tjbassoon Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 If I wanted to plug in a source to the Helix that had XLR outputs only, what would the best kind of cable to use for the Return jacks on the Helix? I may want to run some of the TC Helicon Voicelive series stuff into the Helix. I could go into the Mic input, but that would be MONO only, and I actually want to run it in stereo into the Helix using the Left and Right XLR outputs. I suspect this would also be useful for some stereo looping equipment. TRS 1/4" cable or just regular XLR > TS 1/4" to work best? And in my instance do you suppose I'd use them as Line level (my assumption)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 There's no really great way to do this. I think some XLR to 1/4" mono cables should work. GC or your local MI store should have 'em in stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joepeggio Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 ART DTi. Or similar.... It converts, isolates, but doesn't change the signal level. But it does cost and adds more stuff. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DTI?product_id=DTI&campaigntype=shopping&campaign=aaShopping%2520-%2520Core&adgroup=Accessories%2520-%2520Audio%2520Tools&placement=google&adpos=1o1&creative=54989263441&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjwub7NBRDJARIsAP7wlT8PdEPfEjEn60msFYonbsRI7PsJTDB9huOH0SngwFgt5fZibDnNNNgaAn-HEALw_wcB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joepeggio Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 If the xlr to mono works without noise, then that's the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingsCool Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Helix returns are TS. So I don't believe TRS or TS ends will make a difference from XLR mono. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonelForbin Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 https://www.sweetwater.com/c833--Unbalanced_Cables_TS_to_XLR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjbassoon Posted September 6, 2017 Author Share Posted September 6, 2017 Helix returns are TS. So I don't believe TRS or TS ends will make a difference from XLR mono. OK, good to know. I like to roll my own cables, so I'll make a pair of XLR>TRS balanced cables, so they'll be more flexible for other uses down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joepeggio Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Helix returns are TS. So I don't believe TRS or TS ends will make a difference from XLR mono. One difference it may make is if the Helix jack only touches the tip and ring, that would leave the sheild ungrounded unless the source is grounded. But it will leave a twisted pair, so that should also be noise canceling. Make those cables, and if no noise your set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjbassoon Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share Posted September 11, 2017 Got my XLR-TRS cables soldered up (tip to hot, ring to cold, ground to ground, no bridging) and they are working great. No additional noise at all, just had to make sure my output source was set to Line and the Send/Return was also set to line. New question but it deserves its own thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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