RME Newbie - Question about the output modes!

[ssbMOD]

Hi @all!

I'm a RME newbie. I would like to use my RME with the Motu Ultralite. I have read the manual but i don't really understand the difference between the balanced and unbalanced output by using a audio interface. Can anybody give me a little advice for that?

Thanks a lot
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Cheers

[c7sus]

Using an instrument amp, like a guitar or bass amp, you would probably have better results in UNBALANCED mode.

But for recording to a line-level input on a soundcard, using the BALANCED mode should match impedence between the RME and the Motu and provide the most robust signal possible.

If you want to use the instrument amps on the Motu, I would start in UNBALANCED mode and see how it tracks.

[ssbMOD]

!!! Thank you for the answer. Nice, this is 100% what i want to know...

[Klopfgeist]

Balanced cables do not match impeadance. Balance cables eliminate noise by phase cancelling noise picked up by the cable.

[c7sus]

I wasn't trying to imply the use of a balanced cable to match impedence.

600ohms nominal is pretty standard for a line-level input on many types of gear, not just soundcards.

That nominal impedence should remain relatively stable regardless of use of a TS or TRS plug.