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I know this is basic, but. . . Can anyone descibe exactly how to integrate an unbalanced source (ie., Keyboard or Sound Module) into an otherwise balanced TT patchbay? I'm getting a few buzzes here and there, and I'm not sure which connections to lift or at which end. Thanks.

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erockerboy Mon, 09/24/2001 - 12:36

There seem to be two modes of thought on this question.

Probably the "best" option is to convert unbalanced signals into balanced, by means of a balancing transformer or D.I. There are a bunch of products on the market that will do this kind of thing, or you can roll your own... just buy a bunch of Jensen instrument xfrmr's, wire 'em into a rack panel or two, and voila, you've got yourself a nice balancing network on the cheap.

The quick n' dirty option is to tie the "cold" leg to ground on the output side. I've done this with different unbalanced pieces in my setup and it seems to work OK most of the time... altho every once in awhile you get the odd level drop or impedance mismatch kinda thing.

I'm sure people with greater technical expertise will chime in as well... but those are your options as far as my drug-addled memory can recall. Good luck!