RCA or 1/4" JACK?
Hi
Can someone tell me which one is best to use during a setup? Why and what are the benefits?
I never considered looking into this since I’m no audio-geek yet.
Should I use an RCA or a 1/4 Jack?
I’ve always been using the 1/4" connecting it usually to a channel on a Pioneer 800 mixer.
Thanks.
1/4 Jack
In general you’re supposed to use RCA for unbalanced main outputs like a mixer. And 1/4" Jack for balanced main outputs like an amplifier or active speaker.
However, I really don’t think it makes much of a difference
No, I didn’t think it would matter either. Cuz either way sounds the same I guess. what do you mean by balanced and unbalanced?
I’m probably just throwing words at you but…
An unbalanced line uses one wire for the signal and another for the ground. Unlike balanced lines, unbalanced lines use the ground for signal return. In typical unbalanced cables, the ground is the cable shield.
Digital DJ Tips did a great article this month that goes over balanced vs unbalanced and all of the common cable types
really good article!
Why thank you 
one thing id suggest and it should go without saying really, is to have both and have more types of connections and a good selection of connection adapters, 1/4 jack - 3 pin XLR/5 pin XLR, RCA extensions, RCA - to 1/4 jack - 1/8 jack and male and female variations etc etc… you really do sometimes never know when you will need them
That’s all the lovin’ there is for my article for now? Ah well, it was fun while it lasted 
just clicked the article link.
and yep, its really good, ya deserve a pint for that at very least
thnx man. cool article. =)
Keep both on hand…Most gigs will use RCA to either plug into a house mixer or a house party will accept RCA. I use balanced for my active speakers but thats also travelling around alot of computer wires so just to ensure a ground.