Different Types Of Audio Cables: What And Where They Are Used
Even though wireless audio is gradually replacing wires in the single-user market (especially with the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack on some popular mobile devices), you need to use a dedicated audio cable to transmit/receive audio signals in several situations or applications. Whether it’s a sound home theater system, a simple home recording studio, or a professional studio, audio cables are an integral part of the audio playback and recording industry.
In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at some of the popular types of audio cables we encounter in our homes and recording studios.
Different Types Of Audio Cables For Different Applications
You don’t have to be an audiophile to know that there are different types of audio cables for different applications. You need professional-grade audio cables if you’re creating content or recording music in the studio.
But if you bought a new multi-channel surround sound system for your home theater, you’ll likely need to work with a different cable type.
Another important factor is the type of sound you are trying to reproduce/record, i.e., analog or digital audio. Specific analog and digital audio cables will transfer the appropriate signals without any problems.
If you are working with instruments (guitars, keyboards, etc.), choose the appropriate instrument cable, not an acoustic cable (yes, they are slightly different).
Types Of Audio Cables
Let’s take a look at the different types of audio cables. Below is a list of some popular types of audio cables.
TS (unbalanced) cables
TRS (balanced) cables
XLR audio cables
RCA cables
MIDI cables
Speakon cables
Speaker cables
S/PDIF Cables
USB cables
HDMI cable
Let’s discuss some of them.
XLR Audio Cables
Perhaps the most popular audio cable is the XLR. It has a bulky three-pin connector that is almost always used as a balanced cable. As a result, XLR cables can be used over long distances without fear of distortion, noise, or interference.
Most professional-grade microphones, speakers, instruments, PA systems, and stage lighting (DMX Lighting) use XLR connectors and cables. These cables are popular for stage shows, concerts, and professional studios, whether you need a short cable (less than 2 meters) or a relatively large cable (more than 15 meters) to connect to your equipment.
Many popular cable manufacturers also produce XLR to TS and XLR TRS (3.5mm), and XLR to RCA adapters for connecting various instruments, devices and equipment.
TS Unbalanced Cables
Tip/Sleeve Cable, also known as TS Cable, is a common choice of instrument cable for guitars, keyboards, etc. It is an unbalanced cable as it only has two conductors.
As a result, most TS cables are only suitable for connecting monophonic instruments over short distances. Some popular instruments that use TS cables are guitars, drum machines, effects pedals, and other unbalanced instruments.
Using TS cables, we usually connect these instruments to mixers, amplifiers, and other audio interfaces. Some popular TS cable connector sizes are 1/4 inch for instruments (large 6.3 mm jack) and 1/8 inch (3.5 mm mini-jack) for headphones.
TRS Balanced Cables
A TRS cable is very similar to a TS cable except that it has an extra ring. TRS stands for Tip, Ring, Sleeve Cable. Depending on the application, we can use a TRS cable as a balanced or unbalanced cable.
We can use the tip, ring, and sleeve to carry positive, negative, and ground signals with a monophonic instrument/device for balanced signals. In case of an unbalanced connection, we can configure it to carry a 2-channel stereo sound for left and right channels.
Some typical applications for TRS cables are headphones, mixer headphone outputs, and studio monitors. They are available in standard 1/8-inch or 3.5-mm sizes.
