Roland Forums

Hi,

I have a guitar amp with a balanced xlr output. Can I connect it to the xlr input on the UA-4X? Or is it supposed to be for mics only?

An interesting question..

Depends;

DI outs with XLR outs - great for live work...
Sometimes can be at line level, sometimes at mic level.
You may need to check what the amp is using.

They should happily work if phantom power is used.. but I've seen mixers LED meters light up like a Christmas tree if plugged into the XLR of another mixer.

There isn't any harm in trying a XLR to XLR lead if you have one lying around.

If it was me...
I would get a balanced lead with XLR to TRS 1/4" jack connections - that way you get the advantages of having the balanced connection, but are working at line level, and there shouldn't be any phantom power issues either.
Try the XLR - XLR lead first, if it works, good news, you don't need to worry.

S-E-A - 07 July 2010 06:20 AM

Sometimes can be at line level, sometimes at mic level.
You may need to check what the amp is using.

I guess the amp outputs at line level (-10 dBu). It has a control to set its level and a ground lift switch. I've read that the XLR input on the UA-4FX is made for -40 something to -12 dBu

S-E-A - 07 July 2010 06:20 AM

They should happily work if phantom power is used.. but I've seen mixers LED meters light up like a Christmas tree if plugged into the XLR of another mixer.

Why would I need phantom power? Isn't that to power a mic? Why would I want to 'power the amp'?

S-E-A - 07 July 2010 06:20 AM

I would get a balanced lead with XLR to TRS 1/4" jack connections - that way you get the advantages of having the balanced connection, but are working at line level, and there shouldn't be any phantom power issues either.

Where would I connect the 1/4" jack on the UA-4FX? You certainly don't want me to connect it to the guitar/mic input when it's at line level?

If there is a level control on the back, it might just allow you to go XLR-to-XLR..


You don't need phantom power.. never said you did need it. As you correctly pointed out, only microphones (normally condensers) that require phantom power need it.
I answered the question without looking at the interface involved, now realise it's not the one I thought it was..
So scratch the balanced XLR-to-jack idea. Sorry.

I got the XLR-XLR cable today. It works well on low volume settings of the amp. But it starts to clip when I go up in amp volume. The line level of the XLR output is on its lowest setting and the mic preamp of the UA-4FX as well (so it's basically off).

So it kinda works, but is easy to clip.

Question is, does it give you any benefits using the balanced out?
Before clipping, does it give the sound you where after, and where expecting?

If it does you could consider dropping an in line attenuator on the XLR.
Something like this:
http://www.studiospares.com/mic-accessories/pro-30db-inline-attenuator/invt/568590/
They come in various amounts of attenuation too.



post # 750 : the S-750 - darn fine sampler

try the switch on the front of the Ua-4fx try switching it over too Guitar this helped for me when connecting the amp via XLR...