• Registered: 2011-04-09
  • Posts: 6

Topic: FireFace 400 Problem please help

I am having a problem with my FF400 and was wondering if you could give me some help please.


The problem is:

When I connect a balance Jack to the 400 I get a strange sound the only way to describe it as is
a phasing kinda sound. I have took a video of the issue and uploaded it to my youtube account
I will take it down its just to show you the issue I'm having.

In this video below I have a 3.5 jack going from my ipod into a balanced jack into balanced input 7
on the back of the fireface400. I get the same problem if I connect it to any of the other inputs on
the fireface.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL4Q4BMmYvE

I've tried it in all the other inserts on the 400 and each with the same problem, i've tried countless
balanced leads to see if it's the problem and have the problem.

The odd thing is when I try an unbalanced lead it works ok but I want the signal as stereo not mono.

I really hope you understand my issue and can help me with it as i'm tearing my hair out her

  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 182

Re: FireFace 400 Problem please help

I think you need a Y-cable: stereo > 2x mono

The inputs on the FF are mono.

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Various ADK computers :-)

3 Reply by fl

  • fl
  • S/Mux specialist
  • Offline
  • From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2007-11-12
  • Posts: 266

Re: FireFace 400 Problem please help

The output of your iPod is unbalanced, and stereo.

Your video didn't show the connection very clearly, but from what I can understand from your post, you are running a single wire from the headphone output of the iPod into a single input of your Fireface. Doing this will indeed give you the weird phasing you've noted due to the interference between the L and R output of the iPod being run through the (un-)balancing circuitry in the Fireface, essentially yielding an S signal - not what you're after.

You need to split the output of the iPod's headphone jack to two unbalanced signals, and then connect them to two inputs on your Fireface. Then, in TotalMix, or in the DAW you're using, pan the signals hard left and right. Your local music shop should have the "Y" cable you need to convert the single stereo plug for the iPod, to two lines with 1/4" plugs to plug into the rear inputs on your Fireface.

Frank Lockwood
https://LockwoodARS.com
Fireface 800, Firmware 2.77
Drivers: Win10, 3.125; Mac, 3.36

fl's Website

4 Reply by hifreak1c (edited by hifreak1c 2011-06-03 21:54:17)

  • Registered: 2011-04-09
  • Posts: 6

Re: FireFace 400 Problem please help

Ah ok guys, but I thought fireface could take balanced leads aswell ahh gutted, my mistake. Thanks so much for the helpful advice guys means a lot. True stars Thankyou.:-)

  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 182

Re: FireFace 400 Problem please help

You can use balanced cables with the FF400, it's just that balanced is not the same as stereo.

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Various ADK computers :-)