Knowing the fundamentals of audio connectors are essential in selecting the right cables for your audio equipment and musical instruments.
This post will explain briefly the most common audio connectors in professional studio and stage equipment, such as guitars, microphones, amplifiers, active/passive speakers, mixers, audio interfaces, effects and sound processors.
6.35mm (or 1/4 inch) TS connector
TS stands for Tip and Sleeve, which are the connecting parts of this connector
6.35mm or 1/4 inch is the outer diameter of the tip and sleeve
Also known as PL55 connector
Tip is the signal or (+) positive line, and Sleeve is the ground or (-) negative line
Mono and unbalanced cabling
Commonly used for guitar/instrument cables and mixing console unbalanced line inputs
1/4 inch TRS or 6.35mm TRS connector
TRS stands for Tip, Ring and Sleeve, which are the connecting parts of this connector
6.35mm or 1/4 inch is the outer diameter of the tip, ring and sleeve
Tip is (+) positive or hot signal, Ring is (-) negative or cold signal and Sleeve is ground/shield
Mono and balanced cables
Commonly used for interconnecting balanced audio equipment
When used as stereo headphone plug, use Tip = left channel, Ring = right channel and Sleeve = ground
3.5mm TRS connector
TRS stands for Tip, Ring and Sleeve, which are the connecting parts of this connector
3.5mm is the outer diameter of the tip, ring and sleeve
Tip = left channel, Ring = right channel and Sleeve = ground
Commonly used as headphone stereo plug and auxiliary cable
XLR connector
XLR stands for External Line Return
XLR has 3 pin connections using 1, 2 and 3 as pin numbers
1 = ground/shield, 2 = hot or (+) positive line and 3 = (-) cold or negative line
This connector has interlocking system
Commonly used for interconnecting balanced audio equipment and microphone cable
XLR cable has one male and female on each ends, which capable to extend the length with another XLR cable
RCA connector
Also called as RCA phono connector or phono connector. "RCA" stands for Radio Corporation of America, the company who designed the connector. Cables with RCA are usually sold in pair, for left and right channel of stereo equipment.
RCA is commonly used to interconnect unbalanced equipment, especially in home theater audio. Examples are turntables, A/V receivers, home amplifiers, home speakers and equalizers. In modern pro-audio equipment, RCA is only present in mixers and audio interfaces as line input or sometimes as monitor output for small-packaged mixers.
3-Pole Female Jacks
These are the female counterpart of 6.35mm and 3.5mm TRS plugs, available in both sizes.
Commonly used as extension cable with TRS plug at one end
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