Analog Transfer from a Computer Sound Card

[mcp6453[_2_]]

Is tying the left and right outputs of a computer sound card together a
problem?

http://goo.gl/s1Brc

[Phil W]

"mcp6453":

> Is tying the left and right outputs of a computer sound card together
> a problem?
>
> http://goo.gl/s1Brc

read this
http://www.rane.com/note109.html

and check out some of the other Rane notes (Support -> Library) for useful
general information.


hope that helps,
Phil

[mcp6453[_2_]]

On 5/1/2011 7:31 PM, Phil W wrote:
> "mcp6453":
>
>> Is tying the left and right outputs of a computer sound card together
>> a problem?
>>
>> http://goo.gl/s1Brc
>
> read this
> http://www.rane.com/note109.html
>
> and check out some of the other Rane notes (Support -> Library) for useful
> general information.
>
>
> hope that helps,
> Phil

Les and Phil, thanks for the article. I totally understand the problem.
My question probably centers more around whether computer manufacturers
have already included a resistor in series with the outputs to prevent
damage when the outputs are shorted or combined. Any thoughts?

[Scott Dorsey]

mcp6453 > wrote:
>Les and Phil, thanks for the article. I totally understand the problem.
>My question probably centers more around whether computer manufacturers
>have already included a resistor in series with the outputs to prevent
>damage when the outputs are shorted or combined. Any thoughts?

Even if there is no damage, there will be distortion. My thought is to
make up a couple cables with 22 ohm series resistors in them. 3.5mm TRS
on one end, XLR on the other. Breakout resistors inside the XLR since
there's more room in there.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Les Cargill[_4_]]

mcp6453 wrote:
> Is tying the left and right outputs of a computer sound card together a
> problem?
>
> http://goo.gl/s1Brc
>


It can be.

http://www.rane.com/note109.html

--
Les Cargill

[Les Cargill[_4_]]

mcp6453 wrote:
> On 5/1/2011 7:31 PM, Phil W wrote:
>> "mcp6453":
>>
>>> Is tying the left and right outputs of a computer sound card together
>>> a problem?
>>>
>>> http://goo.gl/s1Brc
>>
>> read this
>> http://www.rane.com/note109.html
>>
>> and check out some of the other Rane notes (Support -> Library) for
>> useful
>> general information.
>>
>>
>> hope that helps,
>> Phil
>
> Les and Phil, thanks for the article. I totally understand the problem.

Ach! My bad, then ":)

> My question probably centers more around whether computer manufacturers
> have already included a resistor in series with the outputs to prevent
> damage when the outputs are shorted or combined. Any thoughts?


I would not assume that. A VOM measurement might be of value, but
it might not be.

--
Les

[Peter Larsen[_3_]]

mcp6453 wrote:

> Les and Phil, thanks for the article. I totally understand the
> problem. My question probably centers more around whether computer
> manufacturers have already included a resistor in series with the
> outputs to prevent damage when the outputs are shorted or combined.
> Any thoughts?

Standard design for a headphone output is series resistors in the hundreds
ohm range, it would surprise me greatly if it wasn't adhered to, but it is
also standard design for a stereo-mono y-cord to include series resistors in
the 05. to 1 kohm range.

Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[Mike Rivers]

On 5/1/2011 6:58 PM, mcp6453 wrote:
> Is tying the left and right outputs of a computer sound card
> together a problem?

Usually not.

--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson

http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff

[alex]

Il 02/05/2011 0.58, mcp6453 ha scritto:
> Is tying the left and right outputs of a computer sound card together a
> problem?
>
> http://goo.gl/s1Brc
>
yes, other than the "rane" suggestion, consider to monoing "digitally"
and use just one output instead of 2.

[Arny Krueger]

"mcp6453" > wrote in message

> On 5/1/2011 7:31 PM, Phil W wrote:
>> "mcp6453":
>>
>>> Is tying the left and right outputs of a computer sound
>>> card together a problem?
>>>
>>> http://goo.gl/s1Brc
>>
>> read this
>> http://www.rane.com/note109.html
>>
>> and check out some of the other Rane notes (Support -> Library) for
>> useful general information.
>>
>>
>> hope that helps,
>> Phil
>
> Les and Phil, thanks for the article. I totally
> understand the problem. My question probably centers more
> around whether computer manufacturers have already
> included a resistor in series with the outputs to prevent
> damage when the outputs are shorted or combined. Any
> thoughts?

It's pretty standard to put a "building out" resistor in series with the
off-board output of any op amp.

Value - 22, 75, 220, 620 ohms.

It is also pretty standard to include some kind of short-circuit protection.

That all said, the 100% safe (or as close to that as you can get) solution
for Y-cables includes some series resistors of its own. I usually use 620
ohm resistors.