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02 - Cables and Connectors

The document discusses various types of connectors used in sound reinforcement systems, including XLR, 1/4 inch jack, RCA, Speakon, and PowerCon connectors. It also covers balanced vs unbalanced cables, multicores, looms, and balanced inserts. The key information provided includes the uses and characteristics of different connector types, how balanced cables reduce noise over long distances, and how multicores and looms help efficiently route multiple audio and power signals.

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Travis Don
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
12 views

02 - Cables and Connectors

The document discusses various types of connectors used in sound reinforcement systems, including XLR, 1/4 inch jack, RCA, Speakon, and PowerCon connectors. It also covers balanced vs unbalanced cables, multicores, looms, and balanced inserts. The key information provided includes the uses and characteristics of different connector types, how balanced cables reduce noise over long distances, and how multicores and looms help efficiently route multiple audio and power signals.

Uploaded by

Travis Don
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Provide

 Sound  Reinforcement  
CUSSOU301A  
 
Cables  and  Connectors  
Types  of  Connectors  

The  following  slides  will  show  various  


types  of  connectors  that  you  may  come  
across  when  se?ng  up  a  sound  
reinforcement  system.  
Balanced  XLR  Connector  
• Commonly  known  as  a  microphone  or  cannon  connector.  
 
• 3  pin,  with  a  male  and  female  connector.  
 
• Used  to  connect  microphones  DI’s  to  the  console,  and  to  connect  
the  outputs  from  the  console  to  an  amplifier  or  powered  speakers.    

Female  Connector   Male  Connector  


¼  Inch  (6.5mm)  Jack  Connector  
• 2  common  types:  
Ø Balanced  (Stereo)  –  Tip,  ring  and  sleeve  configuraVon  (TRS)  
Ø Unbalanced  (Mono)  –  Tip  and  ring  (TS)  
 
• Common  uses:  
Ø Balanced  –  connecVng  effects  units  or  inserts  (balanced  equipment)  
Ø Unbalanced  –  Instruments,  eg.  Guitar,  keyboards  etc.  
 

Balanced  Connector   Unbalanced  Connector  


RCA  Connector  
• Commonly  used  for  external  music  sources,  eg.  CD  player/iPod.  
 
• Also  known  as  coaxial  connectors,  used  for  digital  connecVons  also  
(S/PDIF).  
 
• Combined  with  3.5mm  jack  connector  to  connect  to  iPod/Computer.  

RCA  Stereo  Connector  

3.5mm  Connector  
Speakon  Connectors  
• Designed  to  carry  high  current  signal,  and  are  fully  shielded  to  avoid  
electrical  shock.    They  are  used  to  connect  amplifiers  to  loudspeakers.  
 
• Lock  into  place  with  a  twisVng  moVon,  making  accidental  disconnecVon  
less  likely.  
 
• Made  in  a  2,  4  and  8  pole  configuraVon.  (4  being  most  common)  
PowerCon  Connectors  
• Used  to  connect  mains  power  to  equipment.    Can  carry  double  the  current  of  a  
common  IEC  cable.  
 
• Like  the  speakon  connector,  they  lock  into  place  with  a  twisVng  moVon,  making  
accidental  disconnecVon  less  likely.  
 
• 2  connector  types,  one  for  power  outlets,  one  for  power  inlets.    Connectors  are  
deliberately  not  compaVble  to  avoid  incorrect  connecVons.  
IEC  Connectors  
• Used  to  connect  power  to  many  types  of  electrical  equipment  including  
computers  and  audio  equipment.    
 
• Commonly  known  as  a  “kecle”  lead.  
 
• Interchangeable  between  equipment,  making  replacement  easy  and  cost  
effecVve.    

IEC  Plug   IEC  Socket  


Balanced  Vs.  Unbalanced  Cable  
• Balanced  –  2  wires  with  a  shielding  wire  braid  
Ø Uses  –  Microphone  cable,  MulVcores,  Effects  units  
 
• Unbalanced  –  1  wire  with  a  shielding  wire  braid  
Ø Uses  –  Instrument  cables,  eg.  Guitar  and  keyboards  
 
• Balanced  cables  are  able  to  run  longer  distances  without  inducing  noise.    
This  is  due  to  the  cancelling  effect  of  the  two  wires  inside  the  cable  being  
not  only  shielded,  but  180  degrees  out  of  phase.    This  will  mean  that  any  
noise  is  either  sent  straight  to  ground,  or  cancelled  at  the  balanced  input  
of  the  mixer.  
 
• Unbalanced  cables  work  for  instruments  as  they  only  run  short  distances.    
DI  boxes  are  used  to  convert  instruments  such  as  bass  guitar  from  
unbalanced  to  balanced  when  an  amp  is  not  being  used.  
MulVcores  
• A  mulVcore  is  a  collecVon  of  individually  shielded  mulVple  pairs  of  
cables,  which  are  packaged  together  as  one  large  cable.    This  allows  
mulVple  signals  to  be  sent  from  the  stage  to  the  mixing  console,  
without  having  to  run  separate  microphone  leads.  
 
• The  stage  end  of  the  mulVcore  has  a  “stage  box”,  where  are  
microphones  and  input  sources  are  connected.      
 
• The  console  end  of  the  mulVcore  has  individual  connectors  to  be  
patched  into  the  appropriate  mixer  channels.  
 
• Signal  can  also  be  sent  to  the  stage  from  the  console,  which  is  how  
signal  gets  to  the  Front  of  House  and/or  fold  back  speakers.  
MulVcores  
Looms  
• A  loom  is  a  collecVon  of  cables  joined  together  to  help  make  se?ng  up  
your  equipment  quicker,  more  efficient  and  also  neater.    
 
• 2  common  types  of  looms  are:    
Ø Power  looms,  used  to  run  power  and  audio  signal  from  the  console  
to  the  Front  of  House  speakers.  
Ø Drum  looms,  used  to  connect  to  microphones  on  a  drumkit.    
 

Power  Loom   8  Channel  XLR  Loom  


Balanced  Inserts  
-­‐  A  balanced  insert  is  used  to  take  the  signal  from  the  mixing  console  sending  it  to  the  32-­‐
band  EQ  rack  and  then  returned  back  into  the  console  as  a  balanced  signal.  
-­‐  Balanced  inserts  can  also  be  used  to  take  the  signal  from  an  individual  channel  such  as  
kick  drum,  sent  into  a  gate  unit  and  then  once  affected  is  returned  back  with  a  balanced  ¼”  
patch  cable  into  the  console.  
-­‐  Balanced  inserts  allow  for  units  such  as  gates  or  compressors  to  be  used  post  preamp  and  
pre  EQ,  HPF  and  fader.  
-­‐  For  the  inserts  to  work  the  connectors  must  be  both  sent  and  returned  into  the  console  to  
form  and  complete  the  link.  Without  this  the  outboard  unit  will  not  be  affecVve.  

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