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Balanced XLR output to 3.5mm cable

DonaldR

DonaldR

Mar 26, 2012
2,220
2,209
#1
Hi.

I need to feed the output of my Eleven Rack (balanced XLR) into a stereo 3.5mm stereo input on a mixer desk (only input available). Since I want the signal to go both side (cannot have the mixer output in mono), will a standard XLR to 3.5mm stereo cable be enough? Pin 1 sleeve, pin 2 tip, pin 3 ring. Will I get phase cancelation?
I also saw a cable where pin 1 and 3 sleeve and pin 2 tip and ring.
 
#2
Can’t say I’ve ever heard of a mixer with a 3.5 mm input. But if it is “stereo” like you say, the cable you described – XLR Pin 1 and 3 to 3.5 mm sleeve, XLR pin 2 to 3.5 mm tip and sleeve, would be the correct cable. It is basically splitting the XLR’s mono signal to two channels. The first connection scheme you mentioned probably won't get any sound at all, or at best something that sounds really weird.

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Wayne A. Pflughaupt

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#3
DonaldR said:
Hi.

I need to feed the output of my Eleven Rack (balanced XLR) into a stereo 3.5mm stereo input on a mixer desk (only input available). Since I want the signal to go both side (cannot have the mixer output in mono), will a standard XLR to 3.5mm stereo cable be enough? Pin 1 sleeve, pin 2 tip, pin 3 ring. Will I get phase cancelation?
I also saw a cable where pin 1 and 3 sleeve and pin 2 tip and ring.
Click to expand...

I am assuming line level out of the Eleven Rack to a line level Aux In. You need to validate this assumption because if there is a level mismatch you will have problems.

My suggestion is to get an Ebetch HE-2 XLR ($93).
tbn:ANd9GcQIl-M0hm33jcPBQR_yKjutBgsDVgH0ktP-kFZ7EZp78l0Ux7oMGtaOb5WMpVOaCwq-ohO6_EAFOIo&usqp=CAc.png


Then use a breakout cable backwards.

Two options. Use RCA to 3.5MM.
upload_2020-10-24_0-34-0.jpeg

This option requires a pair of RCA to 1/4" adapters.
?q=tbn%3AANd9GcRX5Wp_KA0c5fOeMrnMjONMIIqLfqW5zY2XI0W0DMlcwQAZYdZ7YNtwutoLKCJzrUBEGo1UEw&usqp=CAc.jpg


Or buy a 3.5mm to 1/4" breakout
upload_2020-10-24_0-38-10.jpeg


If you don't know 3.5mm is the same as 1/8"

The Ebtech uses 1:1 isolation transformers, which is the best passive way to convert from balanced to unbalanced. The 1/4" jacks are TRS, so they work with balanced (TRS) or unbalanced (TS) 1/4" plugs.


I have the original version of the Ebtech that only has 1/4" jacks, and it's a handy little problem solver.
 
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#5
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#6
Wasnex said:
You have a single XLR output wired for stereo, that's your adapter. For example, I have put together IEM systems that ran stereo IEM mixes through XLR cables.


I could be wrong, but I don't think it's what he OP needs.
Click to expand...
you're describing a normal balanced XLR to balanced TRS cable, pin 2 tip, pin 3 ring.

i think this one is not that, rather it actually turns mono balanced XLR into unbalanced stereo TRS, pin 2 goes to tip and ring
 
#7
walterw said:
you're describing a normal balanced XLR to balanced TRS cable, pin 2 tip, pin 3 ring.

i think this one is not that, rather it actually turns mono balanced XLR into unbalanced stereo TRS, pin 2 goes to tip and ring
Click to expand...


Okay, I think this is an equivalent wiring diagram to what you are describing.
upload_2020-10-25_3-41-22.png

So a single XLR feeds both sides of the stereo 3.5mm plug. Essentially you get dual mono.


You can also use an adapter to combine separate Left/Right XLR channels into stereo 3.5mm, but the solution I proposed with isolation transformers in post #3 is better.

I found this wiring diagram.
upload_2020-10-25_3-43-45.png

I believe the tip is considered Left and the ring is considered Right.

Clear as mud?
 
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#9
byacey said:
Depending on the balanced line driver topology, grounding pin 3 may not be necessary; it could well amount to nothing more than shorting out half of the line driver amplifier. If it's transformer coupled output, or a cross-coupled Howland drive circuit, pin 3 would have to be tied to ground.
Click to expand...

Yep, you may want to modify the wiring based on the output topology.

I originally created some alternate wiring diagrams, but figured it would just add confusion, so I deleted them.

Here is some relevant info from the Rane connection guide. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I don't believe any of these diagrams address the connector we need directly. But you can use these diagrams to improve and tailor the diagrams in post #7. However...I still contend that the best solution is to use isolation transformers.

n110fig4a.png


Here is a link that explains the term "cross coupled output." Scroll down to the Appendix.
Unity Gain and Impedance Matching: Strange Bedfellows
 
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#10
Sorry I was out for the weekend.
Eleven Rack output is balanced XLR mono line-level.
Mixer in unbalanced 3.5mm (1/8") stereo line-level.
Using a dual mono output transformer, I will only use for side and it will not solve the mono-stereo. I'm trying to now use adapters/Y cables if possible, as it seems there are some "all in one" cable already available. Just want to know which one.

Will this one work?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077L4NTK...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
 
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#11
If there is only one xlr output on your signal source, there is no need for a maintaining stereo input on the mixer.
Tie the tip and ring together on the 3.5mm TRS, and feed the signal hot to both tip and ring. This sums to mono in your mixer.

The cable you linked to will not work. What kind of mixer only has a 3.5mm stereo input?
 
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#13
My mixer has 6 inputs on XLR combi jacks and 1 stereo input on 3.5mm, no pan control on inputs, no balance control on main output. I need to keep it stereo (dual-mono) or I will get sound only on one side.
99% of the time I will do fine with only 6 inputs. But I want to plan a solution where I (might need a third microphone per example and) will have to move my Eleven Rack to the 3.5mm stereo input (last input available).

The cable in the link has tip and ring together from pin 2, why would it not work?
 
#15
byacey said:
What kind of mixer only has a 3.5mm stereo input
Click to expand...
DirtDog said:
Yes, very odd unless it's a Radio Shack mixer!
Click to expand...
Mackie ProDX8.
The 3.5mm stereo input is to connect a computer/phone/tablet/mp3 player. No reverb, compression and HPF like other inputs but still has EQ with mid-sweep. Pretty usable for my Eleven Rack as the sound is already FOH ready from my patches and might only need a bit of EQ to adjust for the room.
 
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#17
DonaldR said:
Sorry I was out for the weekend.
Eleven Rack output is balanced XLR mono line-level.
Mixer in unbalanced 3.5mm (1/8") stereo line-level.
Using a dual mono output transformer, I will only use for side and it will not solve the mono-stereo. I'm trying to now use adapters/Y cables if possible, as it seems there are some "all in one" cable already available. Just want to know which one.

Will this one work?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077L4NTK...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Click to expand...

I would go with the one @walterw recommended in post #4 because a wiring diagram is provided.
Here is the link to the product on the Hosa websight: XLR3F to Right-angle 3.5 mm TRS - Mic Cables | Hosa Cables

and here is the wiring diagram
XVM-100F_diagram1-600x254.jpg


If you get a ground loop, then using one of these adapters with an Ebtech HE-2 XLR should break the ground loop. But I would try just the adapter first.
 
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