best way to convert ts to trs?

[chdrummer]

I need to convert 1/4" ts to 1/4" trs or xlr.

Whats the best box or device to do this? I've looked and cant seem to find much.

 

[Fandus]

make a lead yourself, ts one end and xlr the other, shield to pin 1 always.

but this cable will only ever carry a mono signal.

 

[egan.]

I think the greater question is what you are trying to do. Convert instrument to line level? Convert -10dBV to +4dBu? You can use ts in place of trs in most applications (obviously not headphones) and it isn't a huge deal even though it's technically incorrect. You lose 6dB and have a greater chance of noise but in practice you can get away with it. The ring just goes to ground.

 

[B36arin]

You can solder your own cable, but the signal will remain unbalanced. If you want to make the signal balanced and get all the benefits from a balanced signal, a DI box is your answer.

 

[chdrummer]

i want to hook these 2 dbx 163x's to my trs patchbay. I've tried normal ts cables but its very noisy. Cables are only 1-2 feet long. They dont make that noise if im hook up straight to my interface

 

[sprack]

Is the patchbay TS only? Most likely no, then just use TRS cables into the patch and out. The 163 is balanced in/out.

 

[chdrummer]

the patchbay is trs. and theyre not balanced ins and outs. my buddy took it apart and found out its only ts. if it was trs this would be simple!

 

[fade_2_black]

Sorry, not sure what you mean here - you have TRS connectors on your patchbay but you don't think its actually a balanced connection?

If that's the case, only pins 1 and 2 should be connected on the TRS connector of the patchbay. Alternatively, and less commonly, pin 3 could be running to earth also. Either way, it shouldn't matter if you use either a TRS/balanced or TS/unbalanced connector.