Page 1
Line Level Shifter™ INSTRUCTIONS
1Meg100k50k10
k
0.007.078.155.74810.008.091.180.853
50.013.142.2791.260
100.020.205.4011.74
3
300.046.453.8733.44
5
600.085.8121.5365.500
1000.1361.2692.3487.650
R
R
loa
d
sourc
e
MAKING THE CONNECTION
The Line Level Shifter™ is designed to allow you to use equipment with different line level
requirements at their correct gain settings. This will reduce noise and enable you to use
any piece of equipment.
Balanced or unbalanced lines may be used at either level. However, normally the only
balanced signals will be on the +4dBu side. Balanced signals will give you the advantage
of common mode rejection (CMR), canceling out any noise picked up by balanced lines
as they run near AC power.
USING THE LINE LEVEL SHIFTER™
The TRS smart jacks do all of the rewiring for you. For unbalanced signals just use standard
1/4" two conductor connectors. For balanced signals use 1/4" three conductor (TRS) connectors.
TRS connectors are sometimes called stereo plugs but remember to never use stereo or
multiple channels in one connector with the Line Level Shifter™. Stereo requires two separate
channels. Use a "Y" cable with one stereo plug and two mono plugs (one for each channel
of the Line Level Shifter™).
TIP = + or - (just be consistent between +4dBu & -10dBV)
RING = + or - (just be consistent between +4dBu & -10dBV)
SLEEVE = Ground
THE INS AND OUTS OF IMPEDANCE
Quality products are designed to have low impedance (<100 ohms) at the line level output
jacks and high impedance (>10K ohms) at the line level input jacks. The Line Level Shifter™
operates best under these conditions, giving the full 11db gain desired. However, the Line
Level Shifter™ has been designed to work in less ideal situations with only a modest reduction
of gain in the -10dBV to +4dBu direction. There is no effect when going from +4dBu to -10dBV.
R source = Output impedance of equipment (-10dBV) in ohms
R load = Input impedance of equipment (+4dBu) in ohms
EBTECH® Line Level Shifter™ Applications
What's converting between -10dBV and +4dBu all about? Most consumer music gear has -10dBV
inputs/outputs, while most pro gear has +4dBu inputs/outputs (which is 11dB greater or 3.5
times louder). Additionally, the -10dBV signal lines are unbalanced and are susceptible to picking
up noise, whereas the pro gear lines are generally balanced and more immune to picking up noise.
Incorrectly matching the signal levels between gear can result in volumes that are too low, having
to turn up the gain and increase the noise floor. It also limits the range of volume control between
all inputs, which makes it difficult to get a good mix and can potentially overload the -10dBV
inputs. The Line Level Shifter™ converts between unbalanced and balanced lines as needed and
always converts between -10dBV and +4dBu.
The Line Level Shifter™ also eliminates hum, just like the EBTECH® Hum Eliminator™ (see
pages 2, 3 & 4 for further detail). The difference is that the Line Level Shifter™ always steps
up or down your signal. Below are more specific applications for the Line Level Shifter™.
DJ MIXERS - Most DJ mixer main outs are unbalanced -10dBV RCA and most power amps have
balanced +4dBu inputs. When going from a -10dBV DJ mixer to a +4dBu power amp, over
2/3rd's of the amp's volume is lost. That turns a 600-watt amp down to 175 watts. Many
DJs prefer the feature set of a particular -10dBV unit and the few DJ mixers that have +4dBu
outputs can cost much more than a -10dBV DJ mixer. Use a Line Level Shifter™ to get all of the
lost power back and get rid of hum at the same time!
MIXERS / RECORDING - Almost everyone hooks up a -10dBV, unbalanced output from a consumer
CD player, DAT, Minidisc, etc., to an otherwise high performance system. You will get a better
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) using the Line Level Shifter™ rather than by turning up the mixer's input
gain. You can also balance the lines at the same time. Getting the best noise floor means adding
the least amount of active gain. Recording with unbalanced -10dBV outputs (keyboards, effects
units, drum machines, computers, etc.) often requires a lot of active gain. Use the Line Level
Shifter™ to run these units up to balanced +4dBu and provide the best mix you can get. Some
high-end mixers only have +4dBu inputs. When -10dBV equipment is hooked up to these inputs,
use a Line Level Shifter™ to get a better signal level. Tape return levels are often mismatched
with the mixer. They either overload the mixer's input or don't drive it loud enough. The Line
Level Shifter™ works both ways, either stepping the signal up or down.
KEYBOARDS / SAMPLERS / SYNTHS - Most keyboards, samplers, and synthesizers have 1/4"
unbalanced -10dBV outputs. The Line Level Shifter™ converts these outputs to +4dBu for use
with a +4dBu mixer or other +4dBu device without losing volume. Balancing the outputs can
help make long signal runs hum and noise free.
COMPUTER SOUND CARDS · Most sound cards have unbalanced -10dBV inputs/outputs. A Line
Level Shifter™ allows the sound card to work with a +4dBu device and eliminates hum at the
same time. Even balanced sound cards have tremendous susceptibility to ground loops because
of the computer's power supply. If you hear a buzz, use a Hum Eliminator™ (see pages 3, 4, 12 & 13)
BROADCASTING ·Broadcasters frequently need to hook up a consumer -10dBV output CD
player, DAT, etc. to a balanced +4dBu input. The Line Level Shifter™ allows this to be done
without losing volume and eliminates hum at the same time.
AUDIO / VIDEO · The audio inputs on most video camcorders are unbalanced -10dBV. When
running a sound mix from a +4dBu output to the camera, use a Line Level Shifter™ to ensure
its input is not overloaded and the signal is not distorted. Use a Line Level Shifter™ when
running the audio feed from a -10dBV VCR / DVD to a +4dBu sound system to get the best
possible signal quality.
Loading...