Denon MC3000 / Soundcraft EFX8 Desk

[sgldisco]

Hi guys, I have recently purchased a Soundcraft EFX8 desk which I propose to use with my Denon MC3000 which only has 1/4" Jack Balanced Outputs. I am a complete newbie to a desk and have a few questions.

How do I connect the Denon to the EFX8 ? Do I use Balanced Stereo or Unbalanced Mono cables ?

Also, Do I use the line inputs 1 and 2 channels or do I use the Stereo 1 Input ?

I am completely bamboozled ;-(

Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance ;-)

17060

[Nakatomi]

The MC3000 has unbalanced outputs, I thought.. as well as balanced on 1/4" jack sockets.

Just use dual RCA to 1/4" jack plug cable to take audio from the MC3000 to the stereo input on the Soundcraft desk, e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Phono-inch-Jack-Leads-1-5m/dp/B00555JSNK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1425251907&sr=8-6&keywords=rca+to+1%2F4%22+plug

[sgldisco]

I was looking to go balanced if I could ?

I have went from the 1/4" jack on the Denon to the Stereo input with 2 x mono cables to try it & seems to be ok.

I want to go for a balanced connection, So am I right it thinking I need 2 x balanced stereo cables with 1/4" jacks on both ends to achieve this ?

Or do I just require 2 x balanced mono cables ?

Thanks, Steve.

[Nakatomi]

For short lengths, unbalanced will be just fine. Heck, in more than one place I've worked a feed piped to another part of the venue was unbalanced. Unscreened in one case, even.. Without any issues, surprisingly.

The balanced inputs on your mixer are for microphones anyway, so to use them you'd have to 'pad' the line level signals from you're controller down, not to mention having to use two channels for one stereo pair.

Unbalanced interconnects are fine for lengths of up to 3 metres or so, if you use good quality cable & connectors.

[Andy P]

What he says - you dont need balanced feed with two devices sitting next to each other - just use the RCA connections

PS that is a monster desk for just DJing - does it fit on the stand ok

[sgldisco]

Thanks for your input guys ! Desk fits without issue. I needed something that would suit other work including my acoustic guitar & a minimum of 5 mic channels with fx. Does the job brilliantly, Had a play this morning & I'm blown away by the difference in sound. Happy chappy ;-)

[sgldisco]

If I buy two of these Balanced Stereo leads, Can I run from the L & R Balanced jack on the MC3000 to the L & R Stereo input on the desk ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Livewire-1M-Stereo-TRS-Jack-To-Jack-Lead-Balanced-Cable-/330764654536?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d031c17c8

[Nakatomi]

Assuming the Denon doesn't mind you shorting one side of its balanced out to ground, no problem.

That might be okay... You can usually get away with it on pro audio gear but....

[sgldisco]

I'm not very keen to try that if it's not correct. Seems I can't use the balanced output & will need to use RCA to Jack.

Thanks for your help ;-)

[Nakatomi]

Update: I RTFM for the efx8 & guess what? The stereo inputs on the quarter inch jacks ARE balanced, so go right ahead & use balanced quarter inch leads for left & right from the MC3000 :-)

[Excalibur]

Just to muddy the waters, if that mixer is anything like my Behringer, there's no need to feed the output of the Denon into a line input, as it's already had all the tone control applied from the Denon. Thus you can use the input marked 2 track in, and press the button 2 track to mix. I believe this will then mean the main faders will control the volume of that. You can hopefully balance the other channels to this by using the trim ( gain ) controls on each channel.
This will leave your two channels free for anything else eg a pair of CD decks. Worth a try.

[sgldisco]

Thanks Juski, I couldn't get my head around wether I needed to use a balanced stereo cable to link them or a mono.

I'd like to say I have an understanding about cables now but nope lol.

I will be ok to plug Stereo jacks into L & R on the EFX8 Stereo Line Input channel and Stereo Jacks into the L & R on the Denon ( Balanced cables ) ?

Excellent, Thanks for all the help guys ;-)