Fender FR-12 preamp mod : The Hissterectomy

stephanfm3 said:
don't know where to put this question but i am sure Liam knows all about it.
using out2 (fm3) to go to my v2-fr-10, would it make sense (does this even exist?)
to have a humbuster<to>xlr cable?
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I have a similar issue running an unbalanced cable from a tonex one. I use a di to convert unbalanced to xlr but there is a little volume drop.
I am going to build some utility boxes like DIs, level shifters, and 1:1 isolation transformers after the 1st of the year. That should help .

Humbuster sums a TRS to a TS at the amp end. It would need another step to make it Balanced XLR.
 
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stephanfm3 said:
would it make sense (does this even exist?) to have a humbuster<to>xlr cable?
Click to expand...

The manual on p. 8 specifically says that for Output 2…
Do NOT connect TRS-to-TRS cables or TRS-to-XLR cables to Output 2.
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Humbuster outputs require either a Humbuster cable, wired according to the diagram on that same page, or a TS -> TS. A TS -> XLR will make the connections but not supply either the Humbuster feature or a balanced signal. Output 1 can run XLR -> XLR which will be balanced.

P. 34 has an example diagram.
 
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hmmm ... i think the trs to xlr possibilty was discussed here as an option for output 2 (?)

however, currently i use a g66 humbuster to connect to the fr-10.
 
stephanfm3 said:
hmmm ... i think the trs to xlr possibilty was discussed here as an option for output 2 (?)
Click to expand...
It might have been discussed, but it was probably in the context of the FM9 or FX3 Outputs 1 or 2 using the XLR out and a XLR->balanced TRS into the 1/4" TRS balanced in on the FR unit. The FM3 doesn't support it using Output 2, instead use TS -> TS for that connection.

This is from the FM9 manual:

Screenshot 2024-11-08 at 10.04.08 AM.png
 
Patzag said:
I would just go XLR into FR10 and then XLR Out on FR10 to FOH. Set the stage volume on the FR10 itself. The FR10 likes an XLR cable MUCH better than a 1/4" cable.
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Exactly!!! This is one more thing I need to test, and one of the biggest reasons why I'm choosing the FR-10 over other great sounding solutions.
 
Patzag said:
I would just go XLR into FR10 and then XLR Out on FR10 to FOH. Set the stage volume on the FR10 itself. The FR10 likes an XLR cable MUCH better than a 1/4" cable.
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This is pretty well what I do but currently use a 1/4" cable from the FM9 to the FR10 and then an XLR from the FR10 to FOH.
@Patzag ,would an XLR from FM9 to the FR10 make a difference even on a short run (say 5ft)? The FM9 output is set to +4dB . What would I gain from swapping the 1/4" cable to an XLR?
 
Beexter said:
This is pretty well what I do but currently use a 1/4" cable from the FM9 to the FR10 and then an XLR from the FR10 to FOH.
@Patzag ,would an XLR from FM9 to the FR10 make a difference even on a short run (say 5ft)? The FM9 output is set to +4dB . What would I gain from swapping the 1/4" cable to an XLR?
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The 1/4 inch input on the FR10 (and 12) sucks. Turn up the volume and behold the hummm, even with V2 installed. It's a design fault at the input stage. The XLR is dead quiet. Distance has no bearing. I ALWAYS use an XLR.
 
What a mess. I wish I would have known all this before diving in. But then I would have missed out on this wild ride through V2 now V3 land.
 
I need to make a few changes, but yes that is a balanced transformer-less line driver.
The black one is the final prototype version of an acoustic preamp with gain for piezo pickups They are also phantom powered. I will need to make it run on pedalboard power instead, and take out the gain trimmer. The coolest part is that they are tiny and use 1"square aluminum tube for the enclosure.

I may build this circuit into a FR input board replacement after the 1st of the year. The stock input board sucks.
 
WKSmith said:
I need to make a few changes, but yes that is a balanced transformer-less line driver.
The black one is the final prototype version of an acoustic preamp with gain for piezo pickups They are also phantom powered. I will need to make it run on pedalboard power instead, and take out the gain trimmer. The coolest part is that they are tiny and use 1"square aluminum tube for the enclosure.

I may build this circuit into a FR input board replacement after the 1st of the year. The stock input board sucks.
Click to expand...
V3 pro max? 🤣

Good lord, the man is unstoppable!
 
WKSmith said:
I need to make a few changes, but yes that is a balanced transformer-less line driver.
The black one is the final prototype version of an acoustic preamp with gain for piezo pickups They are also phantom powered. I will need to make it run on pedalboard power instead, and take out the gain trimmer. The coolest part is that they are tiny and use 1"square aluminum tube for the enclosure.

I may build this circuit into a FR input board replacement after the 1st of the year. The stock input board sucks.
Click to expand...
Will this improve XLR input or just unbalanced inputs?
 
WKSmith said:
Just unbalanced. It will convert unbalanced input to balanced XLR output
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How much does the quality of a short run XLR count?
I initially used a 10 ft Monoprice Stage Right 16AWG cable and the low end felt heavy and thick. Had to reduce bass down to about 3 1/2. The cable was a bit stiff so I replaced it with a 10 ft Mogami 2549 cable and it cleared up the sound and now every dial is at noon except the cut.
I didn’t think at 10 feet, the type of cable would matter as much but in my case it did!
 
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