MIXER - How to convert PC headphone to Line in Signal?

Question

Im trying to connect my computer to a mixer board. When I connect it to the mixer from PC i get a very bad sound (sounds distorted or some sort).

Bad sound diagram:

(PC headphone) --> 3.5mm cable --> 1/4 Adapter --> Mixer Line in (neutrik xlr trs combo)

Am I doing this wrongly? Or should I even

Can you also explain what you mean by distorted - do you mean like an overdriven guitar amp? — Rory Alsop, Oct 24 '18 at 16:16
Dont have an tape input because it a usb external soundcard (headphone + mic). — user1148967, Oct 25 '18 at 17:09
Are you saying you’re trying to record audio from your computer back into your computer? Is your 1/4” end a TRS or just TS? — Timinycricket, Oct 26 '18 at 02:21
@Timinycricket Just want to connect headphone to a neutrik TRS input. — user1148967, Oct 26 '18 at 17:26
@user1148967 the headphone out will be in TRS stereo. The TRS input is not stereo it is balanced; so if the other end of the headphone cable is TRS for stereo that is what the distorted sound is coming from. You’d need a stereo to mono cable or use a stereo input. — Timinycricket, Oct 27 '18 at 06:31

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 16 '18 at 11:57

yeah you're doing it wrong.

The PC headphone output is a stereo output jack. pinout is :

In order to connect this to a computer, you need to make an adapter cable.

you will need two XLR's or 1/4 inch adapters.

1/4" adapter or XLR Adapter 1 (Left) will require the following pinout:

1/4" adapter or XLR Adapter 2 (Right) will require the following pinout:

What you are currently doing (wrong) is connecting the stereo signal directly to the XLR input:

Because the input is balanced, the signal you are experiencing on the input is actually "L-R" which is the stereo 'difference' signal.

1 Answers1