Hi all

Hoping someone will know the quick answer to this - I’ve read lots on the topic of cable types and connections but still can’t work it out…

If I plug a Y-Cable (TRS Stereo Jack to dual TS Mono) from the Main Out (L & R) of my Xenyx Behringer Q1002USB mixer into ONE of the input ports on my Focurite 8i6 audio interface, will it pass Stereo signal to my left and right HS5 speakers or do I have to use two separate cables (out the mixer) into TWO of the 8i6 input ports to get stereo sound?

if the mixer has separate Left & Right, balanced, outputs then yes

even if a source has an, unbalanced, stereo output on TRS I have never seen an interface that had unbalanced, TRS, stereo inputs (not saying such a thing doesn't exist, just I've never seen it) so in that case you'd need a TRS -> Dual TS "Y" cable

Wow DGTom thanks for such a quick reply - the mixer does have separate L&R out, however this is unbalanced. The interface port can accept either unbalanced or balanced.

If I’ve understood correctly then, it sounds like the Y Cable I have in mind (link below) should do the job and I don’t need two separate cables into 2 ports on the 8i6?

MIXER:
https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=P0ALN

PROPOSED CABLE:
https://www.gear4music.com/G4M/Custo...-10-Metre/3J4V

AUDIO INTERFACE:
https://focusrite.com/en/audio-inter...t/scarlett-8i6

as I said, you absolutely need 2 cables, 2 input ports & 2 "tracks" to record a stereo signal

I think some of your confusion is based in balanced cables sometimes being called "stereo" but a balanced line only carries one signal, even if it does, in fact do this over three "wires" the other contributing factor is modern DAWs "hide" the fact that stereo is actually taking up 2 tracks / voices so it seems like shortcuts like this could work

a Y-Cable can be stereo (in the left + right sense) but it can also be send & return, depending on the context - notice at the end of the manual for your mixer, they make a distinction between Balanced TRS & Headphones TRS;

https://mediadl.musictribe.com/media...0001395742.pdf

this is what you are grappling with

The Y cable would only do what you want if it was feeding a TRS stereo input -- those are not common and that Focusright doesn't have it.

You also won't be able to plug that TRS from the Y into either of the channels -- you're best off using two TS cables.

You need two separate cables. L output from the mixer to one input and R output to another input.

Use two adjacent inputs on the interface with L going into an odd number and R into an even number. For example L out -> in 3, R out-> in 4 or L out -> in 5, R out -> in 6. You’ll understand why when you access the inputs from your computer.

On that particular interface I’d leave inputs 1&2 open for more instrument or mic level connections, but any of the inputs should work.

Thanks DGTom, really appreciate you (and others) taking the time to explain where I’m going wrong in the thinking

You’re right I do find it confusing that they call a balanced cable Stereo sometimes, cause (like a headphone Jack) that makes me think that plugging in a just one TRS Jack eg the end of a Y Cable should send the left tip to left speaker and right ring to right speaker (further comments from me on this below having read other replies).

Separately - great spot in the manual about balanced/unbalanced Phones vs Main Out - I just upgraded from a Q802USB mixer where the main out was Unbalanced and thought it was the same for the Q1002USB model, but can see where you referred to..that the spec says it’s balanced. However on a diagram earlier in the manual is says contradictory to this that the main out is unbalanced so that’s confusing and maybe something I need to clarify with Behringer unless someone else knows.

Thank you SO much acanuck and all for your feedback and helping me learn about input jack ports also needing to be stereo for use of one cable…

I understand even better now why I need 2 cables to go into 2 inputs e.g. numbers 3+4.

I have two follow-up questions please…

1- why use two TS cables (as recommended above) when both the mixer and interface support balanced connections, would it not be better to use two TRS (balanced mono) cables instead of TS?

2. The distance between the mixer and interface is about 7 metres away, should I try and find two super-long TRS cables (or TS given your answer to first question), or should I consider something else eg a DI box to extend from mixer to interface? From what I’ve researched I can’t seem to find a simple DI box that has 2 TS in to 2 TRS out jacks (most seem to be just one XLR out which is not what I need, I think lol) - any advice on this too would be much appreciated

Thanks in advance

I didn’t realize the mixer had balanced outs — in that case sure use TRS cables. You don’t need a DI.

I actually cant work out whether the Main Out on the Q1002USB mixer is balanced or unbalanced, because within the same manual; the attached two screenshots contradict eachother - am I'm missing something?

And if it does in fact turn out to be Unbalanced, then would a TS (not TRS) cable length of 7m still be ok or would we then need to review the DI box option?

