Shopping For New Cables - Unbalanced or Balanced?

[Shams]

Okay here's the deal, I've dusted off my MPC 2XL (w/8 outs) and decided to start using it a little more (I've been using strictly software for the last 3-4 years). The cables (8 cable snake) I once used (which were given to me by a friend about 7 years ago who was cleaning out his studio) are pooched and i'm getting a pretty nasty hum out of them, so it's time to repurchase.

The MPC2XL (as far as I know) is unbalanced, I'll most likely be running it into my Roland VS-1680(using it as my control surface/mixer) which is sitting about 4-5 feet from the MPC, so I was looking at getting 6 ft. I also have a DIGI 001 which I don't use that much, so it might need to connect to that machine in the future. For the time being though I use my Audiophile 24/96 as my main soundcard.

So basically, I'm going MPC>Roland>2496. If anyone is familiar with this setup (at least the MPC to VS-1680) could you give me your opinion?

Thanks.

 

[FistFulloDollaz]

Balanced they block out more NOISE, but can be more expensive sometimes

 

[Formant024]

also isolate your audio from power cables and psu's.

 

[Fury]

Balanced so u can run proper stereo

 

[FistFulloDollaz]

Balanced so u can run proper stereo

what do u mean by proper stereo?

 

[5th Sequence]

not sure about the balanced giving proper stereo thing, but a balanced cable does block more noise. You don't have to worry about getting braided or spiral sheilded cables since you shouldnt be moving the cables themselves that much. Just keep in mind that a balanced cable with regular foil sheilding gives the best protection but it can be damaged easily if you bend your cables.

 

[Shams]

Okay thanks for the reinforcement guys. initially when I called my guy over at my regular DJ dealers he asked me balanced or unbalanced, without hesitation I immediately responded with "balanced"

I've always bought balanced but remembered hearing someone talk about unbalanced recently (in regards to MPC), just wanted to make sure I haven't been missing out on something all these years (I bought my MPC back in 99)

And as for the "proper stereo" thing, I'm not sure what you mean. regardless of what I use it's still going to be stereo if I make it so. Use single lines for bass, snares, hats, kick etc....and use two I/O for my stereo, one cable left, one cable right. (using two tracks on the VS panning one hard left, one hard right) I don't see how unbalanced affects this.

Thanks for all the responses.