Follow up thread on headphone amp connections

[tothemax]

I originally posted this in the recording gear section as it is for studio use. Since it is hardware related, this might be a better forum. Just trying to figure out what best practices would be, and since it is a rackmount unit would like to do it correctly.

Question is in regard to connections from my mixer to this HA4400 quad headphone amp. Phones output on mixer (Tascam Model 16) is unbalanced stereo TRS, inputs on headphone amp are balanced mono TRS / XLR.

Current Plan:
First I need to split the TRS stereo from the mixer to TS mono, then use a Hum eliminator box to convert the TS mono to XLR to make the main connection to the HA4400. I have a Pyle PHE400 that I can test with, making a TRS stereo splitter cable to test today.

For custom Aux mixes there is the opposite issue balanced mono TRS out from the mixer and unbalanced stereo TRS input to the HA4400 (front panel direct/Aux in). Is a converter necessary to minimize noise or just make an adapter cable.

Clarification would be much appreciated...

Cheers

Link to original post. Details on both units here: Adding a rackmount headphone amp

 

[tothemax]

Success on the Main Input using the Pyle converter TS \ XLR - works great.

Some pix on the original post.

Next project - Figure out the Aux input.

 

[Roland GR 88]

Why not use balanced 1/4” cables from either the sub or control room outputs directly to the rear 1/4” inputs of the headphone amp. If you prefer use balanced 1/4” to xlr cables.

 

[Mike Caldwell]

On that mixer you could use the control room outputs if there not already in use to feed the main inputs on the headphone amp. For the aux ins you would need to make up cables that would take the + of the aux out line and send it to both the tip and ring on the headphone amp aux in.

 

[tothemax]

The draw to use the headphone out was the AFL/PFL Blend and Volume controls, but the Sub fader should provide the same feature.

RGR,
I had thought about using the Sub outputs as they have a dedicated fader, my concern was that the Sub outputs were tied to the channel fader and how this would work when using the mixer as a DAW interface. That said, did a bit of research on the board, specifically the PFL \ AFL channel buttons which was where the original concern was. With a better understanding the Pre-Fader Listen (PFL), After-Fader Listen (AFL) should be fine with the output from the Sub bus. That's an easy solution as the HA4400 has both XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs, so a single 1/4" TRS cable per channel should do the trick. That leaves the board headphone jack open for direct use. (the Model series defaults channels 1 & 2 for USB output to the mixer - PC\DAW. It has a lot of great features, but there is a learning curve).

MC,
I use the Control Room outputs for my studio monitors, so the Sub will probably be the best way for the permanent source. Shouldn't be a big deal to modify a couple of TRS cables to support the AUX connections.

Thank you much, appreciate the solid feedback

 

[Roland GR 88]

Where are the main outputs going?
These would normally be used for your monitors.

 

[tothemax]

Main goes to a power amp and set of main speakers, for live practices in the studio. Control room to the monitors for mixing and recording, and now Subs are going to the headphone amp. I could use the HA4400 outputs and connect it in series with the Main or CR. I think this is probably a good setup, having a solid option for "quiet" DI sessions was the target.

Cheers

 

[brianrost]

I helped a friend set up his Tascam 16 to a Behringer HA8000 headphone amp in his home recording studio. The HA8000 is like the HA4400 except it drives eight sets of phones. It wasn’t as complicated as what you are considering. I recall using 1/4” TS cables to patch the Monitor outputs to the headphone amp. I had no noise issues with an unbalanced connection, but if you are looking at a hum eliminator you must be having some issues already.

Anyway, will you send the same mix to the headphone amps as to the board’s headphone out?

On the Tascam 16, only the main L/R outs use XLR balanced, all the other outputs (sub, monitors 1/2, control room) are on TRS balanced, the HA4400 has both XLR and TRS for the L/R inputs. Reagardless of what mix you want to send to the HA4400, you can just use cables with TRS plus on both ends.

 

[tothemax]

BR,
That was my original plan, hence the converter. Using the Subs was a much more direct solution, standard TRS connection, and leaves the Main and CR faders independent of the headphone amp (Sub Volume). I modified a TRS cable to connect the mixer Aux out to the HA4400 Aux in. That supports sending an Aux mix to the Direct input on the main channel on the headphone amp, or using the individual Aux inputs and blending the aux mix with the Sub mix. Works really well, was practicing with a few YouTube Karaoke videos today and blended in the bass and vocals. Nice clean signal, plenty of volume.

Cheers