The differential amplifier sums the differences between the audio signals on pins 2 and 3 of the balanced XLR cable. Within a microphone preamplifier, which expects mic level balanced audio signals, there is a differential amplifier. The mic input of any audio interface will likely have a built-in microphone preamplifier. These twinned audio signals travel through the balanced XLR cable and are sent to next audio device (let's continue with our example of our audio interface). However, this is part of the cleverness of balanced audio. One would think that this would simply cancel the audio signal out. So the microphone outputs its audio signal with equal amplitude on pins 2 and 3 (relative to pin 1) but with opposite polarity. In the case of a microphone connection, it carries the negative mic signal from the microphone to the connected mic input. It carries a copy of the audio signal in negative (reverse) polarity. Pin 3: Pin 3 is the cold/negative wire. In the case of a microphone connection, it carries the positive mic signal from the microphone to the connected mic input. It carries a copy of the audio signal in positive polarity. Pin 2: Pin 2 is the hot/positive wire.On top of that, pin 1 also acts as cable shield, protecting pins 2 and 3 from electromagnetic interference. It provides a reference point for pins 2 and 3 and may also connecting to ground at the microphone and/or mic input. Pin 1: Pin 1 is the ground/shield wire.What is each of the 3 pins for in an XLR connector? Balanced audio does this by carrying two copies of the audio signal in reverse polarity and cancelling out any induced interference.īefore getting into a more in-depth explanation of balanced audio, let's revisit our 3-pin XLR. What is balanced audio? Balanced audio is a method of connecting audio equipment that allows audio signals to travel through long lengths of cable effectively without loss of clarity. Let's discuss each of these in more detail. Now there are two main reasons why professional microphones use XLR: balanced audio and microphone protection. This is the basic microphone connection via XLR to another device. You could also do this in the reverse order. Connect the male XLR of the cable to the audio interface's mic input (female XLR).Connect the microphone output (male XLR) to the female XLR connector of the cable.The female 3-pin XLR connector has its 3 pins act as jacks (sockets) that receive the male 3-pin XLR when connected.Male 3-pin XLRs insert into female 3-pin XLRs when connected. The male 3-pin XLR connector has 3 pins that act as plugs.If we look at a standard 3-pin XLR cable, we'll see two connection points: one 3-pin male XLR connector at one end and one 3-pin female XLR connector at the other. These mic inputs are practically all 3-pin female XLR connectors. Similarly, the vast majority of microphone inputs (whether they be in a mixing console, audio interface, audio snake, adaptor, or standalone mic preamps or processors) have an XLR input. For right now, let's keep discussing microphones and XLR. Of course, there are other connection types for microphones, and we'll get to those later. These mics, generally speaking, have a 3-pin male XLR connector. Most professional standalone microphones (whether they be moving-coil dynamic, condenser, or ribbon mics) have an XLR output. Related article: Top 11 Best XLR Cable Brands In The World We'll also discuss the alternative microphone connections that are commonly on the market today. Let's dive deeper into the design of XLR cables and why they are so effective as microphone connections. XLR has become a popular option for professional microphone connections due to its clean sound and protective qualities. Balanced audio provides clean audio transfer across long cable lengths, and a ground-pin-first connection protects mics from electrical damage. However, many professional microphones connect via 3-pin XLR cables because XLR carries balanced audio and connects the ground-pin first. Why do microphones use XLR cables? Not all mics use XLR. Although I had previously performed plenty of times as a guitarist, this was the first time using an XLR cable to connect a microphone to anything. In my time studying audio engineering in college, I remember connecting a microphone to a mic preamp for the first time.
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