Line hiss, cable question

momodig · October 9, 2019, 2:27am

I specifically referring the MODEL SAMPLE and SP404. As I haven’t had a chance to test it out with my other gear. But do people notice on both devices if you use the headphones out to mixer/recorder/amp, or what ever it be, there is less noise then using the proper stereo outs on the 404 and MODEL? I’m using a simple TSR cable on both, from the phones out jack, hiss is very minimal… but on the sp404 if I use the two rca outs to a 1/4 trs cable and on the sample, a 2 TS 1/4 inch to a single TSR 1/4 inch.

Is this improper cable issue? or is this normal? It’s more of a buzz then a hiss, but the hiss is higher.

momodig · October 9, 2019, 1:23pm

No one can comment on why this is happening?

dtr · October 9, 2019, 1:27pm

What exactly are you plugging 1x TRS into?

stutech · October 9, 2019, 1:47pm

you should not be using TRS cables as neither of these devices have balanced outputs. Always use TS cables for unbalanced interconnections.

Or wait, are you then plugging the TRS cable into an unbalanced stereo audio input socket? If so, then its ok. Otherwise, use TS cables.

momodig · October 9, 2019, 1:53pm

Currently it is going into my Tascam MK III 424 track cassette recorder. The thing is, it is two TS cable that is being plugged into the SAMPLES that leads into one single TSR cable that goes in to my recorder. And for the 404 it’s an rca cable, that is split into a single TS cable that goes into the 4 track.

dtr · October 9, 2019, 1:58pm

Sounds like that s your issue. From the looks of the tascam it seems the jack inputs are simply mono. So you want to take 2x jack TS output from the MS to 2x jack TS input on the Tascam.

Same for 404. 2x rca to 2x jack TS.

momodig · October 9, 2019, 2:01pm

gotcha… so basically I should user a regular guitar cable? The tascam can also take XLR cables as well.

dtr · October 9, 2019, 2:03pm

That should do just fine.

stutech · October 9, 2019, 2:06pm

If the tascam can take XLR cables, you can use those for balanced interconnections… But out of your equipment list, only the Model:Samples has balanced outputs. So only connect that to the XLRs, using 2 identical TRS-XLR(male) cables. Guitar cable or rca for everything else.

wickfut · October 9, 2019, 2:07pm

All my cables are balanced, always have been balanced and I’ve never ran into any issues with unbalanced bits of kit.

Just buy a noise gate. An ebay behringer or alesis compressor for £30 will do.

stutech · October 9, 2019, 2:08pm

Just cause you haven’t run into issues doesn’t mean anyone else will not.

Using incorrect interconnect cabling can create phase issues, noise, hum etc… Not saying it absolutely will, but there are valid reasons for using correct interconnecting cables.

momodig · October 9, 2019, 2:09pm

So could I connect the XLR to the headphone out on my samples? But what about the RCA outs on the 404 I can’t find RCA to TS cable… only RCA to TSR cable.

Also note, the TASCAM only has 1 input for each track (1/4 and XLR) so in theory how would I connect the SAMPLES lets say to channel one, when there is only one input for channel on the tascam. I don’t want it taking up two channels. Just use the headphone out?

stutech · October 9, 2019, 2:11pm

no, headphone output is not balanced. you need to use the quarter inch balanced outputs.

So it’s a 4-track mono input system on the tascam? You don’t want to connect a stereo output into a mono input either. Then just use one of the outputs with one TS cable, and pan all sounds to that side inside the M:S

momodig · October 9, 2019, 2:11pm

Then how do I do this? since the model samples and 404 both have two outputs, but only one input for each channel on the tascam

stutech · October 9, 2019, 2:14pm

You will either have to use two inputs on the tacam for each, or then just use one of the outputs for one input on the tascam.

momodig · October 9, 2019, 2:15pm

Oh you mean mean one out put from the MODEL to the one input of the TASCAM?

stutech · October 9, 2019, 2:15pm

wait, let me draw it for u

dtr · October 9, 2019, 2:17pm

Please read the thread before posting. He s running a stereo signal on TRS into a mono input. Your noise gate solution won t fix any of that.

momodig · October 9, 2019, 2:18pm

It’s okay dtr everyone is trying help and I appreciate it

stutech · October 9, 2019, 2:19pm

= Alternatively, use a single TRS-XLR cable for M:S left output for (impedance) balanced interconnection

You can buy stereo rca - 2x 1/4" TS cables from most music stores, just leave the other rca unconnected from both ends