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An analog audio cable carries an electrical audio signal between devices. Choose one by matching the connectors and wiring each device supports—not by plug shape alone. In particular, a three-contact TRS plug can carry either balanced mono audio or unbalanced stereo audio.
What an analog audio cable does
An analog audio cable carries an audio signal as a continuously varying electrical signal between equipment, such as a microphone and mixer or a player and amplifier. A digital connection, by contrast, carries encoded data. The connector type and wiring determine how an analog signal is carried; the cable does not make incompatible devices or signal levels compatible.
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Balanced and unbalanced connections
Unbalanced wiring
An unbalanced connection typically uses one conductor for the signal and the shield as its return path. TS and RCA connections are common examples. RCA is widely used for consumer audio. See Focusrite’s overview of analog connections.
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Balanced wiring
A balanced connection carries audio on two signal conductors plus a shield. When both the source and receiving equipment support balanced connections, the receiver can reject noise common to the two signal conductors. Balanced wiring is useful where interference is a concern, but a balanced cable alone cannot provide the benefit if the equipment at either end does not support balanced audio. Focusrite explains the distinction in its article on balanced and unbalanced audio, updated 9 October 2024.
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Common analog audio connectors
| Connector | Typical use | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| XLR | Three-pin XLR is widely used for balanced audio; microphones commonly connect to mixers with an XLR cable. | Confirm the equipment’s connector and intended signal. A common microphone-to-mixer cable is XLR female-to-male. |
| TRS | May carry balanced mono audio or unbalanced stereo audio, including headphone signals. | Three contacts do not establish that a connection is balanced. Check the port’s function in the equipment documentation. |
| TS | Commonly used for unbalanced instrument and line connections. | Verify that the source and destination expect the same connection type and signal. |
| RCA | Commonly used for unbalanced consumer audio. | Match the connectors and the intended input and output. |
These are typical uses, not guarantees about every port. Focusrite describes connector wiring in its analog connection guide; Harman’s EON700 user guide gives practical cable examples.
Connector compatibility is not signal-level compatibility
Even if a cable fits, the signal from the source must suit the destination input. Microphone, line, instrument, headphone, and speaker signals have different requirements. Input specifications vary by product, so use the manuals for the exact devices rather than applying one product’s figures to all equipment. Focusrite’s guide to mic, line, and instrument level provides product-family examples and warns that speaker-level signals can damage inputs designed for lower-level signals.
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How to choose the right cable
- Identify the source output and destination input. Check their manuals or port labels for connector type and intended use.
- Match the connector at both ends. For example, a compatible microphone-to-mixer connection commonly uses an XLR female-to-male cable; consumer audio equipment commonly uses RCA.
- Confirm the wiring. Use a balanced cable when both devices support balanced audio. For TRS, verify whether the ports use balanced mono or unbalanced stereo wiring.
- Check signal level and input requirements. Make sure the destination accepts the source’s signal type; never connect a speaker-level output to a lower-level input unless the equipment documentation specifically supports that connection.
- Consider the installation. If the cable will run through an environment where interference is a concern, balanced connections can help only when supported at both ends. The sources do not establish a universal maximum cable length, so follow the equipment makers’ guidance for the specific setup.
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