[Julien Bernier]

Hi,
I just bough 2 KRK monitors and I have so much input options I just
can't decide. But first I'd like to know the main differences between
those three types of connectors.
I know XLR might be the better choice, but maybe I'm wrong and I could
use any of the three and get the same sound at the end.

Thanks for your advice,
JBH

[Rob Reedijk]

Julien Bernier wrote:
Hi,
I just bough 2 KRK monitors and I have so much input options I just
can't decide. But first I'd like to know the main differences between
those three types of connectors.
I know XLR might be the better choice, but maybe I'm wrong and I could
use any of the three and get the same sound at the end.


These days I tend towards the one that is the most convenient i.e. hook
it up using the same type as the device feeding it so that I don't have
to use a cable with two different types of connectors.

But, if you want to insist on doing things right:

XLR is best. It is the most durable and if you can hear it, it will have the
best quality. XLR is also good since it is most convenient for chaining
shorter cables together for extended lengths---and once again the most
reliable for this.

Neither RCA nor TRS are all that great. They both tend to fail over time.
RCA is difficult to repair after it fails, TRS not as bad.

If you have choices, you probably have -10dBV level on the RCA and +4 dBU
on the TRS and XLR. Try to match to your output source based on this.
If you feed -10 with a +4 signal, you are likely to overload.

Balancing for noise rejection and ground lifting can be a concern. I have
a Bryston power amp that only has unbalanced inputs. With certain mixers
I get a ground loop hum. It is very slight and doesn't really bother
me until...
I hook up Stax headphones which hang directly off the speaker outputs of
an amp but require that the amp be fed at a lower volume than speakers
and then the hum is unbearable.

Rob R.

[Scott Dorsey]

Julien Bernier wrote:
I just bough 2 KRK monitors and I have so much input options I just
can't decide. But first I'd like to know the main differences between
those three types of connectors.

They are different shapes and sizes. The XLR probably carries balanced
line instead of unbalanced (but doesn't always). The 1/4" may or may
not. The RCA is always unbalanced.

On some gear, the balanced and unbalanced inputs expect different levels,
but not on all of it. If they do, the manual will tell you.

I know XLR might be the better choice, but maybe I'm wrong and I could
use any of the three and get the same sound at the end.

Use whatever you have the cabling for. You might want to read the FAQ
on the subject, also.
--scott

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

[Arny Krueger]

"Julien Bernier" wrote in message
ups.com...

I just bough 2 KRK monitors and I have so much input options I just
can't decide. But first I'd like to know the main differences between
those three types of connectors.

I know XLR might be the better choice, but maybe I'm wrong and I could
use any of the three and get the same sound at the end.

That could happen.

However, the XLR and TRS will have less noise pickup if noise is an issue,
because they run at higher signal voltage levels and are balanced.

XLR has the added advantage of being a locking connector. It can't be pulled
out by accident.

Also, what Scott and Rob said. ;-)

[Julien Bernier]

Hye thanks for the feedback,

The problem is: the output on my DA is 1/4'' ONLY , and my inputs on my
monitor is 1/4'', RCA and XLR (too much choice!!!11 nOooOoo!!11)
My old Power amp was RCA only, so I used 1/4 to RCA (which should be
unbalanced right?)
My output on the DA is Balanced, so are the TRS and XLR inputs in my
KRK's.(monitor)

Now my question:

Am I better going through 1/4'' ------- XLR converter orrrrrrrrr
1/4'' --- 1/4''

[Rob Reedijk]

Julien Bernier wrote:
Hye thanks for the feedback,

The problem is: the output on my DA is 1/4'' ONLY , and my inputs on my
monitor is 1/4'', RCA and XLR (too much choice!!!11 nOooOoo!!11)
My old Power amp was RCA only, so I used 1/4 to RCA (which should be
unbalanced right?)
My output on the DA is Balanced, so are the TRS and XLR inputs in my
KRK's.(monitor)

Now my question:

Am I better going through 1/4'' ------- XLR converter orrrrrrrrr
1/4'' --- 1/4''


Best would be to use a cable with an XLR on one end and a TRS on the
other.

