I have a tascam US224 usb interface. Connected to its two XLR ins is a
Yamaha MG16/4 mixer. This Mixer has two main output options: XLR or
1/4". I figure it makes no sense to convert an already balanced signal
from a mic plugged into the mixer into an unbalanced signal to send to
the recording. But whenever I use the XLR cable, I have to run my mic
levels extremely low in order to avoid overloading the signal on the
tascam. Both the mixer out and Tascam in are +4dB handling, so there's
no mismatch there, and the gain levels are at no high level on the
mixer. As a matter of fact, in order to keep from clipping, I've had
to turn the trims on the Tascam ALL the way down—and sometimes it
STILL clips. Any clue?

"Matt" wrote in message
om
I have a tascam US224 usb interface. Connected to its two XLR ins is a
Yamaha MG16/4 mixer. This Mixer has two main output options: XLR or
1/4". I figure it makes no sense to convert an already balanced signal
from a mic plugged into the mixer into an unbalanced signal to send to
the recording. But whenever I use the XLR cable, I have to run my mic
levels extremely low in order to avoid overloading the signal on the
tascam.

The XLR inputs are mic inputs, not line inputs.

The 1/4 inputs are balanced, line level inputs when the front panel
Mic/line-Gtr switch is in the Mic/line position. These are the proper inputs
for the output of a mixer.

Both the mixer out and Tascam in are +4dB handling, so there's
no mismatch there, and the gain levels are at no high level on the
mixer.

Applying a line level input to a mic input is a GROSS mismatch.

As a matter of fact, in order to keep from clipping, I've had
to turn the trims on the Tascam ALL the way down-and sometimes it
STILL clips. Any clue?

RTFM.

http://www.tascam.com/products/US-22...224_manual.pdf

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Matt" wrote in message
om
I have a tascam US224 usb interface. Connected to its two XLR ins is a
Yamaha MG16/4 mixer. This Mixer has two main output options: XLR or
1/4". I figure it makes no sense to convert an already balanced signal
from a mic plugged into the mixer into an unbalanced signal to send to
the recording. But whenever I use the XLR cable, I have to run my mic
levels extremely low in order to avoid overloading the signal on the
tascam.

The XLR inputs are mic inputs, not line inputs.

The 1/4 inputs are balanced, line level inputs when the front panel
Mic/line-Gtr switch is in the Mic/line position. These are the proper
inputs
for the output of a mixer.

Both the mixer out and Tascam in are +4dB handling, so there's
no mismatch there, and the gain levels are at no high level on the
mixer.

Applying a line level input to a mic input is a GROSS mismatch.

Yup. Easiest thing to do is either buy or build a PAD. Easy enough to
build. I had a diagram somewhere, but it is at the office, not here at
home. Check the net.

--
Mike D.

www.stopassaultnow.org

Remove .spamnot to respond by email



As a matter of fact, in order to keep from clipping, I've had
to turn the trims on the Tascam ALL the way down-and sometimes it
STILL clips. Any clue?

RTFM.

http://www.tascam.com/products/US-22...224_manual.pdf




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"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Matt" wrote in message
om
I have a tascam US224 usb interface. Connected to its two XLR ins
is a Yamaha MG16/4 mixer. This Mixer has two main output options:
XLR or 1/4". I figure it makes no sense to convert an already
balanced signal from a mic plugged into the mixer into an
unbalanced signal to send to the recording. But whenever I use the
XLR cable, I have to run my mic levels extremely low in order to
avoid overloading the signal on the tascam.

The XLR inputs are mic inputs, not line inputs.

The 1/4 inputs are balanced, line level inputs when the front panel
Mic/line-Gtr switch is in the Mic/line position. These are the
proper inputs for the output of a mixer.

Both the mixer out and Tascam in are +4dB handling, so there's
no mismatch there, and the gain levels are at no high level on the
mixer.

Applying a line level input to a mic input is a GROSS mismatch.

Yup. Easiest thing to do is either buy or build a PAD. Easy enough
to build. I had a diagram somewhere, but it is at the office, not
here at home. Check the net.

IME best advice is to find an appropriate cable. I have a number of pads,
built a few myself, but finding them or the proper stuff to build them is
harder than finding the right cable.

Cheapest way to build a good pad is to buy the Hosa polarity inverter and
rewire it. 3 identical resistors in the 200 ohm (mics) - 3,000 ohm (line)
range make a nice approx 10 dB pad. Put one resistor across pins 2-3 of the
output and use the other two for jumpers to pins 2 & 3 of the input.

"Mike Dobony"

Arny wrote
Applying a line level input to a mic input is a GROSS mismatch.

Yup. Easiest thing to do is either buy or build a PAD. Easy enough to
build. I had a diagram somewhere, but it is at the office, not here at home.
Check the net.

Don't console manufacturers deliberately make mic ins XLR and line ins
1/4" TRSs o one DOESN'T try to run line level signals into mic inputs? What
happens if phantom power is turned on and "kisses" the output stage of a
connected DAT deck or Reverb unit or whatever? Something like that had fried
the output stage blocking caps on a Sony DAT player I picked up used a while
back, I thought as it has line level outs on XLR's that may be what indeed had
happened.

Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

In article ospam writes:

Don't console manufacturers deliberately make mic ins XLR and line ins
1/4" TRSs o one DOESN'T try to run line level signals into mic inputs?

Yes, but some people don't understand the difference (some simply
don't know the term "line" and what it means), it's not always clearly
explained in the manual, and it's easy for a beginner to assume that
if the plug fits it should work.

Blame the customer for not asking before he buys, or blame the dealer
for not feeling out the customer to see what else he should sell him
or what needs explaining. "Do you have all the cables you'll need to
hook this up?" is a good leading question. If the answer is "I have a
mic cable and a guitar cable. Isn't that all I need?" that's a good
tip-off that the customer needs some more education.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me he double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo