Difference between 1/4 inch output and XLR output (mono)

[scias23]

My patches are set up in only in path A and the other path is just a null amp block. Now, I have been using one 1/4 inch output to a DI box for connecting direct to PA as I want my signal to be mono. I am aware that the XLR does not sum the left and right to mono. But for the sake of removing the DI box from my setup, will I lose the other half of the reverb and delay effect if I use the one XLR output instead?

 

The typical signal chain for my patches are

 

Path A: wah -> dist -> dist -> amp -> eq -> eq -> delay -> delay -> reverb

Path B:                        null amp

 

Panning L: 0%

Panning R: 0%

 

Thanks.

[pugdealer]

if your signal chain is in mono, then it makes no difference going out 1/4" or XLR in terms of sound, the only difference is that the XLR output is balanced, hence, as you said, no need for a DI

[scias23]

if your signal chain is in mono, then it makes no difference going out 1/4" or XLR in terms of sound, the only difference is that the XLR output is balanced, hence, as you said, no need for a DI

 

Technically my signal chain is stereo because of the delay and the reverb effects. So I use one 1/4 inch output because as far as I know, the pod will sum the left and right to mono. I'm concerned that my tone might change because the other side of the stereo effect from the delay and reverb is not summed if one XLR output is used.

[edstar1960]

To be 100% certain - I would suggest you try taking both L + R XLR outs and using 2 channels and then just taking the L or the R XLR and using one channel and see if it makes any noticeable difference to the end result.  If you can hear a difference or prefer one option over another then you will have your answer.

 

Personally, if I was using the XLR outs, then I would take both L and R to ensure I always captured both parts of the output signal - even if they were identical in most cases - because then if I decided to include a stereo effect or if I inadvertently added a stereo effect I would not have to worry about whether I was losing half the output signal in my output routing. 

[pfsmith0]

Scias, I've done that for years (only signal path A and using the L XLR output) and haven't felt like I've been missing anything (although ignorance is bliss). My last post-mixer effects are delay followed by reverb (both stereo). Reverb still sounds full, delays work as expected (but I don't use any Ping-Pong delays).

[pugdealer]

if you're running stereo fx but still want to go out mono on XLR just hard pan to whatever channel you're going out on!

[robertmcollins3]

I agree with the above who suggested just trying which combination works best with the PA.  For what it's worth, I tried just the XLR out, and the signal seemed weak - but that could have also been the sound guy who likes things quiet.

 

After using the 1/4" into the DI for a whole weekend retreat, it worked great, but also had a different and better sound guy.  I have yet to try the dual XLR method but don't use any stereo effects anyway.  I plan to try it all at my next practice though and just go with which one works best. 

[edstar1960]

The other thing to remember is that the XLR outs are at MIC level and the 1/4 inch outs can be switched to LINE level or AMP level using the switch next to the expression pedal on top of the HD unit.  So you have to adjust the desk input trim according to which of these you are using and where you have the 1/4 inch switch set.  Using the 1/4 inch out set to LINE gives you the loudest output signal.  Both XLRs outs will still sound a fair bit lower in volume than just one 1/4 inch out at LINE because they are designed to be mic level and boosted as needed by the input channel pre-amp trim control.

[robertmcollins3]

Thanks edstar - that explains why my signal seems weak when only using one XLR in mono vs. using the 1/4" into DI box method.  I do switch it to LINE when I use the PA and AMP when I use an amp (mainly just at home for practice).

[edstar1960]

Thanks edstar - that explains why my signal seems weak when only using one XLR in mono vs. using the 1/4" into DI box method.  I do switch it to LINE when I use the PA and AMP when I use an amp (mainly just at home for practice).

 

And remember one XLR is only half the total signal (either the L or the R half of the signal depending on which you have used) at MIC level - but just one 1/4 is both L+R signals summed at LINE level if that is where the switch is set - so that makes the output volume difference even greater.

[scias23]

if you still have a free slot you could put a mono FX (like a noise gate) with neutral settings to not affect the sound at the last point in the chain..

it will sum to mono anything coming from before, and you'll not lose any bit of your tone passing through a single XLR mono cable..

 

or alternatively you could also move every block before the mixer block and set the pan controls to center for a mono output signal

 

I've adjusted my patches to have the mixer at the very end of the chain. I panned path A and B to 0% and muted the path B. Tried recording the sound on my DAW, the delay and reverb sound is still stereo.

[scias23]

just to be sure that we use some terms with same meanings,

 

stereo for me means that the Left and Right signals are not identical..

in the case of the POD you could also have/use 2 identical mono signals, one on the Left output and one the Right output..

 

with any DAW if the POD is set as the audio interface, when you select which audio source must recorded, for each track you have basically 3 options: input 1, input 2, input 1+ input 2..

 

if you choose "input 1+ input 2" the track will record both inputs, if they are different you get a real stereo track, if they are identical you get 2 identical mono tracks tied in one track (not a real stereo) and in this case it would be better to choose instead to use only 1 input as the audio source..

 

if in your chain you have all the blocks before the mixer and the pan controls are both centered it's 100% impossible that you get 2 different output signals (ie real stereo), you'll simply get 2 identical mono signals, and you need to use just one of them in your DAW

 

I tried it again just to be sure. Recorded the left and right, and it seems that they aren't identical. I can really hear the stereo effect of the delay and the reverb. If I flip the 'sum to mono' switch on the recorded track in the DAW, I hear a 'mono-ized' tone.

[scias23]

sorry man!! :(

 

I was wrong!!!.. damn.. I should sleep a little more..

 

the "move everything before the mixer and pan centered" method doesn't work, I thought more thoroughly about it a moment ago and I realized that doing so the blocks after the amp would go in path A (and/or B), and centering the pan controls (which in this case behave exactly as stereo balance controls in each path) you would get a stereo signal, so it is the wrong solution ..

 

remains valid, however, the solution of putting a mono effect at the end of the chain ..

Forgive me if I've wasted your time unnecessarily

 

It's OK, no worries.  :)  

 

What mono effect can I use that won't change my tone?

[jandrio]

more dtls here:

 

Stereo/Mono FX List for POD HD

[scias23]

Thanks for all the replies!