TRS Balanced cables

[Papakeys]

A minor twist to the FAQ ? about the output jacks on The Fantom X6...ECT>>>

If the Brand New PA board our group uses is not running in stereo, what difference do I gain by using TRS or Balanced cables to a (1) amp stage enviorment?

Just in case you wonder what amp specs....Alesis Sumo 300 with 4 channels, each having a pair of "BALANCED" (Left/Right) jacks.

I tried using TRS Cables, and I noticed no increase in volume over using standard Instrument cables, but have used both Left/Right for months using regular instrument cables, and wonder if that is just redundant with present configuration.

Secondary question comes to mind then.....Do I or Should I really need to use both Left and Right jacks using only 1 Sumo 300 presently? Or is 1 cable from the Left (Mix) jack adequate?

PapaKeys

[tcplugin]

My advice: always use high quality balanced cables when ever you can, they are less sentive to noise. To give you some background, I copied a piece from Yamaha:

Balanced, Unbalanced?What's the Difference?
In a word: 'noise'. The whole point of balanced lines is noise rejection, and it's something they're very good at. Any length of wire will act as an antenna to pick up the random electromagnetic radiation we're constantly surrounded by: radio and TV signals as well as spurious electromagnetic noise generated by power lines, motors, electric appliances, computer monitors, and a variety of other sources. The longer the wire, the more noise it is likely to pick up. That's why balanced lines are the best choice for long cable runs. If your 'studio' is basically confined to your desktop and all connections are no more than a meter or two in length, then unbalanced lines are fine - unless you're surrounded by extremely high levels of electromagnetic noise. Another place balanced lines are almost always used is in microphone cables. The reason for this is that the output signal from most microphones is very small, so even a tiny amount of noise will be relatively large, and will be amplified to an alarming degree in the mixer's highgain head amplifier.

To summarize:
Microphones: Use balanced lines.
Short line-level runs: Unbalanced lines are fine if you're in a relatively noise-free environment.
Long line-level runs: The ambient electromagnetic noise level will be the ultimate deciding factor, but balanced is best.

Sjaak - Sometimes new technology gives us new ways to screw things up

[Liquid]

Before buying various cables, I asked Roland if the mic input on the Fantom would take a balanced connection and they said it would. So I tried it and got no signal. Using an old unbalanced works but then is susceptible to noise as you mentioned.

Has anyone else found this?

[tcplugin]

I use the mix-in on the Fantom with balanced cables (L+R), no problem. Should work.

Sjaak - Sometimes new technology gives us new ways to screw things up

[Liquid]

In that case I'll look into again - did seem strange that it wouldn't work. I was using a standard 1/4" to XLR socket cable. Is a mic cable wired differently perchance? Thanks.

[Kakaroto]

Hey, I must ask something off-topic:)

How's the Sumo 300? S*cks?Good?Perfect?
In means of sound quality from the Fantom, not the whole band..

sorry, and thx.

Yours, Guy

A proud owner of a Fantom X8 !!
"Life is not a waffle" - G.a.b.a.b

[Papakeys]

Thanks for asking about the amp Kakaroto.

I Purchased the Alesis Sumo 300 this year in February due to my OLD Peavey KB300 having all kinds of noise issues.

If I had to rate the Sumo 300 in comparison to the Old KB 300 I'd say "Good".

The major benefits of the Sumo are:

#1 Onboard Digital Effects vs "Ye Old Spring Reverb" in the KB300

#2. All 4 Channels in the Sumo have Balanced Left & Right TRS 1/4" Input Jacks...as well as XLR on Channel 1

#3. Stereo Jack on the Sumo 300 allows to run a true Stereo Stage configuration with 2 Sumo's. (Roland's KB5 does this also)

#4. Left & Right XLR Outputs to go to PA Mixer

Now for the "Cons" of the Sumo

#1. Factory 15" Woofer is "OK" but no comparison to the "Black Widow" 15" in my old KB300

#2 The Horn is Huge in the Sumo, but delivers average "HIGH END" tone - in comparison to a much smaller horn in the KB300 that will attack you with Highs on demand

#3. The EQ on the Sumo is OK, and you get Low and High extra EQ's on channel 1 only....where the KB300 had individual channel EQ's with Low's, Mid's & High's on each.


Now to Compare??? Apples and Oranges is hard to compare each realistically against the other, but for the money the Sumo seems to deliver a decent stage Keyboard monitoring solution.

My only regret is that the Alesis don't offer changes to equipment....such as paying for the difference to change the "Alesis" 15" to a Black Widow, and the horn is a real PAIN to replace yourself.

A recent club that has many acts come through, and has a very expensive HOUSE PA, mentioned that the Sumo was noisy to the send to them, though my own bands PA man has not said anything other than my Signal is "HOT", but never said anything about noise.

Would I recommend the Sumo? In 1 word "Yes"! But I would also be quick to mention some weaknesses now that I've used this amp for 8+ months straight.

Basically in a NUTSHELL...if I could buy a brand new replacement "Guts" to the KB300....I would relinquish the Sumo to a reheasal Amp,...and just to let you know I've had the KB300 for 19 years playing a minimum of 40 weekends a year.

And to end this reply...I'm contemplating doing away with a stage monitor all together, and opting to go to In Ear Monitoring my Fantom X6 directly, versus trying to fight stage volumes using an amp.

Thanks

PapaKeys