TRS to XLR Cables for your Taylor's

[Scriptor]

Any recommendations as to TRS to XLR cable brands (model numbers) that you favor for your Taylor?  Side question:  Do some folks prefer NOT to use the TRS to XLR and just go with a standard 1/4 inch end to end?   Why?  Or Why not?  Thanks.

[DennisG]

My Roland AC-60 amp has an input jack for an XLR cable.  Unfortunately, that's also the channel my mic has to be plugged into, so I'm forced to use a standard 1/4-inch cable in the other channel for my guitar.  But my preference would be to use XLR -- no doubt about it.

[Edward]

Hey Scriptor,

FWIW (and since you asked ), I've played with all the possible iterations: balanced, unbalanced, balanced into matching transformer, straight into PA, through a DI w/o preamp, with a preamp, EQs w/o preamp...

My bottom line is if you can get the tone you want and nothing else unwanted (like hiss or hum), then whatever the method that gets you there is good.  And if you can get the same sonic results in a simpler setup, then even better.  So having tried all the above, I've arrived at a regular guitar cable (albeit a good one), straight into a Baggs Venue, then into the house.  Done, easy, and sounds great. 

What you get from going with a balanced signal is better signal-to-noise ratio, an unhampered signal over a long cable run (say, longer than 20'), and better noise rejection (if there's RF, noise from lighting, or whatever).  But if you get equally good performance, then I always opt for the simpler setup.

Edward

[roadbiker]

Here's my experience...

I have a 2011 814ce and bought a Fishman Loudbox Mini to play it through. I was using a standard 1/4" cable and it worked fine, but I found that when I played my Taylor compared to my Epiphone, I had to turn up the volume on the amp to get the same volume out of the Taylor. Based on recommendations in this and the AG forum, I bought a balanced TRS to XLR cable and a Low-High impedance transformer. The cable I bought is a Monster StudioLink TRS to XLR cable and the transformer is an Audix T-50K. I needed that because the Loudbox Mini only has a 1/4' input for the guitar channel. It works great The volume is way batter than it was using a standard cable.

Now ask me how I like the Taylor Expression System and I am not as enthusiastic. Compared to my Epiphone, which is a (very low-end guitar in comparison), I agree it sounds better, but I find that the ES is very sensitive to static and it makes a noticable hiss on the amp unless I am grounding it by touching the strings. I also found that frequencies emitted from my computer can produce an undesirable sound through the amp depending on the position of the guitar in relation to the PC. It's irritating because I sometimes play in front of my PC when learning songs from either YouTube, Media Player, or iTunes. Otherwise I think it sounds great. Just a lot more "finicky" than I anticipated.

I hope this helps.

Jim

[dangrunloh]

I'm using a standard 1/4 cable now and want to try the TRS to XLR with impedance adapter as mentioned. I'm happy enough with the 1/4 cable now but would be out of luck if I had to plug into a PA with XLR. I have no such cable. Do you all like the straight plug or the 90 degree plug into the guitar? 

[acmeseed]

Loudbox Mini

Jim,

I have the same setup, since I bought the amp the only guitars I have played through it are my 2010 814ce and my 2011 514ce and I had to raise the volume to about 3/4 to be able to hear myself over the guy next to me with his Fender tube amp. Last week I plugged in my Martin 000 with a newly installed Fishman undersaddle pickup and was surprised I had to drop the volume a lot on the amp. I am definitely going to try your cable setup.

[roadbiker]

Loudbox Mini

Jim,

I have the same setup, since I bought the amp the only guitars I have played through it are my 2010 814ce and my 2011 514ce and I had to raise the volume to about 3/4 to be able to hear myself over the guy next to me with his Fender tube amp. Last week I plugged in my Martin 000 with a newly installed Fishman undersaddle pickup and was surprised I had to drop the volume a lot on the amp. I am definitely going to try your cable setup.

Mike, let me know how it works out for you. I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with the results.

Jim

[KevinIndiana]

I just bought a Loudbox Artist. Unlike the Mini, both channels have dual-mode TRS/XLR input jacks, so I can plug the XLR end of my cable directly into the amp. Does this negate the need for the Audix T-50K lo-hi impedance transformer? It would seem so, but thought I'd ask. Thanks!