Owner manual
PRODUCT MANUALPRODUCT MANUAL
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CONNECTING RECORDING SOURCES CONNECTING RECORDING SOURCES
11.2. Connecting the LR-16 to Unbalanced Direct Outputs
In other situations, the inputs of the LR-16 may be fed from “direct outputs” of a signal source,
either a mixing console, or alternatively a pair of standalone 8-channel microphone pre-ampliers.
In some mixing consoles, these direct outputs will be in the form of an unbalanced ¼” connector,
also known as a TS (tip-sleeve) connector.
Standard TS Cable Configuration
Tip = Output, Sleeve = GND
In these situations, the LR-16’s inputs will expect to be fed from a TRS connector at its inputs. In
order to achieve this, use one of the following two solutions:
• Use a set of cables that provide an unbalanced TS connector on one end, and a balanced
TRS connector on the other end. The cables would provide this unbalanced to balanced
conversion by disconnecting the ring portion of the TRS connector from the signal path.
• Use a TS to TS cable, and on the end of the cable that connects to the LR-16 input, add a
TS-to-TRS adapter
TS-to-TRS Adapter (ring not connected)
Refer to the LR-16 product page on the Cymatic Audio website, for links on where to purchase
either of the above types of cables/adapters.
11.3. Connecting the LR-16 to Balanced Direct Outputs
Another possible connection scenario for the LR-16 is connecting it again to the direct outputs of
a mixing console or multi-channel microphone preamp, but in this case, those devices only offer
direct outputs in balanced form.
Balanced direct outputs are typically offered as TRS connectors, XLR connectors, or sometimes
as an 8-channel “DB-25” connector that is meant to be used with a cable harness, that terminates
on the other end with the appropriate connectors.
When feeding the LR-16’s inputs from a balanced source, the connectors feeding the LR-16
inputs must handle a short from Ring to ground (GND) properly. The same setup as previously
described for an unbalanced direct output can be used.
The two diagrams below show the normal conguration for a balanced signal when present on a
TRS connector, as well as an XLR connector.
Tip = hot, Ring = cold, Sleeve = GND 2 hot, 3 = cold, 1 = GND
Make sure to use a cable that offers a TRS or XLR connector on one end (which will be
connected to the balanced direct output) and an unbalanced TS connector on the other end. This
type of cable will perform the balanced to unbalanced conversion by leaving the “cold” signal
disconnected (pin 3 on an XLR cable, or the ring on a TRS connector).
Then, attach a TS-TRS adapter, wired as shown below, to the TS connector. The TS connector,
now adapted for balanced operation, can connect to an input of the LR-16.
TS-to-TRS Adapter (ring not connected)
Another option is to purchase a multi-channel wiring harness that implements these signal path
modications within the cable, so that no physical adapters are required.
In rare cases where the balanced audio source cannot tolerate a shorted Ring to ground, as
described above, you may use the following approach:
• Use a cable such as Hosa PXF105 (an XLR-to-TS cable that leaves XLR pin 3 open)
• Attach TS-to-TRS adapters to the TS connectors of the PXF105, at the LR16 inputs