RCA audio issue: forcing mono to both speakers..how?

[donjn]

I got a new Atari 800XL and ordered some cables for it to hook up to my CRT.

Problem is, the right red RCA causes massive feedback sounds when plugged in. I have already eliminated it being anything other than the cable or the Atari 800XL itself. I've checked for ground loops, different speakers, etc..

I'm ordering a new cable but just in case the issue is with the Atari itself I have a question:

How do I take the left white RCA cable, attach it to a 3.5mm computer speaker cable BUT have it play in both speakers MONO? I don't care about stereo I just want both speakers to make noise. I have tried many combinations with cables and it always only comes out of one speaker.

Thanks!

 

[JR>]

Most 5 pin DIN to RCA cables only have one auidio connector. The others are the various video signal. The color coding is also inconsistent. You'll need an RCA splitter cable to get he audio to both inputs.

[donjn]

This is the cable: https://www.8bitclassics.com/shop/av-cables/atari-xlxe-5-pin-din-to-s-video-composite-av-cable/

 

I have a massive amount of audio cables I've tried everything.

[JR>]

Hmmm, that one does claim to have both audio plugs. Bad cable maybe? Check for continuity if you can. Both audio connectors should go to the same DIN pins.

[+DrVenkman]

No Atari 8-bit produces stereo audio by default and the DIN jack only carries a single audio signal - as JR> noted already, only one of the connectors on your DIN jack carries audio. The other is probably either the Chroma or Luma signals, if you’re connected via Compositie, or the Composite signal if you’re connected via Chroma/Luma. Whomever you bought the cable from SHOULD have included a color-coding chart or cheat-sheet for you for reference.

 

Personally, I just two weeks ago built a DIN13 connector for the 1088XLD computer I’ve been building. Since I needed more cables than the standard color coding of Y/R/W allowed for, I decided that I’d use two Yellows for Chroma and Luma, one Red for one channel of audio, one White for the other channel - this computer has stereo POKEY chips - and the second Red for Composite. No, it makes no sense except to me but it does allow for pretty easy trial-and-error if I have to disconnect and move things around. I’ll eventually get hold of a label-maker and mark each cable.

[+Nezgar]

This is the cable: https://www.8bitclassics.com/shop/av-cables/atari-xlxe-5-pin-din-to-s-video-composite-av-cable/

 

I have a massive amount of audio cables I've tried everything.

This cable is "S-Video, Composite, AV" which means the 4 plugs are:

- Svideo Chroma

- Svideo Luma

- Composite Video

- Mono Audio

 

If you're plugging 2 of those into your L/R audio in, one of them will be some 60hz video signal you're hearing. you'll need an audio splitter something like this to plug into the single audio lead:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312251786406

[donjn]

Again here is where I bought it, left and right audio cables it says: https://www.8bitclassics.com/shop/av-cables/atari-xlxe-5-pin-din-to-s-video-composite-av-cable/

[donjn]

This cable is "S-Video, Composite, AV" which means the 4 plugs are:

- Svideo Chroma

- Svideo Luma

- Composite Video

- Mono Audio

 

If you're plugging 2 of those into your L/R audio in, one of them will be some 60hz video signal you're hearing. you'll need an audio splitter something like this to plug into the single audio lead:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312251786406

 

"It also includes left and right audio connectors."

 

I'm confused...

[donjn]

So I need something like this, where the red (or white) is mono audio?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-800-1200XL-65XE-130XE-Audio-Video-RCA-Cable-NEW-Tested/273771757388?hash=item3fbe117f4c:g:ndAAAMXQVT9Sq1ln

[+Nezgar]

 

"It also includes left and right audio connectors."

 

I'm confused...

I agree that line suggests otherwise... but your symptoms described seem to suggest it's actually the signals I listed...

 

it's titled "5-Pin DIN to S-Video & Composite AV Cable"

 

Well, to get svideo, composite, and audio you need at least 4 connections, which the cable has. 2 audio outs would need a total of 5..

[+Nezgar]

So I need something like this, where the red (or white) is mono audio?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-800-1200XL-65XE-130XE-Audio-Video-RCA-Cable-NEW-Tested/273771757388?hash=item3fbe117f4c:g:ndAAAMXQVT9Sq1ln

That one would provide only composite video, and mono audio. you'd still need the splitter I linked to double the audio to 2 leads.

