Here is my 2 cents as an EE.....
Headphone outputs are generally amplified in order to drive enough level into the lower impedance of headphones. The amplifier used in the headphone circuit is generally of higher distortion and noise than the line outs. If you are trying to get the lowest noise signal, stick with the line outs. The added small amount of distortion gives the synth signal the audible drive, presence or hotness, even if the levels are the same. However, the headphone out is capable of greater output voltage than the line outs. As you move away from the recommended input levels of your recording equipment, it too is going to have increase distortion and for a synth, this is like compression on drums, a signal that stands out. I many times add a small amount of distortion to a synth signal to give it more presence while there are many genre's that the distortion is not wanted.....there is no harm in using the headphone output but it is not the least noise and cleanest place to start...
Bob
El Segundo, CA
-----Original Message-----
>From: Jeff <jf.serviere@...>
>Sent: Feb 21, 2010 4:16 PM
>To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [AN1x] (Headphone/LineOuts) Confused as to why...
>
>Hi !
>the output impedance is much lower on the phones output than on the line
>output, even if the levels (in volts) are not very different∗. The low
>impedance output can keep a high level even loaded with few ohms.
>Cheers.
>J.F.
>∗Some kind of motorcycle comparison : level would be "equivalent" to
>BHP, output impedance to torque. Plumber comparison : level is the
>pressure, output impedance is the flow.I know this is awful for an
>electronician but ...
>gravkitty a écrit :
>>
>> Official Question 1:
>> Why is the headphone output hotter than the actual line outs?
>>
>> Official Question 2:
>> Are there any issues for prolonged use of the headphone outs for
>> recording in a home studio scenario? I never push any synth beyond 3/4
>> max volume.
>>
>> Is there some, not in the manual, aspect/reasoning behind this? I
>> don't understand, it seems to me(IMHO), it should be the reverse. I
>> suppose in a live sound application, the line outs would go to an
>> amp/pa which would take care of the issue. I'm just a guy in the
>> bedroom though.
>>
>> I'm trying really hard to stay on track with FAWM.org, and I noticed
>> something I recorded (using an1x, sh32 and an200) that the AN200 was
>> way lighter than it should have been. This caused me to doubt all the
>> cables and connections, so I rigorously unplugged everything. Found
>> the best cables I have and ran thru all the equipment 'outs', all the
>> mixer 'ins', in order to get a birds eye view on the situation.
>>
>> I have the AN1X midi out to the AN-200 then SH-32(good combo for a
>> broad expansive sound), My Pk-6 is just going straight into the
>> mixer(Yamaha MG10/2). The an1x, an200 and sh32 are all going into
>> there own channels. From there, to a recorder.
>>
>> I gotta say, the action on the AN1X keyboard is so awesome, it gets my
>> best vote (the Ion gets worst)
>>
>> Sorry if this is rambling...
>>
>>
>
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