XLR CONNECTOR HOW TO
XLR CONNECTOR PRO
XLR CONNECTOR PLUS

Crosstalk: This happens when one signal on the same system crosses to another.This creates buzz, hum, and can even carry audible radio signals if you are positioned too close to an AM transmitter. EMI and RFI: Transformers, motors, and high-frequency electronics can create magnetic fields that induce a current in your audio wires.

Ground loops happen when audio takes two different paths to get to the amplifier: one path through your audio cable and a second path through your building’s wiring. Mostly, you’ll hear this as a low hum, although it can also manifest as static or irregular buzzing sounds.

XLR CONNECTOR PRO

Ground loop noise: In my 35 years of experience with pro audio and video systems, this is the most common and annoying issue, especially when computers are involved.

This creates an opportunity for several different types of noise to enter an audio signal chain: The problem is that most audio systems treat the circuit as if there’s only one wire, usually the center conductor in a piece of coaxial cable, and they merely combine the other wire with all of the other electronics in the system. A microphone pushes electrons onto one side of the cable, the electrons are passed to an amplifier, and then back to the other side of the microphone. Audio isn’t any different: you need the positive and negative sides of an audio signal for anything to happen. The electrons must make a complete loop from the battery’s negative pole, through the wire, through the light, and back to the battery again. You need both the positive and negative connections to make the bulb light up. When you only hook one side of the battery to your flashlight’s bulb, nothing happens.

XLR CONNECTOR PLUS

This being provided, a 5-pin XLR cable is perfect for stereo signals.If you’ve ever changed the batteries in your flashlight, you have probably noticed that there’s a plus (+) and a minus (-) side to the battery. Of course you will also need a cable with four conductors and a screen. The pins are always numbered and are connected as follows: In fact there are such things as 5-pin XLR connectors. So the recommendation is really not to use XLR connectors for stereo signals, unless it is for a special one-off purpose where the lack of balancing doesn't matter, and the convenience factor outweighs anything else. This arrangement actually works very well for headphones - better than jacks for this purpose in the studio.

You can share the earth between the two channels with no problem. So if you did want to use an XLR cable for stereo, then you would have to run unbalanced signals. Balanced signals reject interference better than unbalanced signals.

This requires two conductors for the signal, plus the earth. The reason why it is not ideal is that the XLR connector, also the cable to which it is attached, is designed to carry a balanced signal. Well you can do this, but it's not ideal. After all, it would halve the number of cables, wouldn't it? So you might wonder whether you could possibly run a stereo signal along one cable. If you look at a typical XLR connector, you will see three pins or sockets, depending on whether it is a male or female connector. Doubtless modern science and technology could find a better solution, but the XLR doesn't have many problems, and you can use equipment with XLR connectors anywhere. The XLR connector is one of the great successes of audio. So is this a good idea, or is there a better solution?

XLR CONNECTOR HOW TO

Learn how to become a better producer in your own home recording studio >Ī typical XLR connector has enough pins to carry a stereo signal.

Xlr connector