Balanced XLR output / MIC XLR input connections on DJ mixers?

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Carl_Vandelay

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If there are XLR MIC inputs on a DJ mixer,will the mixer have phantom power to hook up a condenser mic. and if not what is the difference between the cords used for the balanced XLR outputs on the back of the mixer and the condenser mic XLR inputs on the back of the mixer? Are these different types of connections? Thanks.

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Since both of the XLR outputs are balanced can you use one channel, instead of both the left and right channels? If not, what does balanced mean?
 
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I can't think of any DJ mixers that have phantom power on the mic inputs, although the high end A&H and maybe the Soundcraft D-Mix 1000 did, but I would say that about 95% or more don't.

wired properly, a balanced cable is a balanced cable, whether for mic or line level signal (for analogue at least, YMMV for AES XLR connections, but that won't be an issue on DJ mixers either).
 
Can XLR outs be used for recording into multitrack recorders ? Is the output sound better than/as good as rca out?
 
Balanced connections are better for long cable runs. The three pins are all used for one channel, so you still need L and R. I do not think any DJ mixers have phantom power. Condenser mics are not suited for club environments where most DJ mixers reside, and also, why waste the sonic goodness of a nice mic through a pre-amp that was installed as an afterthought?
 
So is the XLR connection better sound quality(less noise)than the TRS connection? Because the Rane TTM56 has TRS balanced outs and most people boast that it has the best sound quality of all scratch mixers.
 
Also what is AES/EBU(Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union) in relation to XLR? Thanks to anyone who can help me understand this.
 
No there shouldn't be any difference in quality between a balanced TRS 1/4" jack or XLR connector.
I like XLR because the connector is nice and secure.
For short runs I doubt you will be able to tell the 'quality' difference between balanced and unbalanced. The main thing is that balanced outs are usually the right output level for pro equipment (+4dBu or thereabouts).
 
Thanks. I'm recording into a AW16g. Would the difference between XLR and TRS be noticable in a professional recording?
 
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There will not be any difference between an XLR and TRS - they are both balanced signals.
 
Carl_Vandelay said:
Also what is AES/EBU(Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union) in relation to XLR? Thanks to anyone who can help me understand this.
Click to expand...

the AES defined a spec for carrying digital audio using an XLR plug, thus it is called AES as opposed to SPDIF, etc.

nicer digital gear may have digital I/O on XLR also
 
also you shouldnt run balanced outputs into an unbalanced input

some mixers do have Phantom Power for their mic inputs...certain ECLER models (the NUO, the SCLAT and MAC series) have this feature.
 
Another note about balanced vs unbalanced. DON'T mix and match. Try to keep the same type throughout your soundchain. In other word's, if you come out of your mixer balanced, everything between the mixer and amp or recording device (such as eq, effects, somnic maximizer) should be balanced. If you come out unbalanced keep it unbalanced. For me, when you factor in longer cable runs, better connections and less RF interference XLR is just a better choice.
 
There is no sound quality difference between types of balanced connections. There is not really a sound quality difference between balanced and unbalanced connections. Balanced connections are however considered "professional" and work much better for long cable runs (the balanced design helps prevent interference).

AES/EBU connections are digital connections and do not have anything to do with DJ gear at this point in time.
 
Another note about balanced vs unbalanced. DON'T mix and match. Try to keep the same type throughout your soundchain. In other word's, if you come out of your mixer balanced, everything between the mixer and amp or recording device (such as eq, effects, somnic maximizer) should be balanced. If you come out unbalanced keep it unbalanced. For me, when you factor in longer cable runs, better connections and less RF interference XLR is just a better choice.
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It`s that true ?
Im going to buy an Allen & Heath Xone 92 , that has XLR and Jacks main output.
But i have rca input in mi pre amplifier Technics.
A friend of mine is going to make a wire to fit the Jack main output of the mixer with the rca input of my pre-amp.
I think its going to work just fine.
The jack 1/4 output of the mixer is
-2db , and the rca input of my pre-amplifier is -10db .The technical support of Allen & Heath , says that the mixer is prepared for any connection.
So my question is ...
It´s going to be a difference of quality sound or any difference of any type ?
Please i need your request guys , cause now im in doubt .
Any request will be very apreciatted.
Cheers from Argentina.

By the way , its my first post , i have registered 30 minutes ago.
 
ojroroc said:
Another note about balanced vs unbalanced. DON'T mix and match. Try to keep the same type throughout your soundchain. In other word's, if you come out of your mixer balanced, everything between the mixer and amp or recording device (such as eq, effects, somnic maximizer) should be balanced. If you come out unbalanced keep it unbalanced. For me, when you factor in longer cable runs, better connections and less RF interference XLR is just a better choice.
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
It`s that true ?
Im going to buy an Allen & Heath Xone 92 , that has XLR and Jacks main output.
But i have rca input in mi pre amplifier Technics.
A friend of mine is going to make a wire to fit the Jack main output of the mixer with the rca input of my pre-amp.
I think its going to work just fine.
The jack 1/4 output of the mixer is
-2db , and the rca input of my pre-amplifier is -10db .The technical support of Allen & Heath , says that the mixer is prepared for any connection.
So my question is ...
It´s going to be a difference of quality sound or any difference of any type ?
Please i need your request guys , cause now im in doubt .
Any request will be very apreciatted.
Cheers from Argentina.

By the way , its my first post , i have registered 30 minutes ago.
Click to expand...
---------------------------------------

Anyone could help me ??
Cheers.
 
ojroroc said:

---------------------------------------

Anyone could help me ??
Cheers.
Click to expand...
---------------------------------------
Anyone ???
Please , help me
 
Hi,

you seen to have almost the same problem with me, I came on the forum to ask an XLR cable length problem, but here's what I'm doing ;

Basically, the bar has rca inputs only to their house mixer, and I'm setting up a dj stand 25 metres away.
So what I'm doing, is running balanced xlr cables all the way, straight from my dn-x1500 mixer, and then converting to unbalanced phono outputs using an "ART CleanBox" just before it hits the house mixer ( cloud cx-133 ), cleanbox is here ;

http://www.boomerangsounds.co.uk/product.php?xProd=274

That way, I'll have a lot better signal.
My original question was, is 25 metres an ok length for an XLR run ?

Mike
 
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