SOURCE/LOAD

CABLES AND CONNECTORS • When you connect two devices, one is the Source and
one is the Load.

• Source - The device that puts out a signal.

• Load - The receiving device.

Cables and Connectors 4 Basic Cable Types:

• A basic job skill in the Straight
audio and video Twisted Pair
Pair
production industry is
being able to identify
the common cable and
connector types. Fiber Optic
Coax

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 THE ANALOG CONNECTION BALANCED CABLES
1/4 inch Analog Plugs
• Mono/TS - Tip Sleeve. Sends signal through only one • Balanced Cables - A balanced cord will not create
channel. Instrument cords (Unbalanced) and speaker
noise. Two signals are sent, one is out of phase with
cords. Can carry more current (power). Keep under
the other (180 degrees opposite). The waveforms are
12 feet and away from power conductors.
flipped and added to the other, when this happens,
any noise built up is cancelled out.
• Stereo/TRS- Tip Ring Sleeve. Signal has two
portions, right and left channel. Right channel usually
wired to the ring. Left channel usually connected to
the tip. The shield is usually wired to the sleeve.

• These are Twisted Pairs

Straight Pair Cable: Twisted Pair Cable:

Speaker Cable Microphone Cable

Single Channel

Multiple Channel Cable

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Fiber Optic Cables: Connector Types:
Optical Digital Audio Cable

Video Audio

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Connector Gender Notes: Video Connectors: RCA

A MALE connector is also referred to as a RCA Female
RCA Male
PLUG.
“MALE” = “PLUGS”

A FEMALE connector is also referred to as a

JACK.
“FEMALE” = “JACKS” The RCA connector is used for amateur
and “Prosumer” video signals. The RCA
is also used in audio. Used for
Unbalanced signals. Keep runs short.
These words are interchangeable.
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Video Adapters: Video Adapters:

An adapter is a small two sided RCA Male to S-Video Female Adapter

connector that coverts one type of
connector to another. They are also
referred to as “Inter-series adapters”.

RCA Female to BNC Male

Adapter

Some adapters actually convert one signal type into

something else. This adapter coverts a “Y/C” signal
into a “composite” video signal.

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Video Adapters: Audio Connectors: RCA

RCA Female
RCA Female Barrel (or Gender Changer) RCA Male

The RCA connector is used for line level

audio signals. The RCA is also used for
consumer video. Also called Phono
plugs.
There are numerous Adapters and Gender Changers.

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Audio Connectors: !” Mono Audio Connectors: !” Stereo
!” Male !” Female !” Male !” Female
Mono Mono Stereo Stereo

The !” connector is used for headphones, The !” (Quarter Inch) connector is used for headphones,
microphones, and other signals. The mono microphones, and other signals. The stereo version is also
version is also called “TS” for “Tip/Sleeve”. called “TRS” for “Tip/Ring/Sleeve”.

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Audio Connectors: XLR XLR

XLR Male XLR Female
XLR Male XLR Female

• XLR audio cables are also balanced, thus reducing

The XLR connector is primarily used for professional noise. They can be used as a line level cable from
microphones and balanced microphone level signals. The balanced in/outs. They can also run long distances
locking mechanism helps make good electrical connections. without losing signal. One end is male, one female.
Most microphones use XLR inputs.

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Audio Connectors: 1/8” Mini’s Audio Adapters:
Mini Male Mini Female
Stereo Stereo Again, an adapter is a small two sided
connector that coverts one type of
connector to another.

Mini Female Mono XLR Female to TRS (1/4” stereo) Male

Mini Male Mono Adapter

The 1/8” (one eighth Inch) connector, or Mini, is used for

headphones, consumer microphones, and other signals.

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Audio Adapters: Audio Adapters:

1/4”Male to XLR Female

RCA Female to TS (1/4” mono) Male Adapter
Impedance Matching Transformer

There are numerous Adapters and Gender

Changers.

Some adapters actually covert one signal type into

something else. This adapter coverts a Balanced Low
Impedance audio signal to an Unbalanced High Impedance
audio signal. This lets you use a professional microphone
with consumer microphone inputs.

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 COMBO JACK

• Combo Jack will accommodate both XLR and 1/4”