Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: fherdeg on October 04, 2017, 04:33:49 PM

Title: SF-2: Balanced cables?
Post by: fherdeg on October 04, 2017, 04:33:49 PM

Sorry for the most likely completely novice question but should I be using balanced or unbalanced patch cables with my Superfilter? I am using it in the effects loop of my preamp/amp. I just learned something else new about the super filter this week and now I'm questioning everything I know (or think I know) about it.

Thanks in advance!
Fell

Title: Re: SF-2: Balanced cables?
Post by: hieronymous on October 05, 2017, 09:53:15 AM

I just use regular instrument cables, same as I use between effects, etc. The only time I use a different cable would be speaker cable from power amp to speaker cab.

Title: Re: SF-2: Balanced cables?
Post by: mica on October 05, 2017, 06:30:47 PM

The outputs on the SF-2 are unbalanced.

Title: Re: SF-2: Balanced cables?
Post by: lbpesq on October 05, 2017, 06:55:50 PM

If I understand this correctly, a balanced cable will have TRS ("Tip, Ring Sleve") 1/4" plugs, (often called "stereo plugs"), while an unbalanced cable will employ TS "mono" 1/4" plugs.  The TRS equipped cable can be used both as a balanced mono cable and as an unbalanced stereo cable.  The critical difference is between audio cable and speaker cables, and one should NEVER swap these as you could wind up with a noisy instrument and/or a damaged amp. 

Bill, tgo

Title: Re: SF-2: Balanced cables?
Post by: gtrguy on October 05, 2017, 07:40:29 PM

Never use a mono cable with headphones, it can short out your equipment.

Title: Re: SF-2: Balanced cables?
Post by: fherdeg on October 07, 2017, 05:43:49 PM

Great, thanks everyone!