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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => SR Forum Archives => LAB Lounge FUD Forum Archive => Topic started by: Ryan Peacher on February 18, 2008, 09:55:30 PM

Title: XLR to TRS converter box project >> ground question...
Post by: Ryan Peacher on February 18, 2008, 09:55:30 PM
Hello all...

Working on a new project, and I have a ground loop question...

I am making a box (metal chassis) that adapts XLR to TRS...

My school has a snake that is TRS returns, and I run my snake from the mix position in the house, up to the booth, into the school snake, which runs up and over to backstage...

So to make mine match up with theirs, I made a XLR to TRS box...

The Question: I have a grounding (buzz) issue... My thinking is that the TRS connectors are grounding to each other, since the sleeve on the TRS is not isolated from the chassis like the XLR's are...

Would putting a ground lift sitch, (like on a DI box) across the wire going from Pin 1 on the XLR to the sleeve on the TRS fix this?

Thanks In Advance! Very Happy
Title: Re: XLR to TRS converter box project >> ground question...
Post by: Ivan Beaver on February 18, 2008, 10:14:08 PM
Why make a box, just use individual cables.

If you really have to use the "box" then get insulating washers for the TRS jacks.
Title: Re: XLR to TRS converter box project >> ground question...
Post by: Jordan Wolf on February 19, 2008, 12:27:44 AM
Yeah, I agree with Ivan...there really isn't any reason to make a box going from one balanced connector type to another in this case - it's just another part of the rig that you'll have to troubleshoot.  Make some TRS-XLR's and patch them in as necessary.    

Come to think of it, I could stand to make some of those myself...
Title: Re: XLR to TRS converter box project >> ground question...
Post by: Ryan Peacher on February 19, 2008, 12:42:35 AM
yea, I see the logic behind just going with inline converters... the only reason i was making a box was because i had all the parts laying around to make it...

guess i'll go to the store and get some inline connectors...

thanks anyways! guess i'll make something else outta the box now...  
Title: Re: XLR to TRS converter box project >> ground question...
Post by: Mike McNany on February 19, 2008, 09:22:05 AM
That's the problem with TRS jack panels, GROUNDING. Why not try a PLASTIC project box to avoid the common grounding problem?

Mike McNany
Title: Re: XLR to TRS converter box project >> ground question...
Post by: Kemper Watson on February 19, 2008, 10:21:39 AM
These are an easier solution..

   http://www.audiopile.net/products/Mic_Instr_Cables/MP_Adapto r_Cbls/MP-106/MP-106_cutsheet.asp

Edit. They also make one with the female end.


http://www.audiopile.net/products/Mic_Instr_Cables/MP_Adapto r_Cbls/MP-105/MP-105_cutsheet.asp