1 Topic by DanRand (edited by DanRand 2012-12-18 14:39:35)

  • Registered: 2011-11-02
  • Posts: 59

Topic: Fireface UFX - Compatibility with Little Bustard Summing Mixer

I am looking to add a Thermionic Culture Little Bustard summing mixer to the outputs/inputs of a Fireface UCX, with the outputs of the Little Bustard coming back into the UCX.

The Little Bustard summing mixer is unbalanced with pins 1 & 3 tied to ground on both the inputs and outputs.

Can anyone tell me if the inputs and outputs on the UCX are compatible with the Little Bustard?  Will tying pins 1 & 3 to ground on both inputs and outputs cause any damage to the UCX?  Am I likely to get any level loss?  Or noise/hum?

Also, will standard BALANCED 1/4 inch jack to XLR cables be OK?

I hope you can help me.  I'm a little confused about the whole balanced/unbalanced, pins 1 & 3 tied to ground thing!!

Thanks,

Danno

Logic 10.7.2 - macOS Monterey 12.7.5
HDSPe Digiface via ExpressCard Adapter
Fireface UFX III & UCX I

2 Reply by MichaelPatrick (edited by MichaelPatrick 2012-12-19 14:46:35)

  • Registered: 2011-04-15
  • Posts: 19

Re: Fireface UFX - Compatibility with Little Bustard Summing Mixer

The manual says:
The Fireface has eight balanced Line inputs as 1/4" TRS jacks on the back of the unit. 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. (p40)

The short circuit protected, low impedance line outputs of channels 3 to 8 are available as 1/4" TRS jacks on the back of the unit. The electronic output stage is built in a servo balanced design which handles unbalanced (mono jacks) and balanced (stereo jacks) correctly. (p41)

  • Registered: 2011-11-02
  • Posts: 59

Re: Fireface UFX - Compatibility with Little Bustard Summing Mixer

Thanks for that Michael.

From that, I think I can conclude that the Little Bustard won't damage the UCX's output stage.

But I'm still not sure whether I'll get any level loss.  And which cables I should use.

Logic 10.7.2 - macOS Monterey 12.7.5
HDSPe Digiface via ExpressCard Adapter
Fireface UFX III & UCX I

4 Reply by isaac (edited by isaac 2012-12-20 06:49:24)

  • isaac
  • isaac
  • S/Mux specialist
  • Offline
  • From: Auckland New Zealand
  • Registered: 2007-05-01
  • Posts: 339

Re: Fireface UFX - Compatibility with Little Bustard Summing Mixer

MichaelPatrick wrote:

The manual says:
The Fireface has eight balanced Line inputs as 1/4" TRS jacks on the back of the unit. 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. (p40)

The short circuit protected, low impedance line outputs of channels 3 to 8 are available as 1/4" TRS jacks on the back of the unit. The electronic output stage is built in a servo balanced design which handles unbalanced (mono jacks) and balanced (stereo jacks) correctly. (p41)

So yes it compensates and yes mono jacks are fine.

Isaac P

5 Reply by DanRand (edited by DanRand 2012-12-20 15:17:31)

  • Registered: 2011-11-02
  • Posts: 59

Re: Fireface UFX - Compatibility with Little Bustard Summing Mixer

Sorry, should have been more clear.

I'm referring to level loss on the balanced outputs, due to the unbalanced XLR inputs on the Bustard having pins 1 & 3 tied to ground.

Also, the Little Bustard only has unbalanced XLR inputs.  How would I wire mono jacks to an unbalanced XLR, remembering that pins 1 & 3 are tied to ground?  I thought I could just use balanced TRS to XLR from the UCX's outputs?

When the manual refers to short circuit protected, does that refer to situations such as where pins 1 & 3 are tied to ground on the Bustard?

A little confused...

Thanks.

Logic 10.7.2 - macOS Monterey 12.7.5
HDSPe Digiface via ExpressCard Adapter
Fireface UFX III & UCX I