Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug?

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SeveredVesper
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October 07, 11 7:36 AM (permalink)

Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug?

Or do i really have to have it replaced with a mono one?

I mean i know it's always gonna end up mono, and that's fine. I just want to know if a stereo plug will still transmit the same signal a mono plug will when plugged into a 1/4 female jack of an effects pedal.

'Cause i need a Male XLR to Male 1/4 TRS cable/adapter, and i have 2 choices.

One is a balanced male XLR at one end and an unbalanced mono 1/4 TRS on the other.

The other one is a cordless (solid) adapter that has a balanced male XLR or one end and a stereo 1/4 TRS on the other end.

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    Beagle
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 7:51 AM (permalink)
    as long as the manufacturer of the pedal didn't do anything odd with the design then it should work.  try it and see.

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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 8:06 AM (permalink)
    It should work just fine as long as you have the right adapters to make it work. 

    I have a box full of all sorts of adapters for just about every thing under the sun.... but generally, when I need to do something, I find that the one adapter I don't have in that box full of adapters, seems to still be hanging on the rack at Radio Shack. 

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    #3
    SeveredVesper
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 8:16 AM (permalink)
    I wish my country had Radio Shack to.

    Anyway, thanks guys! 

    When i call up the audio shop at the other side of the town and find out that they don't have adapters, will this do fine?

    http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=Adpt-MxQmm&preadd=action

    I'm just gonna ask help from my cousin and his card since i'm not yet 18 yet urgh.

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    #4
    SeveredVesper
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 8:18 AM (permalink)

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    mudgel
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 8:29 AM (permalink)
    I don't undersand why you need an XLR adapter if your're coming from a stereo TRS to  MONO 1/4inch jack input of a guitar pedal.

    You have the choice to combine the 2 signals from your stereo source (left and right) or just use the left or right signal; whichever is fed to the tip of your 1/4inch plug.

    XLR plugs don't transmit stereo signals (even though in theory they could) they are for balanced line /mic signals.

    what exactly is the beginning of the signal chain you want to ffed to your guitar pedal?

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    SeveredVesper
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 8:35 AM (permalink)
    Sorry Mudgel.

    Clarifications:

    Speakers > mixer > xlr cable > adapter (supposedly) > effects pedal > microphone


    And by the way, i can't change the xlr cable before the mixer. This is for live purposes when i need an effect pedal for my vocals on stage.
    post edited by SeveredVesper - October 07, 11 8:36 AM

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    jackn2mpu
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 8:41 AM (permalink)
    SeveredVesper


    Sorry Mudgel.

    Clarifications:

    Speakers > mixer > xlr cable > adapter (supposedly) > effects pedal > microphone


    And by the way, i can't change the xlr cable before the mixer. This is for live purposes when i need an effect pedal for my vocals on stage.


    Assuming the mic is the input in the chain (and the speakers are the output) you are NOT dealing with a stereo signal as has been mentioned before. Unless you've got one of those mics that have two capsules for stereo and even then they would not have your typical 3 pin xlr connector.



    Jack
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    #8
    mudgel
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 8:45 AM (permalink)
    Isn't there an fx or aux loop on the mixer you can use.

    using a microphone as your source makes it more than just what adapters are used. In this application you're going to have all sorts of impedance mismatches to contend with.

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    jackn2mpu
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 8:48 AM (permalink)
    mudgel


    Isn't there an fx or aux loop on the mixer you can use.

    using a microphone as your source makes it more than just what adapters are used. In this application you're going to have all sorts of impedance mismatches to contend with.


    Not only impedance matches but levels as well. Mics don't put out as much signal as most guitar pickups.

    Jack
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    mudgel
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 8:52 AM (permalink)
    I understand.

    I'm not sure our friend does.

    Mike V. (MUDGEL)

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    #11
    SeveredVesper
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 9:12 AM (permalink)
    Yeah i understand that it's mono from the start. What i'm asking is, will it work?
    I'm not much to concerned with how pure the signal still will sound. My objective is just how to make it work? If impendance is the problem, what are your suggestions for that?

    And no i don't have access to the mixer i will be using live, and i will never have access to it or even a request for such.

    Thank you. 
    post edited by SeveredVesper - October 07, 11 9:13 AM

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    #12
    SeveredVesper
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 9:19 AM (permalink)

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    mudgel
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 9:25 AM (permalink)
    Mono is not your issue.

