Good morning forum.

After being experimenting with synthesisers and drum machines, I am finally trying to setup my first very humble music corner in my very little apartment.

I am learning some basics of music recording, and despite some researches I did in the internet and in this forum, I still have some doubts about how I should connect my instruments to my audio interface.

I have a RME Fireface UC, and I' like to connect to it a Prophet REV2, a Minitaur and an Analog Rytm.

From the manuals:
– Prophet REV2 has 2 unbalanced 1/4 inch audio outputs
– Minitaur has 1 unbalanced 1/4 inch audio output
– Analog Rytm: for Main Outs L/R they say "use either 1/4” mono phone plug (unbalanced connection) or 1/4” (Tip/Ring/Sleeve) phone plug (balanced connection)" and for individual drum voices "use 1/4” insert/Y cable to access both voices of each output"

I was thinking about connecting:
– the rev2 outputs to the "INST/LINE" inputs (channels 3/4) of the Fireface
– the Minitaur output to a "MIC/LINE" input (channel 1 or 2)
– The main outs + two individual drum voices to the four REAR LINE INPUTS

From the Fireface manual:
– INST/LINE: "Inputs 3/4, INST/LINE, accept both a balanced line signal as well as an unbalanced instrument signal via 1/4" TRS plug.", and "The electronic input stage is built in a servo balanced design which handles unbalanced (mono jacks) and balanced (stereo jacks) correctly, automatically adjusting the level reference. When using unbalanced cables with TRS jacks: be sure to connect the 'ring' contact of the TRS jack to ground. Otherwise noise may occur, caused by the unconnected negative input of the balanced input."
– MIC/LINE: "The Neutrik combo jacks of the Mic/Line inputs can be used via XLR and 1/4" TRS plugs." and "The two combo jacks also allow for the usage of mono and stereo TRS jacks."
– LINE INPUTS: "The analog line inputs of the Fireface UC can be used with +4 dBu and -10 dBV signals. The electronic input stage can handle balanced (XLR, TRS jacks) and unbalanced (TS jacks) input signals correctly."

and in the "quick start" guide: "After the driver installation connect the TRS jacks or the XLR jacks with the analog signal source."

This is pretty confusing to me.

My questions are:

1. Assuming I want to connect everything directly to the Fireface without any DI-box, is it Ok to go simply with (< 6ft) TS cables for everything?

2. Can I connect the Minitaur output to the MIC/LINE input of the Fireface with a TS cable? I can't understand if the audio interface is Ok with this.. It talks just about "TRS mono and stereo" cables. Or should I use a TRS cable even if the synth provides unbalanced signal? Or a TS > XLR cable? (but it's not clear to me how this last could work...)

3. Does the INST/LINE accepts TS jacks as well? And also, is it the same thing if I connect the rev2 to the INST/LINES channels or in the REAR LINE channels? Or does it changes the sound?

4. I can't find anywhere if the Rytm individual outputs are balanced or unbalanced. After reading the elektronauts forum, I assume those are unbalanced.
So I have balanced main outputs and unbalanced individual outputs. Should I use two TRS cables and one Y cable (TRS > x2 TS?)? Will the sound be different (louder for the TRS and -6dB for the TS?), so should I use instead TS cables for the main outs?

Thank you very much for your help..!