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Re: converting unbalanced signal to balanced and FR-2LE

Subject: Re: converting unbalanced signal to balanced and FR-2LE
From: "Hector Centeno" hmcenteno
Date: Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:14 am ((PST))
Hello,

Thank you for your responses. Yes, I'm aware that the 1/4 inputs in
the FR-2LE are line level so the first thing I did was to use a 1/4
inch to XLR adapter to plug the AT-822 1/4 outputs (which basically
does what Phil suggested: hot to pin 2, ground to pin 1 and 3) but to
my surprise I got a loud noise interference (buzzings that seem to
come from the electronic circuits) mixed with the audio signal. So
following this advice
http://www.dplay.com/dv/balance/balance.html#cross I built a
1/4-female to XLR-male cable soldering the hot (red) wire to pin 2 and
the ground (white) to pin 3 leaving pin 1 disconnected. Now there is
no noise! But if I touch the connector on the 1/4 end (which is
metallic) I get a soft ground hum. Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Hector


On Feb 11, 2008 1:19 PM, oryoki2000 <> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hector,
>
>  I think you'll have to convert your mic cables to XLR, and not because
>  of the balanced vs unbalanced signal issue.
>
>  Page 42 of the FR-2LE manual describes the analog inputs
>
>  "These connectors are "combo" type (both 1/4" and XLR) and can connect
>  an external microphone via the XLR connector or an external line level
>  source via the 1/4" connector."
>
>  On page 50, the manual says
>
>  "The XLR connection accepts an analog signal between -50 dBu and -10
>  dBu...the phone plug accepts a -10 dBV analog audio signal."
>
>  -10 dBV is equivalent to -7.78 dBu
>
>  This says to me that the 1/4" inputs won't work well with a microphone
>  unless the audio source is extremely loud (rock band, plane taking
>  off, huge crashing waves, etc.)
>
>  To test this idea, I found an inexpensive Radio Shack mic with 1/4"
>  output in a drawer. I plugged it into my FR-2LE and started
>  recording. I had to talk in a very loud voice, a shout almost, to
>  register a signal.
>
>  So the 1/4" input is probably not the right choice if you're trying to
>  capture a natural ambience. It might be just right to record steam
>  locomotives, however!
>
>  --oryoki
>
>  




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