I’m looking for a cheap/reliable 4 channel mixer. And I’m liking on the Vestex VMC 004. I have to 2 channel one already for vinyl, and the shits nice. For the 4 channel version, there’s a new one and an old one. They are identical to each other except the newer one has XLR outputs. Obviously its more expensive. Reviews seem to be fine for adapters/cables that do the conversion, but I want some real answers. If I get the chance to DJ my school dance again, the speakers they own use XLR. Getting the XLR one would be the easiest, but would it hurt to use adapters to get my XLRs? Or would it sound like shit?
xlr outputs carry balanced audio signals, rca’s dont. balanced signals are considered professional and carry over longer distances without being susceptible to interference from power and/or lighting rigs etc…
Another “important” thing to me is that normally Xlr outputs from good equipment carry an output of +4db in comparison to the -10db of the RCA . What does this mean? Way more headroom on the Xlr side and the things and you can move your PA and speakers with a lot less on effort getting the same volumes but with a lot less of distortion, you do not have to crank the mixer volume or gains to the limit with the Xlr and normally with RCA outputs you have to. Better sound quality and less wear on the amps and speakers
RCA to XLR miiiiight work but you’re quite likely to have grounding/noise problems due to plugging an unbalanced output into a balanced input. a DI box would be your best solution, like this: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/DI20.aspx
Thanks FEP. Last one - is the ‘advantage’ then of TRS to XLR (S4 to Wharfedale Titan15A’s) the more ‘secure’ fitting at the speaker? TRS to TRS are so more convenient.
If I get the chance to DJ my school dance again, the speakers they own use XLR. Getting the XLR one would be the easiest, but would it hurt to use adapters to get my XLRs? Or would it sound like shit?