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Why not headphone out?
Posted: 08 Aug 2023, 02:33
by twofarmers
I've been using dual 1/4" cables to a stereo (Radial) DI box to Dual XLR cables to the stage mixer for years (L and R out). At home, I use a TRS cable plugged into the headphone out that is split to dual 1/4" TS cables into a stereo amp for practice. Since I am usually within about ten feet of the mixer on stage, I am thinking about using a good quality TRS 1/4" to dual 1/4" TS cable for the stage and do away with the DI box and cables. Is there any reason to use the DI box on stage? (I am using the NE6HP). Keepin' it simple. Thanks in advance...Tony
Re: Why not headphone out?
Posted: 08 Aug 2023, 09:03
by st2ex
A DI Box avoids humming on the audio signals being caused by protected ground loops (110/230V) power leads with ground earth.
Re: Why not headphone out?
Posted: 08 Aug 2023, 15:26
by ajstan
The headphone out includes amplification so it will be a hotter signal and likely "color" the output in some way and potentially add noise. Whether it's noticeable or not depends upon the rest of the signal chain.
As for using a DI or not to the mixer, my default is running 6' TS cables from my NS3s to a Key Largo (with a built-in DI) on my pedalboard, and then XLR outs across the stage to wherever our stage box is with the splitter snake. My thought is that I'm OK running unbalanced TS cables within the confines of my rig (after all, the NS3 has unbalanced TS outs), but once my output cables start interacting with others on the stage, I want my signal to be running through balanced XLR cables.
https://geekmusician.com/line-out-vs-headphone-out/