Connecting Instruments to mixer ?

Archived from groups: alt.audio.pro.live-sound,rec.audio.pro (More info?)

If your effects pedals are like most, they can be plugged into either
unbalanced or balanced inputs. So whichever cable you can get your
hands on. You will need either 1/4" to XLR or 1/4" to RCA. And
actually 1/4" "stereo" to XLR or RCA will work , because when you
plug a stereo 1/4" into a mono jack (your effects pedals are mono
which means they are Tip and Ring, just two wires), it goes to mono if
the jack isn't stereo. Stereo is just another way of saying three
wires, not two, doesn't have much with true stereo right left sound
distribution.

Anyway, Musicians Friend sells a stereo 1/4" to XLR and you can return
it if it doesn't work.

pcmangler2000@hotmail.com wrote in message news:<jobfi0d85qv5cvkslj90sm8p6r1trhnsu6@4ax.com>...
> Hi,
>
> I have a mixer that has eight inputs and I'm trying to work out how I
> can connect up the guitars in my band.
>
> Inputs 1 through 4 have balanced XLR (low impedance) "Mic In"
> connectors AND an RCA 'Line In' socket.
>
> Inputs 5 and 6 have the same as above PLUS an extra RCS 'Phono' socket
> (for "nominal high impedance magnetic cartridge turntable" so says the
> manual).
>
> Inputs 7 and 8 have the two RCA connectors as above ("Phono" and "Line
> In" ) but the "Mic In" is now a 1/4" jack and "High impedance,
> Unbalanced".
>
> The manual says that inputs 7 & 8 can take instruments directly in the
> 1/4" "Mic In". However, we are a guitar & vocals trio, and that
> leaves me guessing where the third guitar can be connected.
> The guitar in question (mine !) is going through a series of effects
> pedals on my pedal board first. Can I connect this to one of the
> "Line In" RCA sockets ? Or would it be better to just get a 1/4" to
> XLR adaptor and go into a low impedance Mic socket ?
>
> In short, where the hell can I plug it in ? !! I'd rather not get a
> D.I. box just yet if I can avoid it. Will the fact that my guitar
> signal is coming out of a stack of pedals rather than direct from the
> guitar change the suitability of a particular input on the mixer ?
>
> Many thanks in advance,
>
> Cheers,
>
> Kev.