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Using a Y Cord to record mono L/R outputs as a single input?
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 4:45 am
by zaynatsa
Hiya,
This may be a silly question, sorry in advance.
Let's say I have a synth with two outputs, left and right. I could plug each output into my Scarlet 2i4 in channel one and two. My question is, would I lose any quality if I were to use a Y 1/4" TRS cable coming from the synth to a channel on my interface? Or would it just record as mono and not have the stereo effect (and just be better to record both channels and route ableton to record as stereo)?
I ask because I would rather have the other channel free for a mic.
Thank you in advance
Re: Using a Y Cord to record mono L/R outputs as a single input?
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 5:02 am
by Winterpark
A 1/4" TRS - 2x TS Y-cable configured the way you suggest is only going to record the left output of your synth. You may as well just use a normal TS - TS. 1"4 (guitar cable)
Re: Using a Y Cord to record mono L/R outputs as a single input?
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 5:19 am
by zaynatsa
Even if it is a 1/4" TS from left and right inputs to 1/4" TRS like this?
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/STP202
If that is the case, then thank you for the reply
Re: Using a Y Cord to record mono L/R outputs as a single input?
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 5:34 am
by Winterpark
that's the one I was talking about. yes.
Re: Using a Y Cord to record mono L/R outputs as a single input?
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 5:41 am
by Winterpark
in fact, your sound may actually be worse when you use a cable like that, because it is expecting a balanced TRS input, but you're effectively giving it a stereo signal from 2xunbalanced cables.
Re: Using a Y Cord to record mono L/R outputs as a single input?
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 5:56 am
by chrk
Winterpark wrote:in fact, your sound may actually be worse when you use a cable like that, because it is expecting a balanced TRS input, but you're effectively giving it a stereo signal from 2xunbalanced cables.
No, not may, but WILL...
... and here's
Why Not Wye?
You're looking at something like this:
Whirlwind PodDI | Sweetwater.com
Re: Using a Y Cord to record mono L/R outputs as a single input?
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 12:04 pm
by slatepipe
chrk wrote:Winterpark wrote:in fact, your sound may actually be worse when you use a cable like that, because it is expecting a balanced TRS input, but you're effectively giving it a stereo signal from 2xunbalanced cables.
No, not may, but WILL...
... and here's
Why Not Wye?
You're looking at something like this:
Whirlwind PodDI | Sweetwater.com
i should know this, but i didn't. though now i do. THANKS
Re: Using a Y Cord to record mono L/R outputs as a single input?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 3:18 pm
by savyurrecords
It is perfectly acceptable to record you synth in mono. Most of the stereoness of the synth can be replicated and improved during mixing.
Re: Using a Y Cord to record mono L/R outputs as a single input?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:07 pm
by zaynatsa
chrk wrote:Winterpark wrote:in fact, your sound may actually be worse when you use a cable like that, because it is expecting a balanced TRS input, but you're effectively giving it a stereo signal from 2xunbalanced cables.
No, not may, but WILL...
... and here's
Why Not Wye?
You're looking at something like this:
Whirlwind PodDI | Sweetwater.com
Thank you very much for that informative answer, helps a lot