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Balanced XLR output and Unbalanced XLR cable

Enzo88

Enzo88

Mar 22, 2018
53
21
Italy
www.deviantart.com
#1
hey guys,
I have a question, i'm going to record my bass throught my Palmer Pan 01 DI box, which i will connect it to my PC (Sound blaster titanium HD sound card) with a unbalanced XLR to mini jack cable.

Before i buy that kind of cable, i'd like to know if it being unbalanced will work with my DI being a balanced output. Is there anything that i should be worried about if i try to connect the two?

Thanks
 
#6
The DI will give a proper, high impedance input for the bass to drive without being improperly loaded.

The only thing to watch for is how the balanced DI output circuit should be unbalanced. There are different types of balanced outputs. Some like to have the minus leg left floating, some like to have it tied to ground and some can work acceptably either way. The manual for the DI may speak to this, or you can check with the manufacturer.

Otto
 
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#11
Jazz Ad said:
Why would you do that? The only purpose of the DI is to turn an unparalleled signal to parallel. tI is useless in this case. Plug straight into your PC.
It is very uncommon these days to have a dedicated sound card, since most motherboard can deliver pretty good audio. What led you to this choice?
Click to expand...

Actually - the DI's purpose is to convert the high impedance of the instrument to a low-impedance balanced output to properly drive 600 Ohm inputs on a mixer. It may also have the ability to convert balance to unbalanced.

That being said - there is really no reason to use one here just plug the instrument directly into the sound card mic input - they are both mic level and high impedance.
 
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#12
There are several devices, some very cheap that will give good results. A decent multi effect unit for example will let you adjust volume precisely and use the line level input rather than the mic. You will also benefit from compression that many, myself included prefer applied before entering the DAW. A decent phone amp will do the same. If your amp has one you can use it.
If you make a habit or recording, even an entry level USB audio interface will make your life simpler than an audiophile soundcard.
Bassamatic said:
Actually - the DI's purpose is to convert the high impedance of the instrument to a low-impedance balanced output to properly drive 600 Ohm inputs on a mixer. It may also have the ability to convert balance to unbalanced.
Click to expand...
This specific DI is supposed to be used with line level on input. Bad results are to be expected if you plug a bass, especially a passive one into it.
 
Last edited:
#13
Got way more helpful infos than i was expecting.
I digged through google before buying that type of DI. It was pretty much suggested by a lot people (being one of the best around at that price tag and quality wise also), many bass players are using it for live situations tho, like plugging it to a PA...

Anyway, i'll follow the suggestion to plug it to the sound card for now and play with the FL studio 12 software once i grab a 1/8" adapter. Later i'll buy some USB interface.
 
#14
Jazz Ad said:
Why would you do that? The only purpose of the DI is to turn an unparalleled signal to parallel. tI is useless in this case. Plug straight into your PC.
It is very uncommon these days to have a dedicated sound card, since most motherboard can deliver pretty good audio. What led you to this choice?
Click to expand...
Parallel, unparallel. Had to think about that for a moment, but then it made sense.
That’s what we call balanced, unbalanced, this side of the pond. :smug:
 
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#16
Enzo88 said:
Later i'll buy some USB interface.
Click to expand...
I recommend doing this before buying cables and adapters that will yield poor results and become obsolete when you upgrade.
Used USB interfaces all sound pretty good are not expensive(esp used) if you only need a few channels. I can make some recommendations based on purchases and my personal use if you like.
 
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#17
Bassbeater said:
I recommend doing this before buying cables and adapters that will yield poor results and become obsolete when you upgrade.
Used USB interfaces all sound pretty good are not expensive(esp used) if you only need a few channels. I can make some recommendations based on purchases and my personal use if you like.
Click to expand...

Some entry level ones that aren't expensive maybe ye.
I'm not a pro musician who needs the very best. I'll edit soundtracks from various albums deleting the bass tracks and then record myself and make some cover, that's it
 
#18
Enzo88 said:
Some entry level ones that aren't expensive maybe ye.
I'm not a pro musician who needs the very best. I'll edit soundtracks from various albums deleting the bass tracks and then record myself and make some cover, that's it
Click to expand...
How do you propose to remove bass tracks from pre-recorded albums?
Usually everything is mixed down to stereo and you don't have a separate isolated tracks.
I imagine there might be some ways to filter out some of the bass somewhat, and possibly get it down to where your bass would override that on the recording. But I would think the results can vary widely depending on the mix and the type of music.
I just mention this in case you haven't thought ahead yet about to how to remove bass tracks.
 
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#19
Old Garage-Bander said:
How do you propose to remove bass tracks from pre-recorded albums?
Usually everything is mixed down to stereo and you don't have a separate isolated tracks.
I imagine there might be some ways to filter out some of the bass somewhat, and possibly get it down to where your bass would override that on the recording. But I would think the results can vary widely depending on the mix and the type of music.
I just mention this in case you haven't thought ahead yet about to how to remove bass tracks.
Click to expand...

Yeah, deleting is just to much i used the wrong term, what i meant is trying to mix down those low frequencies as much as i can and override it with my record... it's gonna be hard as the bass in those tracks is played with a pick and has a lot of mids in there aswell, but that's just another topic
 
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#20
If it is popular music you are re-recording bass for, try searching for .mogg multitrack files of the songs. they may be floating around the internet.
search "nameofsong.mogg". the quotations will help you find sites with catalogs or magnet files.
 
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