mark wrote:
I notice some audio interfaces have either XLR and 1/4" TRS balanced inputs,
or both. The MOTU 896HD has mainly XLR while the MOTU 828mkII has mainly
TRS. My question is, can Mics be plugged into balanced TRS inputs? XLR-TRS
cables?

If the TRS input has enough gain, and if phantom power is not an issue,
yes. The problem is that most TRS inputs are line level and not mike level,
so there is no preamp and not enough gain for typical mikes.

Say I had a 828MKii and wanted to record 3 mics, it only has 2 XLR inputs

Yes, the other inputs on that box are line-level only. You would need an
external preamp to bring the mike signal up 40 dB or so to line level.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."