 

You already have a cable that provides those 2 signals, and you can even recombine the bonus luma+chroma leads to a standard svideo connector with something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/253360215473

[+Nezgar]

Ok just reread your OP... to get doubled-mono audio to a stereo 3.5 headphone plug, you'd need these two items connected in series:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312251786406

Then:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/252060824459

[donjn]

Ok just reread your OP... to get doubled-mono audio to a stereo 3.5 headphone plug, you'd need these two items connected in series:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312251786406

Then:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/252060824459

 

But if all I want IS composite and then audio going to speakers that creates audio in both speakers wouldn't this be all I need?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-800-1200XL-65XE-130XE-Audio-Video-RCA-Cable-NEW-Tested/273771757388

 

I am not interested in s-video. I would rather buy new cables from within the USA.

Edited April 4, 2019 by donjn

[+Nezgar]

 

But if all I want IS composite and then audio going to speakers that creates audio in both speakers wouldn't this be all I need?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-800-1200XL-65XE-130XE-Audio-Video-RCA-Cable-NEW-Tested/273771757388

 

I am not interested in s-video. I would rather buy new cables from within the USA.

On that cable I see:

- Composite video

- Mono Audio

 

To end up with a 3.5mm plug carrying audio on both L+R, you'd still need the 2 adapters...

[donjn]

On that cable I see:

- Composite video

- Mono Audio

 

To end up with a 3.5mm plug carrying audio on both L+R, you'd still need the 2 adapters...

So you're saying that mono when plugged directly into a 3.5mm plug with produce sound in only one speaker?

Because I have a lot of RCA to 3.5mm combinations.

[JR>]

If you look at the cable he bought, it has an s-video connector (chroma + luma) plus 3 rca cables, one for composite and 2 for audio. I assume this means that the cable is already (supposed to be) splitting the mono audio signal to both connectors.

[+Nezgar]

So you're saying that mono when plugged directly into a 3.5mm plug with produce sound in only one speaker?

Because I have a lot of RCA to 3.5mm combinations.

Depends on the TV I guess! Some might conveniently 'double' the audio to both speakers if only left is connected for instance, but usually when the TV has RCA L/R audio jacks inputs. Worth trying some combinations though.

 

Edit: I was on your description that the audio input on your TV is a female stereo 3.5mm jack.

 

Edit 2: or are you trying to use an external set of speakers normally designed to connect to a PC's 3.5mm stereo output?

[donjn]

Here is my collection of cables:

 

[+DavidMil]

I'm curious; Are you using external speakers or are the speakers built into the monitor?

 

DavidMil

 

PS. I have the same cable that I bought from 8tbit Classics, and red and white on my set are

connected (at least the ohm out at less than one ohm). DM

Edited April 4, 2019 by DavidMil

[donjn]

Okay I might not be explaining. Below is a picture. On the left side is the Atari 800XL cable.

 

When the red cable is plugged into a speaker system I get massive feedback and noise.

When the white cable is plugged into a speaker system I can only get audio from the left speaker.

 

I don't I need stereo but I do want to hear sounds from both speakers.

 

So I want to make use of the white RCA plug (which only has sound on the left side) and have it plug into the 3.5mm you see on the right side and produce sound in both speakers..

 

[+kheller2]

Here is my collection of cables:

 

Center cable: female stereo rca to female 3.5 stereo ? If yes then you just need a mono female rca to stereo male rca splitter. Done.

 

You can test that cable now by plugging the white Atari cable into each line on the center cable to see if the sound comes out one speaker then the other

[donjn]

I'm curious; Are you using external speakers or are the speakers built into the monitor?

 

DavidMil

External speakers.

 

When I use the speakers built into the CRT (via white) it is not so bad at all. I assume because my TV/VCR is a mono TV.

[donjn]

Bottom cable center: is that a male RCA stereo to male 3.5 stereo ? If yes then You need a mono female RCA to stereo female RCA splitter. Done.

 

Yes it is. So get this? https://www.amazon.com/Female-Splitter-Audio-Adapter-Gold-Plated/dp/B00IJU0WS8

 

And use my RCA female to female adapter? Upper right center?

Edited April 4, 2019 by donjn

[+Nezgar]

If you're trying to connect computer style speakers....

 

First the cable to split the 1 RCA to 2

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312251786406/

 

Then this gives you the combined stereo on a female 3.5mm jack:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303116098950

 

Maybe you have a combination to achieve that...

[+kheller2]

Yes it is. So get this? https://www.amazon.com/Female-Splitter-Audio-Adapter-Gold-Plated/dp/B00IJU0WS8

 

And use my RCA female to female adapter? Upper right center?

Seem my update to the post.