the whole chain becomes unbalanced.
Balanced connections exist for a reason.
You should make every effort to use TRS cables and maintain the balanced path.

The FX loop conn's are unbalanced. The path can never be balanced when one component doesn't support it.

Originally Posted by CLX-52 manual

Unbalanced Connections and Grounding
If you must use unbalanced connectors, the negative lead of the connector should be tied to the ground lead. Using unbalanced connections could result in chassis ground-loop noise. Altering the signal/chassis ground relationship in equipment connected to your GQX unit may eliminate the noise.

Standard patch cables should be fine for a short run.

[Makoa Johnson]

Thanks for all the input everyone.
@gastric: The fx loop says it sends at line level, and that's what the compressor likes to see so I think I'll be ok in that regards.

@foamy: The path itself will be unbalanced as the send is unbalanced, but I was just checking to see if still using a balanced cable had any advantages.

@Ba55Man1ac: Thanks for all that info, all helpful!

MJ

[bongomania]

There would be no advantage to using a balanced cable in this specific case.

[Makoa Johnson]

Thanks @bongomania. That indeed seems to be the consensus, now I can plug things in without fearing bad consequences. I'll let yall know how it turns out.

Thanks again everyone,

MJ