Filter
Top Products
MGP16X/MGP12X Owner’s Manual
6
Making the Most of Your Mixer
Balanced Cables and Unbal-
anced Cables
Two types of cables can be used to connect microphones, elec-
tronic instruments, and other audio sources to the mixer’s inputs,
as well as to connect the mixer’s outputs to a power amplifier or
related gear: balanced or unbalanced.
Balanced cables are highly resistant to noise, and are the best
choice for low-level signals such as the output from microphones,
as well as for long cable runs. Unbalanced cables are generally
used for short runs from line-level sources such as synthesizers.
Cable Guidelines
Connector Types
XLR connectors
This 3-pin connector is resistant to externally induced noise, and
is used primarily for balanced connections. With properly
designed receiving circuitry, cables with this type of connector
can also be used for unbalanced signals. XLR type connectors are
the standard for microphone connections as well as most profes-
sional audio gear.
Phone jacks
Phone jacks are available in mono and stereo versions. Stereo
types are also known as “TRS” connectors (Tip-Ring-Sleeve),
and are used for stereo headphone jacks, insert jacks, and also to
carry balanced signals in many cases. Unbalanced types are used
for mono signals -guitar cables are a common example.
RCA Pin Connectors
This type of unbalanced connector is most commonly found on
home audio and video equipment. RCA type pin jacks are often
color coded: white for left audio channel and red for right audio
channel, for example.
Microphones Balanced is best.
Short line-level cables
Unbalanced cable is fine in a rela-
tively noise-free environment.
Long line-level cables Balanced is best.
Male
Female
Stereo/TRS phone plug
Mono phone plug
White
Red