Please advise

Even if it's unbalanced going DI will probably be overkill. I would try it without before investing in DI equipment.

the manual might be a typo or it might be that the main output is 'impedance balanced' but not being driven by a balanced driver, get in contact with them to try & confirm what is going on, but, using a balanced cable would be what I'd do - it won't hurt & in the case where the output isn't balanced (at all) & you get problems you are least future proof on the cable front

for this kind of TS > TRS balancing a DI isn't what you want, you'll find options if you look for 'hum eliminator' or 'line level converter'

I'll always link this useful document that helps explain the how & why;

https://www.ranecommercial.com/legac...connection.pdf

From that link:

Also some balanced inputs will see a TRS cable and treat the tip and ring as carrying phase inverted signals, thus passing no audio from an unbalanced source.

If the mixer output is unbalanced my opinion is TS cables are the way to go.

Thanks all for the replies and super useful reference article - learnt lots from it.

So in summary:

+ DI box not needed

+ I need to check w/ Behringer whether the Q1002USB Main Out is Balanced or Unbalanced (due to contradictions in the manual)

+ If mixer Main Out is Balanced I can just run 2 x TRS cables straight to the 8i6, if Unbalanced then I could do 2 x TS > Hum/Converter > 8i6 to help with noise management when combining balanced / unbalanced devices & cables and also to accomodate a 7m distance (mixer to interface) as the article does not recommend unbalanced for more than 3m.

Thanks DGTom - Hum eliminators are a new discovery for me (literally as of a couple days ago due to a noise issue I was having) but didnt think to use it in this way so thats great...I therefore recently purchased a Behringer HD400 (Hum eliminator) going from the 8i6 audio interface out to my monitors due to some existing Ground Loop issues.
https://mediadl.musictribe.com/media...HD400_M_WW.pdf

Question - all devices plugged into my mixer are Unbalanced except One....for that one, should I get an additional HD400 and connect that between the Balanced device and the mixer (to isolate it from the other unbalanced devices plugged into the mixer), or should I just plug the new HD400 from the Main Out (as mentioned above) to the 8i6?

yeah, I should have been more explicit

IME with behringer mixers, the connections are probably TRS, because economy of scale, but it might not have a balanced line driver built into the output section - which would be coherent with the manual

chances are high the ring is shorted to ground, or connected to ground via a resistor

best practice is to actually find out, but, in a practical sense of buying stuff that will be useful, its easier to unbalance a balanced cable than the other way round, so, an appropriate length balanced cable is going to be a better option in the long run (pun intended)

on the input side, don't buy stuff to fix problems that you don't have

but yeah, I tend to keep unbalanced cables less than 30cm because I'm super paranoid, use loads of janky old gear with sketchy PSUs & it works out better to not run unbalanced cables across the room, so I try to balance a signal as close to source as possible

if you have mono instrument(s) a DI or two can be useful, I really like the Behringer sansamp clone, the BDI something, nice drive & tone controls, but, that is if you want to dirty up the signal a little

but, like I said, if your inputs aren't causing an issue with the length of unbalanced cables you have, don't sweat it

if the balanced output you have is being connected to a balanced input via balanced cables you are all good on that front

Perfect, thanks for all your help and the balanced view point (pun, also intended).

Think I found it!…if you’re referring to the BDI21 bass driver that looks awesome - like the fact it could do both vintage warmth/dirt and clean, plus all the DI/ground lift benefits etc. nice one.

I like and will follow the principle that if there’s not an issue don’t buy stuff lol learning about this stuff however I realise there is a “right” way to connect it all up so trying to do that at least.

If I don’t hear from Behringer I think I’ll start with 2 x TRS out the mixer given the distance and go from there.

Thanks again

a guy did a video on the 1002 usb and 300ft of xlr due to this very confusion - there was no noise

sounds like a balanced output to me

just plug in a pair of TRS and crack on - you dont need DI either - TS will also be fine - you are over thinking it

Thanks Jamie Munro, I think I stumbled across the same video lastnight that you’re referring to, this one?….

https://youtu.be/1mNllvxC4_U

I thought it was really interesting and points out the error in the manual, but it’s for the Q1202USB model not my Q1002USB so wasn’t sure if it’d be the same (that Main Out is balanced) given my previous Q802USB was Unbalanced according to that manual .

Thanks for confirming that both TS/TRS should be ok, I’ll just give it a go with TRS and see - A lot of the thinking is in trying to get a better understanding but also to avoid the cost and inconvenience of buying the wrong cables.

Thanks again.