TRS/Instrument Cables

Does an instrument cable work with a TRS insert? Are there special TRS cables?

Thanks,

Instrument cables are nearly always TS (Tip, Sleeve) which means that they have only 2 conductors, the signal and ground. By definition, they are unbalanced.

TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) cables have 3 conductors, 2 signals and ground. These can be used for balanced signals where the Tip is + (hot) and the Ring is - (cold) OR they can be used for 2 unbalanced signals where the Tip is Left and Ring is Right (as in stereo headphones) or the Tip is Return and Ring is Send (insert cable). In all cases the Sleeve is ground, which can be disconnected at one end (only in the balanced scenario) to alleviate a ground loop.

Insert cables will usually have a TRS at one end and fan out to two unbalanced connectors at the other end to allow connection to the input and output of an external device.

If you use an instrument cable in a TRS insert jack, here's what you CAN do:

- Jack halfway in, you can get a send out from the insert point without interrupting the internal signal.

- Jack all the way in to insert a signal into the insert point, but you will ground out the send, possibly bad for the gear.

What you CAN'T do is actually get the send and return working correctly.

The following example shows the tip as send and the ring as return (I've seen it done both ways...):

http://www.speakerrepair.com/ebaypics/insert-cable-diagram.jpg

Thanks Bob, so I may have to get a couple of insert cables after I see what the preamp takes.
But it's good to know there's a workaround.

btw, could you take a look at my question about outboard processors and Logic a couple of questions down?