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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 18, 2013 10:24:24 GMT -6
Audibly, I mean? I've got a bunch of extra XLR to 1/4 cables left over from having an Apollo. I've got an xlr to xlr going from the outs of my Symphony to the ins of my sub. The sub also has Balanced 1/4 ins...It would be nice to regain those XLR cables for patching outboard...All Mogami.
Basically, I'm asking if I can be cheap and not have to buy more cables...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2013 10:31:49 GMT -6
Well,
main advantage of XLR over TRS is the behaviour when you (dis)connect them.
Disconnecting an XLR is...well...noiseless. Very little chance to short something that should not be shorted.
Even if disconnection is by accident in a hot line....
When unplugging a TRS connection on a hot line you get a loud "plopp" occasionally, with the risk of reasonable damage to gear....(e.g. your monitors/sub speaker....)
I guess this is already the biggest disadvantage of TRS plug connections...
Best regards,
Martin
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2013 10:42:51 GMT -6
I.e.
due to it's construction the signal carrying TRS plug can short hot and cold in the jack resulting in an up to +6dB sharp signal peak....a twice as loud bump as your sub might want to see, actually......
BR,
Martin
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 18, 2013 10:53:15 GMT -6
So no degradation in the sound quality of xlr compared to the 1/4 inch jack?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2013 11:03:34 GMT -6
If everything is quality connectors, i don't think there should be any difference at all.
Never heard or read of anything like sound degradation due to usage of 1/4 inch vs. XLR and can't image any reason for something like that....
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Post by tonycamphd on Dec 18, 2013 11:58:10 GMT -6
Small is correct, pulling a live trs plug drags the tip over the ring, sleeve connections creating pops and potential( not likely) damage, no sound quality diff from xlr what so ever, balanced is balanced
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Post by popmann on Dec 18, 2013 12:04:13 GMT -6
Same wire involved. Only a connector difference....as long as you're talking balanced 1/4". I've had units with both and just use whatever I have the better cable available at the time of patching it in.
I would say the advantage of XLR is that they latch in. Thus...will not be pulled out by accident or rack being moved, etc...I hadn't considered disconnection noise--but, that seems reasonable, too. Shouldn't be any sonic differences.
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 18, 2013 12:36:18 GMT -6
Thanks, Fellow Slutz er...Realgearinans...!
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Post by Ward on Dec 18, 2013 12:39:23 GMT -6
Connectivity. XLRs don't dislodge as easily. That can cause a whole host of issues in patch bays and even straight connections. PLUS, in general they are higher quality construction and materials with better solder points and better insulation.
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Post by svart on Dec 18, 2013 13:16:51 GMT -6
Same wire involved. Only a connector difference....as long as you're talking balanced 1/4". I've had units with both and just use whatever I have the better cable available at the time of patching it in. I would say the advantage of XLR is that they latch in. Thus...will not be pulled out by accident or rack being moved, etc...I hadn't considered disconnection noise--but, that seems reasonable, too. Shouldn't be any sonic differences. I have latching 1/4TRS in my tie line patch panels. These prevent guitarists/bassists from accidentally pulling out the cable when they pace around the room playing and the amp is in the other room.. |
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Post by jazznoise on Dec 19, 2013 9:31:01 GMT -6
As has been said, it's all mechanics!
XLR sockets are also more sturdy than some female jack sockets. We've all had to repair a guitar/amp jack socket, right?
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Post by cenafria on Dec 20, 2013 3:19:40 GMT -6
You can't leave an xlr "half in half out" by mistake : )
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Dec 20, 2013 15:45:18 GMT -6
My advise would be to pick up a cheap iron from radio shack and a good roll of silver core solder. Neutrik ends are cheap and you can make cables on the fly for whatever your needs. This has save me tons of money in cables. We all have plenty of cable lying around that may not be the right connectors for the job, simply snip the end off and put the one you need on. I even recycle the old connectors I snip. Another great advantage of this is cut to length cables which cleans up the studio and saves dollars in cable per foot.
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Post by mobeach on Dec 21, 2013 13:56:27 GMT -6
Well, main advantage of XLR over TRS is the behaviour when you (dis)connect them. Disconnecting an XLR is...well...noiseless. Very little chance to short something that should not be shorted. Even if disconnection is by accident in a hot line.... When unplugging a TRS connection on a hot line you get a loud "plopp" occasionally, with the risk of reasonable damage to gear....(e.g. your monitors/sub speaker....) I guess this is already the biggest disadvantage of TRS plug connections... Best regards, Martin Shouldn't all connections be made prior to powering everything up? Plus I've never had any pops when changing cables as long as the master gains, and any relevant channel/track gains are down to 0. |
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Post by jazznoise on Dec 21, 2013 14:14:11 GMT -6
There is a thing called "Hot Plugging" which is considered particularly naughty when using phantom power. It's a problem that occurs on jacks and bantams, but not on XLRs.
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Dec 21, 2013 14:54:14 GMT -6
I blew up an RCA77 with an xlr!
The good thing is the contact surface is greater than a 1/4 inch. The very best are the Switchcraft silver pins. Almost everyone I know went back to them after their easier to wire Neutriks crapped out.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2013 3:18:24 GMT -6
Ouch...that hurts...
Sure, hot-plugging is generally not a good idea, especially, if something sensible to "thumps" is connected.
Plugging vintage ribbons with phantom powered lines can be deadly under special circumstances, especially if the mic has a transformer secondary with ground center tap. There, it does not matter, what kind of connectors are involved. Unfortunately...
But still, most ribbons are cooked by a short from pin 1 to 2 or 3 if phantom power is on, generally not an issue if the xlr plug is not faulty - so, the problem normally lies again at a TRS plug, e.g. while hot-patching such a line in a patch bay.
Nevertheless, the cannon plugs gained importance when audio technics went from tube to transistors, because the tube equipment was far more forgiving if someone hotplugged / disconnected accidentally, which is simply a statistically forseeable thing in broadcast.
The cannon / itt / xlr plug has a big advantage concerning this because it makes one connection first, which is ground, and this prevents all kind of noise and issues that tip/ring/shield connectors can and will produce on occasion...
This is why it is to be preferred in the first place....
LG,
M.
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