Mackie HMX-56, Owner'S Manual

12

HMX-56

HMX

-56

Appendix B: Connections

Unbalancing a Line

In most studio, stage, and sound reinforcement situations, 
there is a combination of balanced and unbalanced inputs 
and outputs on the various pieces of equipment. This 
usually will not be a problem in making connections.

•  When connecting a balanced output to an 

unbalanced input, use a 1/4" TRS plug on the 
balanced end and a 1/4" TS plug on the unbalanced 
end. Be sure the signal high (hot) connections 
are wired to each other (tip to tip), and that the 
balanced signal low (cold, ring) goes to the ground 
(earth, shield) connection at the unbalanced 
input. In most cases, the balanced ground (earth) 
will also be connected to the ground (earth) at 
the unbalanced input. If there are ground-loop 
problems, this connection may be left disconnected 
at the balanced end.

•  When connecting an unbalanced output to 

a balanced input, use a 1/4" TS plug on the 
unbalanced end and a 1/4" TRS plug on the 
balanced end. Be sure that the signal high (hot) 
connections are wired to each other (tip to tip). 
The unbalanced ground (earth) connection should 
be wired to the low (cold, ring) and the ground 
(earth, shield) connections of the balanced 
input. If there are ground-loop problems, try 
disconnecting the unbalanced ground (earth) 
connection from the balanced input ground 
(earth) connection, leaving the unbalanced 
ground connected to the balanced input low (cold) 
connection only.

In some cases, you may have to make up special 

adapters to interconnect your equipment. For example, 
you may need a balanced XLR female connected to an 
unbalanced 1/4" TS phone plug. Many common adapters 
can be found at your local electronics supply store.

Mults and “Y”s

A mult or “Y” connector allows you to route one output 

to two or more inputs by simply providing parallel 
wiring connections. You can make “Y”s and mults for the 
outputs of both unbalanced and balanced circuits.

1/4" TRS Phone Plugs and Jacks

“TRS” stands for Tip-Ring-Sleeve, the three connection 
points available on a stereo 1/4" or balanced phone 
jack or plug. TRS jacks and plugs are used for balanced 
signals and stereo headphones.

Balanced Mono

SLEEVE

TIP

SLEEVE

TIP

RING

RING

TIP

SLEEVE

RING

1/4" TRS Balanced Mono Wiring:
Sleeve = Shield 
Tip = Hot (+) 
Ring = Cold (–)

Stereo Headphones

SLEEVE

TIP

SLEEVE

TIP

RING

RING

TIP

SLEEVE

RING

1/4" TRS Stereo Unbalanced Wiring:
Sleeve = Shield 
Tip = Left 
Ring = Right

1/4" TS Phone Plugs and Jacks

“TS” stands for Tip-Sleeve, the two connection points 
available on a mono 1/4" phone jack or plug. They are 
used for unbalanced signals like the high-impedance 
instrument inputs on the Onyx 400F.

SLEEVE

TIP

TIP

SLEEVE

TIP

SLEEVE

1/4" TS Unbalanced Wiring:
Sleeve = Shield 
Tip = Hot (+)

Y-Cord Splitter