Connecting to Audio Interface

OP-1 Help
1

I’m a beginner, and so a couple basic questions in anticipation of my OP-1 arriving in the mail–oh my god, the wait!


1) My audio interface is Native Instruments’ Komplete Audio 6. I believe I have 2 input options: 1) the 2 balanced 1/4" or 2) the 2 balanced mic/line/instrument XLR.

Judging by the appearance of the ports (see photo link below), I couldn’t see how the latter would be an option, but the manual says the 2 XLR inputs “have a combination socket for use with XLR or 1/4” jack connectors” and they also have additional Gain control. And the specs for these 2 input sets are slightly different, though I don’t know enough to understand what they mean.

A photo of the I/O, and the interface’s specs, in case it’s helpful:
http://www.native-instruments.com/typo3temp/pics/img-ce-gallery-komplete_audio_6_gallery_intro_02_2x-5773c04d6e83c618ca0a087ff8420e15-d@2x.jpg
http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/audio-interfaces/komplete-audio-6/specifications/

Which of the 2 options is the ideal one, if in fact both are viable? I imagine the latter one as I saw one thread where a few people said the OP-1 signal is quiet for them (http://operator-1.com/index.php?p=/discussion/575/how-do-you-feed-your-op-1-output-into-a-daw#latest).
2) No matter which input set I choose, it seems like my only cable option is a 1/8" TRS to dual 1/4" TS cable, is that right?
3) And for some further education, in a 1/8" TRS to dual 1/4" TS cable, even though the TRS portion is balanced, is the connection ultimately unbalanced because of the unbalanced TS portion?

Thanks for any guidance!
2

Hi here’s what I think:

  1. use the combo sockets on the line setting and adjust the gain to taste( yes the op-1 output is a little low)
  2. yes that’s the best option I know of
  3. as far as I know its unbalanced anyways(the 1/8 TRS is just a unbalanced stereo signal splitting into two 1/4 cables) don’t worry though you only need balanced cables for cables longer than about 20 feet.
3
3) as far as I know its unbalanced anyways(the 1/8 TRS is just a unbalanced stereo signal splitting into two 1/4 cables) don't worry though you only need balanced cables for cables longer than about 20 feet.

Ah, okay. I googled a fair bit on TRS, TS, balanced, unbalanced, etc. It remained confusing to me, partly cause it was also hard to find simple info on 1/8" jacks.


Thanks.