Mackie HMX-56, Owner'S Manual

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HMX-56
HMX
-56
Appendix B: Connections
Unbalancing a Line
In most studio, stage, and sound reinforcement situations,
there is a combination of balanced and unbalanced inputs
and outputs on the various pieces of equipment. This
usually will not be a problem in making connections.
• When connecting a balanced output to an
unbalanced input, use a 1/4" TRS plug on the
balanced end and a 1/4" TS plug on the unbalanced
end. Be sure the signal high (hot) connections
are wired to each other (tip to tip), and that the
balanced signal low (cold, ring) goes to the ground
(earth, shield) connection at the unbalanced
input. In most cases, the balanced ground (earth)
will also be connected to the ground (earth) at
the unbalanced input. If there are ground-loop
problems, this connection may be left disconnected
at the balanced end.
• When connecting an unbalanced output to
a balanced input, use a 1/4" TS plug on the
unbalanced end and a 1/4" TRS plug on the
balanced end. Be sure that the signal high (hot)
connections are wired to each other (tip to tip).
The unbalanced ground (earth) connection should
be wired to the low (cold, ring) and the ground
(earth, shield) connections of the balanced
input. If there are ground-loop problems, try
disconnecting the unbalanced ground (earth)
connection from the balanced input ground
(earth) connection, leaving the unbalanced
ground connected to the balanced input low (cold)
connection only.
In some cases, you may have to make up special
adapters to interconnect your equipment. For example,
you may need a balanced XLR female connected to an
unbalanced 1/4" TS phone plug. Many common adapters
can be found at your local electronics supply store.
Mults and “Y”s
A mult or “Y” connector allows you to route one output
to two or more inputs by simply providing parallel
wiring connections. You can make “Y”s and mults for the
outputs of both unbalanced and balanced circuits.
1/4" TRS Phone Plugs and Jacks
“TRS” stands for Tip-Ring-Sleeve, the three connection
points available on a stereo 1/4" or balanced phone
jack or plug. TRS jacks and plugs are used for balanced
signals and stereo headphones.
Balanced Mono
SLEEVE
TIP SLEEVE
TIP
RING
RING
TIP
SLEEVE RING
1/4" TRS Balanced Mono Wiring:
Sleeve = Shield
Tip = Hot (+)
Ring = Cold (–)
Stereo Headphones
SLEEVE
TIP SLEEVE
TIP
RING
RING
TIP
SLEEVE RING
1/4" TRS Stereo Unbalanced Wiring:
Sleeve = Shield
Tip = Left
Ring = Right
1/4" TS Phone Plugs and Jacks
“TS” stands for Tip-Sleeve, the two connection points
available on a mono 1/4" phone jack or plug. They are
used for unbalanced signals like the high-impedance
instrument inputs on the Onyx 400F.
SLEEVE
TIP
TIP SLEEVE
TIP
SLEEVE
1/4" TS Unbalanced Wiring:
Sleeve = Shield
Tip = Hot (+)
Y-Cord Splitter