1/4" phone jacks, balanced or unbalanced?

[CharlesFerraro]

I called up Korg product support and they told me the output jacks are balanced. I would like someone to verify this to be sure there wasn't any confusion. For instance the specialist may have thought I was asking if you could set the balance of the timbres, when I'm actually talking about the type of jacks utilized on the Radias-R module.

For anyone who doesn't know, phone jack outputs may be balanced or unbalanced depending. Balanced jacks reduce noise because of the way the output signal is being processed. TRS cables are manufactured to be specially used with balanced or unbalanced jacks, but either cable is compatable with either jack. If you plug an unbalanced cable into a balanced jack you will not obtain the noise cancelling benefits and the same goes for the counter example of using a balanced cable in an unbalanced jack.

This may seem a bit confusing for the layperson. Know that your R3 uses unbalanced jacks and that it doesn't matter what kind of output cables you are using. An Akai Miniak is an example of a synthesizer that has balanced outputs. As for Radias users I'm not sure so I'm asking. So how about it, does anyone know if the Radias utilizes balanced or unbalanced 1/4" phone jack outputs?

[xmlguy]

Balanced signals cancel noise from interference that typically occurs over longer distances with low (mic) levels and high impedance, which are more likely to pick up such interference, by using common-mode rejection using a differential amp on the receiving side to negate such interference that happens equally to both signal paths. Keyboards/synths have strong line level signals, low impedance, and often are used for short runs, and thus are not usually nearly as susceptable to this interference unless you run the cable right over some transformer.

So in the specific case of a long cable run from a synth to a FOH PA mixer over a 100ft snake, yes, using a balanced output will help _keep_ the signal clean, but using a DI box instead of the synth balance output is better to do so because it has other benefits such as protection from phantom power, ground lift isolation, and level padding features. But balanced signals don't "reduce noise" in general, without qualification.

In other words, balanced outputs are not "quieter" than unbalanced, in general and when you find that balanced signaling will be helpful, it's better to use a DI box than a balanced synth output. This becomes painfully apparent when someone plugs your balanced synth output into a balanced mic input with phantom power, blowing your output stage unless it has phantom power protection.

I'll take an R3+DI box over a MiniAK with balanced outs, any day of the week. The MiniAK is just a repackaged Micron. I use a submixer for my keyboards anyways, so plugging unbalanced keys into a mixer with balanced output provides exactly the same benefits.

Regarding your question, I believe the Radias outputs are unbalanced, as the specs never mention balanced outputs.

[CharlesFerraro]

Thank you very much for your reply, xmlguy. I found your comment very helpful and informative. In regards to the Radias manual, I wasn't able to find a section that specifically states if the module uses unbalanced jacks either. Whereas the R3 manual does declare the use of unbalanced jacks. Even so, the truth of the matter on the Radias outputs remains ambiguous, but I suppose the issue doesn't even matter much according to your information.

[axxim]

Hi,

in "professional" music equipment, the balanced I/O's are usually (at least all I had until now) done with XLR plugs. The 6,3mm (1/4'') phone jacks are supposed as unbalanced unless otherwise specified. In the R3 the only balanced input is the gooseneck MIC input which turns to be a very very noisy one but due to another reason: every movement or vibration on the R3 makes the entire MIC tremble and hence the XLR plug squeaks which is conducted to the MIC.
I suppose that the Radias can be categorized as a "professional" equipment and for the MIC they probably would have preferred to use a XLR MIC input but maybe they had a problem with its size.

If no mention of the jacks is printed or adviced, then the jacks of the Radias are most probably (to 99.9%) unbalanced.

[xmlguy]

You're welcome, Charles! I agree with axxim's post. Assume unbalanced unless specifically stated as balanced.