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1988-06-09
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58 lines
Audio Connectors
Their Care and Feeding
The following inforamtion is 'freeware" and may be copied freely, however if
reproduced and distributed, no charge may be affixed for this information.
This disclaimer must appear with
all reproductions, in any medium, of this material.
(C) 1988 MFPS
There is an old adage in the industry that if there is a problem, eight times
out of ten, it is in a cable somewhere. Much of these problems are oftem
linked to the devices used to get the signal in and out of the equipment.
Here is an overview of the common audio connectors, their use and proper
wiring. Formated for 80 Col. printout. Filed under AUDIO1.DOC, AUDIO2.DOC...
The XLR Connector
The single standard of the professional audio world, the XLR
connector is used in a large range of applications, from microphone signals to
speaker signals. The XLR connector is designed for use in BALANCED systems.
(See File AUDBAL.DOC for more about Balanced Systems vs Unbalanced sytems) The
XLR connector is virtually indestructable, but problems do occur. First, you
should check the wiring. Here is the standard (USA) wiring protocol for the
XLR connector:
PIN 1 ----- Sheild (Uninsulated Conductor)
PIN 2 ----- Signal + (Usually the lighter color wire)
PIN 3 ----- Signal - (Usually the darker color wire)
When wiring these connectors, be sure to look closely for stray wires that
might cause a short circut, and cause the line to go dead. If possible, use
heat shrink tubing to protect each of the three terminals.
Very often with the XLR connector, you will find a fourth, large tab inside
with the other terminals. This is the CASE GROUND. It is used to connect the
metal jacket of the connector to the sheild wire, causing a common electrical
connection to be made between pieces of equipment in your system. When using
your XLR cable only for microphones, it is advisable to connect the sheild
wire to this tab as well as to pin 1. If you plan on using the XLR cable for
Clear-Com, RTS or other similar intercom systems, or as remote control for
strobe lights, color scrollers, anything but an audio signal, DO NOT CONNECT
the case ground. This is because in some of these systems, a voltage can be
introduced into the audio system via the intercom hookups, causing hum and
possible operator shocks (not too dangerous, but not much fun either).
This information has been extracted from
"Demystifying Connections"
For a copy of the full text, which includes diagrams and drawings,
send $4.50, check or money order payable to Marty Focazio
(US Funds Please!) to:
Connection
86 Carnation Rd.
Levittown, New York
11756