SparkFun THAT 1206 InGenius Breakout

The SparkFun THAT 1206 InGenius Breakout Board offers an easy solution to adding a balanced audio input to your circuits. The THAT InGenius technology has been designed for high-grade analog line receiving and offers a low distortion and high common mode rejection in real-world audio applications. Each breakout board combines the THAT 1206 IC, its supporting components, and a ¼" TRS (Tip Ring Sleeve) socket. With these powers combined, you will find it very easy to use the input drivers on breadboards and in projects!

The THAT 1206 InGenius Breakout and its sibling, the THAT 1646 OutSmarts Breakout, perform mirror-image signal conversion. While the OutSmarts is an unbalanced-to-balanced output driver, this InGenius is a balanced-to-unbalanced input receiver. We have made sure to break out each pin you need to utilize the InGenius board, including the unbalanced output (OUT), the positive and negative power supply rails (V+, V-) and, of course, ground (GND). Additionally, adjacent to each leg of the socket are test points for the signal (T, R, S) and normal (TN, RN, SN) contacts.

SparkFun THAT 1206 InGenius Breakout Product Help and Resources

THAT InGenius and OutSmarts Breakout Hookup Guide

March 30, 2017

Learn about the benefits of balanced signal transmission, and how to apply the THAT InGenius and OutSmarts breakouts.

Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

1 Soldering

Skill Level: Noob - Some basic soldering is required, but it is limited to a just a few pins, basic through-hole soldering, and couple (if any) polarized components. A basic soldering iron is all you should need.
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Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

2 Programming

Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

2 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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  • Madbodger / about 7 years ago / 1

    It would have been handy to route CMout to a pin as well. I think there's an error in the schematic, which says when mounting in a metal chassis to connect J3 to the chassis with a heavy wire. I think that should read J9.

    • Byron J. / about 7 years ago / 1

      Good catch.

      I fixed the schematic note, and pushed it to the GitHub repo. I don't have write access to the file linked above, though.

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5

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Worked well for me.

This worked well to receive a balanced pro-line level input from a mixer into an old re-purposed Sony consumer audio amp. It is nice and quiet, and just worked, no problem!

Great addition to any modular synth

I read about this in SoundonSound magazine and immediately ordered. Adding a pair of these to my Synthesizers.com synth was easy and gave me balanced inputs for audio processing loveliness - making integration with a DAW much better. Very easy to use, worked first time and performs perfectly

Very nice board

Have not had the opportunity to use these yet but are for future projects.I will update if any problems occur. Was going to build this circuit but found these boards by happenstance so the convenience of prebuilt is great. All in one place documentation, specifications and videos are useful tools for us experimenters. Sparkfun seems to be a good American company. I really like that. Keep these 1206 and 1646 in stock because I will be needing more down the road.