My TRS cable to FRFR sounds brighter? But getting noise from an XLR

bgrizzmayne

Inspired
I posted a thread a few days ago about having a hard time with thin, shrill tone from the Axe. I may have discovered a contributing problem; when I plug in a TRS cable vs. an XLR cable, my tone is significantly brighter/more brittle. I much prefer the tone that I get from an Axe hooked up via XLR.

The problem is that I get a small hum/noise interference whenever I hook up XLR. Also, I was planning on going to FOH via output 1 with XLR, and then going to my monitor on output 2 with a quarter inch.

Are TRS cables supposed to be brighter? It really doesn't make sense to me, but I know what I'm hearing. AB-ing between them on the same output, and XLR sounds way better, it's just noisy. I tried a different XLR cable as well, so the XLR isn't causing the noise. but right when I unplug the XLR, the noise goes away from my FRFR.

The FRFR is a matrix q12a btw. I bought it used from the emporium on TGP, but it's in good shape.

Upon further inspection, it seems it's a problem with the Matrix Q12a I'm guessing.
 
I posted a thread a few days ago about having a hard time with thin, shrill tone from the Axe. I may have discovered a contributing problem; when I plug in a TRS cable vs. an XLR cable, my tone is significantly brighter/more brittle. I much prefer the tone that I get from an Axe hooked up via XLR.

...

Are TRS cables supposed to be brighter? It really doesn't make sense to me, but I know what I'm hearing. AB-ing between them on the same output, and XLR sounds way better, it's just noisy. I tried a different XLR cable as well, so the XLR isn't causing the noise. but right when I unplug the XLR, the noise goes away from my FRFR.
.


Hi Ben,

Electrically, the TRS connection and the XLR connection are identical. They connect to exactly the same electronics, pin for pin. If you are getting a difference when using an XLR and a TRS cable, then there must be some difference between the cables. There should be no difference in "brightness" using a TRS instead of an XLR if the cables are correctly wired.

I would guess that the XLR cables have had their "grounds lifted". Check you have continuity on Pin 1 of the XLR and on the screen/body of the TRS ...
 
The 1/4 outputs on output 1 are unbalanced (a TRS will not do you any good here), that will give you a weaker signal. The XLRs probably sound better to you because they are louder. Generally we perceive louder as better. You can use the ground lift switch on the Axe-fx XLRs for removing hum.
 
The TRS is actually louder, but thanks guys! Ground lift did the trick! had no idea that the Axe's XLR had a ground lift. Maybe my ears are playing tricks on me regarding the TRS being brighter. Maybe picking up a Humbuster cable would help?
 
The TRS is actually louder, but thanks guys! Ground lift did the trick! had no idea that the Axe's XLR had a ground lift. Maybe my ears are playing tricks on me regarding the TRS being brighter. Maybe picking up a Humbuster cable would help?


Unbalanced should 6bd below a balanced. You should just use the XLR.
 
Back
Top Bottom