# Audio quality

**URL:** <https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/audio-quality/19919>\
**Category:** Nano Cortex\
**Created:** [October 28, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/audio-quality/19919 "2025-10-28T03:08:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AerialEnvoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4491bb/32.png) [@AerialEnvoy](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/AerialEnvoy)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/audio-quality/19919/1 "2025-10-28T03:08:39Z")

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Ive noticed the audio quality is much better with the headphone out than it is with the 1/4 inch output on the Nano Cortex. Why is this? If I output from the NC using the 1/4 inch to a mix desk at a venue will it sound like s\*\*t?

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**Author:** ![DiffractionCircuit](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/diffractioncircuit/32/3793_2.png) [@DiffractionCircuit](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/DiffractionCircuit)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/audio-quality/19919/3 "2025-10-28T21:37:48Z")

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Digital Modelers 101 lesson: Listening environment matters.

What sounds good in your headphones isn’t going to translate the same way when it’s sent to a mix desk. Always test your gig sounds at gig volume.

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**Author:** ![AerialEnvoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4491bb/32.png) [@AerialEnvoy](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/AerialEnvoy)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/audio-quality/19919/4 "2025-11-01T23:30:17Z")

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That makes total sense. Thanks!

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**Author:** ![FitoGuitar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/85e7bf/32.png) [@FitoGuitar](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/FitoGuitar)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 8:16am UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/audio-quality/19919/5 "2025-11-04T08:16:01Z")

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Have you tried using a TRS cable? In my case, I’ve noticed a big improvement in sound quality when I use a TRS cable instead of a mono jack.

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**Author:** ![hosko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a6a055/32.png) [@hosko](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/hosko)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 7:40am UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/audio-quality/19919/6 "2025-11-08T07:40:29Z")

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A TRS cable will reduce noise due to being balanced audio but it won’t improve the quality.

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**Author:** ![FitoGuitar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/85e7bf/32.png) [@FitoGuitar](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/FitoGuitar)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 8:51am UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/audio-quality/19919/7 "2025-11-08T08:51:54Z")

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I’m not an expert, but I tested it directly with an FRFR speaker, and the sound is much more powerful with a TRS cable.

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**Author:** ![AerialEnvoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4491bb/32.png) [@AerialEnvoy](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/AerialEnvoy)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 3:48pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/audio-quality/19919/8 "2025-11-08T15:48:05Z")

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Thanks all. I think I can close this thread now. Getting better results after swapping out a cable.

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**Author:** ![MP\_Mod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@MP\_Mod](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/MP_Mod)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/audio-quality/19919/9 "2025-11-08T17:24:00Z")

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