Cables are a critical component of any audio system. There are mainly two types of audio cables available in the market; balanced (two signal wires and a ground wire) and unbalanced (one signal wire and one ground wire). Signals in all types of wires are conveyed by the combination of voltage and current. Reducing analog audio noise is an issue primarily with longer cables, or in professional/broadcast or preservation environments, so those systems use balanced signals for that.
Here is a video collection on audio cables. They describe basic components of audio cables, types and how it affects the audio signal. The videos are concentrated on cables used to carry analogue audio signals.
Basic Guide to Common Cables | 2 Minute Tech Tips
Understanding Audio Cables & Connectors
How to make-wire SpeakON cables for PA speakers
Using Audio Adapters | The 5 things you must know
INTERFACE – Tips Tricks and How-To – Audio Cables and Connections
#003 Soldering Tutorial – How to make pro grade cables!
Rolling microphone cables correctly
Balanced Audio vs. Unbalanced Audio Signals – Understanding how they work.
Stage Left Audio – Snake Splitter
3 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to connect XLR cables to Phoenix-style connectors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx4a6YC1jyA
Commercial audio amplifiers use different connections than those you would use at home, so it may be necessary to modify existing cables to match. Fortunately, this is a straightforward process that our expert lays out in this video.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to Solder XLR Connections to make a new XLR cable
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS1gZ7zbvsM
Did you bust an XLR cable? Need to make a new one? Here’s a demonstration on how you can solder new XLR heads on an XLR cable.
#003 Soldering Tutorial – How to make pro grade cables!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUNgd6kZW0s
Learn how to make your own cables like the pros. This is an extended, in depth tutorial – not for those with a short attention span. Set aside some time, sit down with me, and learn the art of making cables… the proper way.
suny says:
Nice article