But if you already have some TRStoTRS cables lying around and don't feel
like making or buying TRStoXLR(Male), it will probably be just fine.

Rob R.

[Arny Krueger]

"Julien Bernier" wrote in message
ups.com
Hye thanks for the feedback,

The problem is: the output on my DA is 1/4'' ONLY , and
my inputs on my monitor is 1/4'', RCA and XLR (too much
choice!!!11 nOooOoo!!11)
My old Power amp was RCA only, so I used 1/4 to RCA
(which should be unbalanced right?)
My output on the DA is Balanced, so are the TRS and XLR
inputs in my KRK's.(monitor)

Now my question:

Am I better going through 1/4'' ------- XLR converter
orrrrrrrrr 1/4'' --- 1/4''

Electrically its pretty much the same, but any XLRs you can put into the
loop give you the mechanical advantage of XLRs.

XLR-TRS patch cables aren't that hard to find.

[Julien Bernier]

Thanks for the advice Rob.
I'll go with the TRS to XLR way.

Will my speaker sound louder with this setup?
For now I rarely used them at other settings than the default -30db.
(Loud enough for my room.)
I heard on this thread unbalanced RCA plugs are lower in db.

Oh yeah and another question:
Is it normal that if my monitors are ON, I can't use my microphone
because there is a High pitched note (like a hum, but in the Hi) like a
screeching sound that makes my ears bleed.
I think it might be because of a kind of loop between the microphone,
the monitor, the microphone, the monitor etc.
Is that why in every good studio the monitors/mixers are in a separate
room from the microphone?

Kinda self-answering question here... But just wanted to be sure.

[Rob Reedijk]

Julien Bernier wrote:
Thanks for the advice Rob.
I'll go with the TRS to XLR way.

Will my speaker sound louder with this setup?
For now I rarely used them at other settings than the default -30db.
(Loud enough for my room.)
I heard on this thread unbalanced RCA plugs are lower in db.

Will it be louder? Should be the same as TRS to TRS. TRS to RCA might
have a small drop since in some 3 conductor connections, 2 of the conductors
each carry "half" of the signal, and when you adapt it down, (depending on
how you adapt it) you can lose some of the level.

RCA is often lower in dB, but not always. It depends how you feed them. You
can feed them levels that are quite high! But the "standard" is lower.
This is done by setting the output device to send a lower signal and the
input device amplifying it more upon receiving it to bring it up into
the working range.

Oh yeah and another question:
Is it normal that if my monitors are ON, I can't use my microphone
because there is a High pitched note (like a hum, but in the Hi) like a
screeching sound that makes my ears bleed.
I think it might be because of a kind of loop between the microphone,
the monitor, the microphone, the monitor etc.
Is that why in every good studio the monitors/mixers are in a separate
room from the microphone?

Kinda self-answering question here... But just wanted to be sure.

This is known as feedback and you are correct about why it happens.
There are some really horrible studios that use separate rooms,
by the way.

Rob R.

[Mike Rivers]

Julien Bernier wrote:

Is it normal that if my monitors are ON, I can't use my microphone
because there is a High pitched note (like a hum, but in the Hi) like a
screeching sound that makes my ears bleed.

Hey! Finally an "Is this normal?" question that I can answer "YES!!!!!"

It's called feedback and it's perfectly normal when you have the mic
where it can hear the speaker and have sufficient gain.

Is that why in every good studio the monitors/mixers are in a separate
room from the microphone?

Yes, and why musicians use headphones when they're recording.

[Julien Bernier]

I heard there was some feedback suppressors that exists, but I think
it's the wrong way to go because you always have the background music
playing when you use monitors to record.

I'll stick to my earphones. Works great anyway. I'll use my monitors
for the mixes.
Thanks guys!