Connecting an amp with XLR outputs to GB

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Level 1

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Connecting an amp with XLR outputs to GB

Hi,
I'm new to the forum, to Mac world and to recording as well, so please be patient... I'm trying to find out what would be the best way to record an amp guitar into GB. Right now I'm using the amp XLR right and left outputs directly into the Mac’s input (with the use of an adapter) and for the most it works ok... except for a horrible humming noise that I can only get rid by cranking the noise gate really high, which cuts off some of the notes on the guitar. Based what I have read so far on the forum looks like my immediate problem is my set up (directly into the Mac). The amp is a Fender Cyber Twin. I also own a drum machine (which when I connect directly into the Mac produce no noise or hum) and I'm also planning on buying a keyboard on the not so distant future. Will an USB or Fire Wire mixer solve this problem? Or a USB/Fire Wire interface is better suited in this situation? Any help will be much appreciated.
-thanks
R

iMac 20" Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Dec 11, 2006 3:03 PM

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Answer 1

isteveus

Level 5

4,340 points

Dec 11, 2006 8:52 PM in response to El Mag

There are a few ways to use your Cyber Twin to record. Cheap way would to get small mixer connect your XLR and got out to line in on mac (this will do the stereo).

You could also get a interface with at least 2 channels and 2 XLR inputs.

A firewire mixer would do pretty much the same thing as a firewire interface.

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Answer 2

Dec 12, 2006 2:37 AM in response to El Mag

The problem arises because the XLRs are balanced and you are feeding them into (I assume) unbalanced phono sockets. This note I found may help:

"If it's a floating (passive) balanced output you can connect pin 2 of the XLR to the phono pin and pin 3 to the ring. If it's an active balanced output then you may be able to XLR pin 2 to the phono pin and pin 1 to the phono ring, leaving pin 3 unconnected. If that fails try connecting XLR pin 3 to the phono pin, XLR pin 1 to the ring and leavin pin 2 unconnected. Both of these approaches may well cause distortion or more noise."

However your best bet by far would be to get an interface to connect the Fender's SP/DIF (coaxial) output to the Mac via USB - e.g.
http://www.jdsound.com/Terratec-Phase-26-USB-P6689C0.aspx
(I haven't used this: please research thoroughly if you decide to go ahead.) There don't seem nowadays to be many coax digital to USB interfaces - the Edirol UA-1D would have been the simplest and cheapest bet but is apparently no longer made... try eBay?

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Answer 3

Schneb

Level 5

4,957 points

Dec 12, 2006 10:42 AM in response to El Mag

For dual XLR input, I would recommend the UA-25. They also have a Universal Binary driver available.

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=704

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Answer 4

El Mag Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 15, 2006 12:15 PM in response to El Mag

Thanks a lot for your all your replies, they where very helpful. Looks that the best way to record the guitar (with my current setup) into GB would be to use the S/PDIF out that came with the Cyber Twin. I have done some research and I think the TASCAM US-144 will take care of my current and future needs. Thanks again, Rolando.

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