Topmusicanswers
Four-pin (XLR4) Four-pin XLR connectors are used in a variety of applications. They are the standard connector for intercom headsets, such as systems made by ClearCom and Telex. Two pins are used for the mono headphone signal and two pins for the unbalanced microphone signal.
- Can XLR be mono?
- Are XLR connectors stereo or mono?
- What is XLR cable used for?
- Why do XLR cables have 3 pins?
Can XLR be mono?
XLR cables are primarily designed to carry a balanced mono signal. These cables are designed to transmit one independent audio signal, which is duplicated in opposite polarity. Due to this, balanced signals are able to reject sound interference better than unbalanced signals.
Are XLR connectors stereo or mono?
Here's a short answer for you: A 3-pin XLR cable (XLR3) can be used as balanced mono or unbalanced stereo. For most microphones, it is used as balanced mono. However, there are different variations of XLR cables with a different number of pins.
What is XLR cable used for?
XLR connectors are 3-pin connectors: positive, negative, and ground. They are usually used for transmitting microphone or balanced line-level signals. In audio, you will typically see XLR cables connecting microphones to mixers and connecting various outputs to powered speakers.
Why do XLR cables have 3 pins?
Not all mics use XLR. However, many professional microphones connect via 3-pin XLR cables because XLR carries balanced audio and connects the ground-pin first. Balanced audio provides clean audio transfer across long cable lengths, and a ground-pin-first connection protects mics from electrical damage.