    Microphones put out very low level signals. Guitar pedals are designed to accept very high impedance line level signals from guitars. 

    Sure it will work. it'll sound like rubbish most likely but then we don't know what sort of mic or what the guitar pedal effect is youre wanting to use.
    but
    YOu didn't answer my question.

    Isn't there an fx or aux loop on your mixer as that would solve your problem completely.
     
    Connect the guitar pedal in the fx or aux loop on your mixer on the channel you connect your mic to. then you can use the pedal as intended and the mic too and get the sound you want.

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    SeveredVesper
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 9:34 AM (permalink)
    I see.

    I answered your question, in which i mean that even if there is an fx or aux loop in the channel, i can never access that mixer/channel or request for the people in charge to do so. And that's constant. (Yes they are arses so i won't elaborate. It's been like that eversince). So the loops are out.

    Will the Lo Z to Hi Z transformer help?


    It's a compressor through a 57.


    Or a DI box before it?
    post edited by SeveredVesper - October 07, 11 9:39 AM

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    jackn2mpu
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 9:52 AM (permalink)
    SeveredVesper


    I see.

    I answered your question, in which i mean that even if there is an fx or aux loop in the channel, i can never access that mixer/channel or request for the people in charge to do so. And that's constant. (Yes they are arses so i won't elaborate. It's been like that eversince). So the loops are out.

    Will the Lo Z to Hi Z transformer help?


    It's a compressor through a 57.


    Or a DI box before it?


    The transformer will only take care of the impedance mismatch; it will not help your low output level from the mic. A di box will do nothing. You simply need more level to feed the stompbox. You're going to need a preamp of some kind between the mic and the compressor. This must be some compressor if you're willing to put up with the crappy sound you'll be getting on your vocals. Remember that guitar effects are working with a limited bandwidth circuitry compared to something made for vocals. More likely than not you'll be losing most of your highs.

    I've tried the device you mention in post 13 - it's not the total solution you'll need.

    Jack
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    mudgel
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 10:01 AM (permalink)
    When you mentioned the mixer situation in your last post was the first I heard about your situation. So they let you connect a mic but not an fx loop. Weird.

    Think I'll bow out. Jack and I are cross posting anyway. better if you just get one lot of advice and suggestions. All the best

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    SeveredVesper
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 10:08 AM (permalink)
    @Mudgel

    I apologize for my situation. Thank you very much for your help. The only thing i have control of is the mic cable, which i could remove their supplied microphone and replace it with my own. That's why i was thinking of hooking that cable with a pedal so that i could have control of my signal without me having to bug them onstage.

    @Jack

    Thanks! You and Mudgel have helped a lot with info.

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    SeveredVesper
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 07, 11 10:20 AM (permalink)
    If for example, i tell the PAs to feed the effect to the FX loop, what is the most immediate excuse he can give me? So that i know what to prepare and the dudes won't get to do anything. Extra cables? Power supply?

    Sorry for the lack of knowledge. It's the first time i'm hooking up things vocal-wise live. And i also don't know anything about impendance since my recording and mixing process doesn't involve anything with it that i need to worry about.
    post edited by SeveredVesper - October 07, 11 10:24 AM

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    mudgel
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 08, 11 7:03 AM (permalink)
    No need to apologize for your situation. I only know what you tell me and it seemed that Jack was providing answers for you. If two people get involved giving advice you can end up confusing more than clearing things up. that's why I was going to bow out and let Jack continue.

    BUT.

    All you really need is a pair of guitar leads long enough to go either to and from the mixer or to a stage box if they are using a multicore between the mixer and the stage. the leads connect from the Auxilairy out from the desk to the input of your pedal and from the output of your pedal back to the input on the auxiliary. Once its connected they (the PA guys)set the levels at sound check which they have to do for your mic channel anyway and you setup your pedal to the sound you want. You have control of whenver you want your special effect or not. If its a compressor i'd be surprised that your PA guys aren't using compression on a live mix anyway especially the vocals.

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    #20
    Crg
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    Re:Will an effects pedal accept an input from a stereo TRS plug? October 08, 11 10:46 AM (permalink)
    Do yourself a favor and get "vocal effects" unit. One that is made to accept mic cables. Using a guitar compression peddle is going to problematic on many levels. Also consider using a small 2 or 4 channel mixer placed at your position and use the effects loop on that for the peddle.

    Craig DuBuc
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