So... does 48v/PP melt the XLR outs of the Helix or not?

DieSchmalle said:
Their statement is a bit problematic. I.e. laptops are excellent noise sources, a short unbalanced cable is all it takes to pick it up.
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Realistically it's probably ok. Just deselect the instrument input button.
 
DieSchmalle said:
Yes, TRS/XLR combo jacks carry the phantom power only on the XLR pins. At least those that I came across and measured.
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The XLR out of the helix does not contain 48v though? The TRS input of the 2i2 doesn't have 48v either.

edit: @DieSchmalle Sorry, misread your quote above. :grin
 
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FuzzyAce said:
haha, well nothing bad will happen. But it's fine from a level/gain perspective. Yes, if you use a 30ft ts cable you're opening up the chance for noise.
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A noisy mainboard close to the recording interface is a common scenario is all I'm saying.
 
DieSchmalle said:
I'm talking about the general case:
Use a TRS plug when you want to make sure a XLR/TRS combo input jack doesn't damage your device with phantom power.
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Yeah, I put an edit above. Sorry I misread what you wrote.
 
Only one way to find out
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BahamaDada said:
Hey folks,
If we go by the Helix manual it says to never connect the XLR out to a device that has 48v engaged (Like my Scarlett 2i2 does all the time),
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Are you certain of that? My 2i2 has a switch for phantom power.
BahamaDada said:
You guys are knowledged (I guess?) and have some experience. What's the truth here? I mean, yes, basically I should do what the official manual tells me, but it seems that ymmv in this situation.
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Phantom power should be applied through 6.8k series resistors. If shorted to circuit common - worst case for current draw - this would result in less than ten milliamps, which won't cause permanent damage to much of anything.

OTOH, devices with active outputs - like the Helix - should not be connected to phantom power, as that can seriously degrade audio quality.
 
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jay mitchell said:
Are you certain of that? My 2i2 has a switch for phantom power.
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Worded that misleading. 2i2 has a switch, but a global one (IIRC). My condenser vocal mic is in input 2 and it needs 48v. Therefore 48v is always on globall on m 2i2. Wrote at another point I could surely unplug the Helix everytime I activate 48v, but I bet I will forget that somewhere down the line. Repeatedly.
 
jay mitchell said:
Phantom power should be applied through 6.8k series resistors. If shorted to circuit common - worst case for current draw - this would result in less than one milliamp, which won't cause permanent damage to much of anything.
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48V / 6800Ohm = 7mA, but yes, the direct current shouldn't be a problem...
 
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