Xlr Cables

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Xlr Connector

Nobody likes to hear horrible crackling sounds when they are listening to an audio recording and as you can imagine, this is even worse when you are a professional recorder in a high-tech studio. Luckily for the professionals, if they have the money, they can invest in better equipment and cables that make audio transmission smoother with less interference. One such cable is known as the XLR connector and it is commonly used in professional audio recordings because of the high-quality performance it puts out.
The precise purpose of an XLR connect is to actually deliver a crisp and balanced recording over a longer distance, with less electrical interference ruining the final copy. The end result is a smooth recording that is preserved despite the fact that the cable has traveled a longer distance, possibly alongside other electrical cables that may ruin the transmission with other, less expensive cables.
It should also be noted that these connectors are not usually seen in the home/amateur environment. In that environment, RCA connectors are primarily used.

Different XLR Connectors

The original XLR connector was designed and made by Cannon. The XLR got its name through the pinouts of the connector but because the future versions of the Cannon series began to add a latch and a rubber compound which surrounded the contacts. The actual pinout structure actually changes between each connector – it doesn’t have to remain with the standard three.
The purpose of the XLR range remains the same – they are all designed for digital equipment (more or less). The 3-pin variation of the connector is pretty much universally used as a connector for audio equipment to produce a balanced transmission from microphones during recording sessions. The 4-pin variation is mainly used for intercom headsets and handsets, as well as some old AMX lighting control equipment. The 5-pin variations is another connector that is used for digital lighting controls and has also been seen to be used in dual-channel intercom headsets, as well as dual-element microphones during recording. There is a 6-pin addition which is rarely used but when it is it can be found in beltpacks.
Of course, there are a lot of other variations of the XLR connector and they all vary in the number of pinpoints and uses. The most commonly used variations are the 3-pin variations of the connector, which (as has been already stated) can be used in digital recordings for more balanced audio.

Balanced and Unbalanced Cables

XLR connectors come under the balanced cable category because they allow for a balanced audio transmission over a longer distance. There are two types of cable: balanced and unbalanced. They will be briefly explained below:
Unbalanced – These are cables that can suffer from interference when a signal is begin ran through it. They normally contain two wires, with one carrying the signal and one acting as the ground wire. They are known to receive interference from surround equipment and are normally used at shorter distances. This also makes them a cheaper cable.
Balanced – This involves the XRL connector and they consist of three wires: a positive, negative and a ground wire. The two active wires carry the signals but because they are polarized any interference is removed when they travel past electrical equipment. This makes them suitable for longer distances but also makes them more expensive.