SSlmixed.com Forum

Tech discussion => General info - Tools,How to - => Topic started by: marcmozart on March 10, 2013, 08:52:22 PM

Title: 3,5mm Mini-Jack to SSL (iPad, iPod, iPhone, Macbook, etc.)
Post by: marcmozart on March 10, 2013, 08:52:22 PM

I assume we all sometimes need to connect a consumer device with an unbalanced 3,5mm Mini-Stereo-Jack to our consoles. Or unbalanced consumer CD/SACD-Players, Macbooks etc.

Jenson Transformers offer these little "ISO-MAX" boxes with high-quality transformers, but they are relatively expensive (around 200 US$)

http://jensen-transformers.com/pi2xx.html

How are you guys dealing with this? Any DIY-Ideas?

Title: Re: 3,5mm Mini-Jack to SSL (iPad, iPod, iPhone, Macbook, etc.)
Post by: kilmister on March 10, 2013, 09:48:17 PM

I used some Lundahl  600:600 transformers I had laying around to convert signal from unbalanced to balanced from the studio computer to the console.
I also modified card 29 a bit and changed R4 and R5 at couple of channels from 19K1 to 68K to get around 12dB more gain so I can plug iPod etc. straight to console.

-Paavo

Title: Unbalanced equipment into SSL
Post by: jimlfixit on March 15, 2013, 12:05:03 AM

Hi Marc. I'm no techie but have some Sowter 5069 1:1 transformers which may be useful for your purpose. I have advertised them in the buy/sell menu today (14th March 13). Alternatively, I think Canford Audio, Studio Spares or Bryant Broadcast (or unlimited) may have some suitable versions.

Regards from Jim Lassen (www.profcon.co.uk). Also on Facebook FACEBOOK (http://www.facebook.com/pages/ProfCon-wwwprofconcouk-Professional-Connections-Jim-Lassen/371183312969924?ref=hl/)

Title: Re: 3,5mm Mini-Jack to SSL (iPad, iPod, iPhone, Macbook, etc.)
Post by: elshiftos on March 19, 2013, 03:34:21 PM

These are pretty good and you would be hard pushed to get a single 1:1 10K Sowter for this money!

http://hiveindustries.com/PC-Bal-Box/PCBalBox

Title: Re: 3,5mm Mini-Jack to SSL (iPad, iPod, iPhone, Macbook, etc.)
Post by: kilmister on March 19, 2013, 04:06:23 PM

Does not matter which method is used to convert unbalanced signal to balanced, gain have to be raised when signal comes from consumer level device at -10dBV. Otherwise level is not anything nearby with the mix bus assuming "normal" +4dBu (or higher  8) ) mixing level.

-Paavo

Title: Re: 3,5mm Mini-Jack to SSL (iPad, iPod, iPhone, Macbook, etc.)
Post by: michaeldtech on July 05, 2013, 06:16:12 PM

You want to bump 12-14 dB to be able to compare multiple sources at similar levels to the mix bus.

I like and use the ART Cleanbox (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/288115-REG/ART_CLEANBOXPRO_CLEANBOX_Bi_Directional_Level_Matching.html) for active and Ebtech Line Level Shifter (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LLS2?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=COL86oPrmLgCFcGe4Aodaz8ARQ) for passive.  The newer Cleanbox even has mini jacks on it for easy integration.

For DIY you can do it with two dual op amps.  The Ebtech uses two 600:15000 trannies with zobel networks on both sides.

Title: Re: 3,5mm Mini-Jack to SSL (iPad, iPod, iPhone, Macbook, etc.)
Post by: michaeldtech on December 23, 2013, 09:40:39 PM

I had an ART box with a blown output and used two 33078's from the lonely Studer spares box instead of replacing the 4558's stock and what a huge improvement in gain and noise floor. Huge. It becomes a much better box.
Mike