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Description
A balanced circuit is circuitry for use with a balanced line or the balanced line itself. Balanced lines are a common method of transmitting many types of electrical communication signals between two points on two wires. In a balanced line the two signal lines are of a matched impedance to help ensure that interference induced in the line is common-mode and can be removed at the receiving end by circuitry with good common-mode rejection. To maintain the balance, circuit blocks which interface to the line, or are connected in the line, must also be balanced. Balanced lines work because the interfering noise from the surrounding environment induces equal noise voltages into both wires. By measuring the voltage difference between the two wires at the receiving end, the original signal is recovered while the noise is rejected. Any inequality in the noise induced in each wire is an imbalance and will result in the noise not being fully rejected. One requirement for balance is that both wires are an equal distance from the noise source. This is often achieved by placing the wires as close together as possible and twisting them together. Another requirement is that the impedance to ground (or to whichever reference point is being used by the difference detector) is the same for both conductors at all points along the length of the line. If one wire has a higher impedance to ground it will tend to have a higher noise induced, destroying the balance.

Recommended brands for balanced Jack Leads?

Hi,
Please can I ask the forums advice on their recommended brands of balanced Jack Leads?

Previously I've made up my own cables using balanced FST cable and budget jack plugs but have had problems with the connections breaking and then having to re-solder.
So now with my DAW set-up having such few cables I was thinking of investing in some high quality cables.

Lexicon Lxp-1 Unbalanced / Balanced leads

I have just purchased a second hand Laxicon Lxp-1 which is my first external processor. I have a soundcard with 8 ins & 8 outs (balanced).
The Lxp-1 is unbalanced. All inputs/outputs are jack leads

What is the difference in unbalanced & balanced and are there unbalanced/balanced leads, or does this just mean stereo or mono jack leads.

CD recorder - balanced vs. . unbalanced input?

Hi,

I'm looking at the Tascam RW-750 and the HHB CDR-830 for recording a send from my mixer - both units have unbalanced RCA inputs. The recorder will sit right next to the mixer so the cable run will only be short. I was wondering if it is worth spending the extra money to get a unit with balanced inputs...

Any comments/advice would be appreciated.

Ian.