APPENDIX C: Connectors
“XLR” CONNECTORS
Mackie amplifiers use
SHIELD 2
HOT
COLD 3 1
SHIELD 1
COLD 3 2
HOT
1SHIELD
3COLD
•Balanced mono circuits. When wired as a balanced connector, a 1⁄4" TRS jack or plug is connected tip to signal high (hot), ring to sig- nal low (cold), and sleeve to ground (earth). This is the application used for the inputs to Mackie amplifiers.
1⁄4" TS PHONE PLUGS AND JACKS
“TS” stands for
• | Unbalanced microphones |
• | Electric guitars and electronic |
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Figure A: XLR Connectors
HOT
instruments |
• Unbalanced |
connections |
accord with the hallowed standards dictated by the AES (Audio Engineering Society).
Use a male
SLEEVE | SLEEVE | TIP |
TIP
TIP (HOT)
SLEEVE (SHIELD)
Figure C: TS Plug
1⁄4" TRS PHONE PLUGS AND JACKS
“TRS” stands for
RING SLEEVE | SLEEVE RING TIP |
| TIP |
| RING (COLD) |
| TIP (HOT) |
Figure B: 1⁄4" TRS Plugs | SLEEVE (SHIELD) |
|
•Stereo Headphones, stereo microphones and stereo line connections. When wired for stereo, a 1⁄4" TRS jack or plug is connected tip to left, ring to right and sleeve to ground (earth).
•Unbalanced Send/Return circuits. When wired as a send/return “Y” connector, a 1⁄4" TRS jack or plug is connected tip to signal send (output from mixer), ring to signal return (input back into mixer), and sleeve to ground (earth).
UNBALANCING A LINE
In most studio, stage, and sound reinforce- ment situations, there is a combination of balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs on the various pieces of equipment. This usually will not be a problem in making connections.
•When connecting a balanced output to an unbalanced input, be sure the signal high (hot) connections are wired to each other, and that the balanced signal low (cold) goes to the ground (earth) connection at the unbalanced input. In most cases, the balanced ground will also be connected to the ground at the unbal- anced input. If there are
•When connecting an unbalanced output to a balanced input, be sure that the signal high (hot) connections are wired to each
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