XLR cable for line level?

[CJ]

Some projects like DI boxes have an XLR output jack for line level outputs.

My question is how many mixer boards have dedicated XLR inputs for line level?

Thanks for any help!

 

[craig]

Most DI box XLR output are at MIC level so your going to a MIC XLR input on your Mixer. I would guess only high end recording consoles would have XLR on Line ins or even then may just wire direct to patchbays.

 

[Ike Zimbel]

Some projects like DI boxes have an XLR output jack for line level outputs.

My question is how many mixer boards have dedicated XLR inputs for line level?

Thanks for any help!

It's pretty rare to see a mixing desk with two input XLR's per channel, and even in those cases, that's usually because they have an A/B input select switch.

 

[ruffrecords]

Most semi-pro/project studio mixers use combi-jacks with the TRS for line level and the mic on the XLR. Saves money and space. Most pro level mixers intended for more or less permanent setups will either have separate line inputs on XLR or alternatively on Christmas trees.

All my mixers have separate line ins on XLR. The Mark 3 has separate XLRs for mic, line and tape return.

Cheers

Ian

 

[CJ]

Thanks!

One last question, are most line in jacks pre or post fader?

Thanks!

 

[ruffrecords]

Thanks!

One last question, are most line in jacks pre or post fader?

Thanks!

Pre unless they are TRS used as an insert/line in, in which case they could be either but still more likely to be pre than post.

Cheers

ian

 

[pinebox]

Most newer consoles adapt DB25s for line level inputs. On most older consoles they would come in on a multipin (DL/ELCO/Tuchel/Pleasy, ect)

I cant think of any quality consoles that do not have both a mic and line option at the same point at the top of the channel signal path. This would allow you the full channel facilities for both the recording to tape and the mixing back from tape. If it is a split console with monitor return facilities, these would correspond to the same line input.

 

[CJ]

Mackie 16v has fader control on CH 1 and CH 2
(Hybrid line/mic input jacks)

But no fader control on the dedicated 1/4" line input jacks for the rest of the channels how messed up is that?

 

[Roboburger]

It is not messed up- Those are stereo channels, which take up more real estate on the Circuit board. It also changes how you design an EQ and it's potentiometers when there are two audio paths that must remain apart. Notice that you lose the sweepable mid on those channels! They are assuming that your source will be Line Level and won't need gain. In my day of touring and often encountering Mackie Boards, I kept a handful of short XLRF-TRS cables- if the signal was too hot for the Mic Preamp via the XLR, I could pop one in and use the 1/4" balanced Line input at a 20(?)dB reduction.

 

[CJ]

So the hybrid jacks have no pad for the 1/4" section, the XLR and the 1/4" have the same gain?

 

[Roboburger]

No. Look closely at the labeling of the Gain knobs!- you'll see two concentric scales. One lists the Gain for the XLR jack, and the other is for the 1/4" Jack. There's a 20dB or so difference.

 

[CJ]

Nice, thanks!

That board is hard to read in the dark, know of any good battery powered board lights?

 

[radeng]

Some modular consoles such as my Studer 961, have 2 XLR inputs on each stereo channel. The mono channels also have 2 XLR's, one for mic, one for line. Broadcast oriented consoles sometimes have 2 pairs of stereo inputs on XLR's for each stereo input module (A/B source switching). My Studer On-Air 2000 has that feature.

Littlite has always been my go-to for board lighting. I've got some that are 40 years old and still work.

 

[Paul W]

My cheap old small mixers (Behringer and Mackie) have separate XLR mic inputs and TRS line inputs, which IIRC are at least impedance balanced. I've always thought that was common. (But that DI boxes put out mic level XLR, because that's pretty much universal, and doable passively.)

The Mackie (Micro Series 1202) has separate TRS insert jacks as well, which must be unbalanced to handle in and out with 3 conductors.

I think these oldies predate combo jacks being a common thing.