While balanced circuits can prevent interference from appearing in your signal, it's really only necessary for longer cable runs and if you are having interference problems from broadcast facilities and other electrical interference.

Sometimes, in the case of interfacing your equipment with a PA Company's equipment, your 3 pin balanced outputs can still cause problems since the grounds are connected, in most cases. The PA Company, may prefer to use a transformer isolated direct injection box. They would do this because the transformer electrically isolates each device from each other, while allowing one to "lift" or disconnect the grounds.

In many cases, unbalanced can provide a better quality signal since less circuitry and devices are needed. One of the most famous hit record mastering facilities, which had all custom-made equipment, was specified to be unbalanced since this actually creates a better "LESS IS MORE" signal path.

So the answer to your question is, if you are having problems with interference, humz and buzzes, go balanced. If you're not having problems like that, then make sure you just KISS and make nice.

Don't worry darling, mother still loves you.
Ms. Remy Ann David

wow...
thats most illuminating. thanks so much for your reply! I'll probably go unbalanced for most of the chains...
i do have some hum problems with one of the keyboards, but i have a hum-eliminator that seems to bring it down quite a bit. Though i might try a balanced line to see if that does it too...

godspeed,
c

one of those DI's remy just mentioned could well be the answer to your prayers on that keyboard...