Free Reprint Articles

Posts Tagged ‘sound recording’

The XLR connector is commonly used in professional audio and video applications. The plug itself is an electrical connector by design. Similar in usages to the more familiar RCA connector, which is commonly used with home audio and video electronics, the XLR connector is different in a couple of important ways.

Originally designed and manufactured by James h. the connector was first called the “Cannon X,” and after the addition of a latch the “Cannon XL” and finally the “XLR” after having a rubber compound added to the connectors.

The most common is the 3-pin XLR3, used almost universally as a balanced audio connector for high quality microphones and connections between equipment. Other configurations are also widely used including the 4-pin XLR4, for Clear-Com and Telex intercom headsets and DC power connection for film and video cameras. XLR5 is the standard for DMX512 digital lighting control as well as dual element microphones and dual channel intercom headsets. XLR6 is the standard connection for dual channel intercom belt-packs.

There are several now obsolete configurations with additonal pins including the XLR-LNE mains power connector, which was identified by its red insulation and shrouded pins, and has now been replace by the Neutrik PowerCon connector. Until recently, XLR3 plugs were also widely used with 2-conductor loudspeaker cables, with either pin 2 or 3 as live (varies depending on the manufacturer) and pin 1 as the ground . Ultimately, this application turned out to be potentially harmful to equipment and the XLR has been replaced by the Neutrik Speakon connector.

Female XLR connectors are designed to first connect the ground pin before the other pins make contact as the male XLR connector is inserted. Because the ground connection is made first, before the signal lines make contact, XLR connectors can be inserted and removed without interference from external signals, a typical problem with RCA connections. There is some discrepancy between various manufacturers between swapping pin 2 (normal input) and pin 3 (inverting input), but this reflects nothing more than their own pre-existing standards before any standards existed. Pin 1 is exclusivley the earthly return or ground pin, and often soldered to the internal shell or case.

Lastly, the XLRM male plug is used for output and the XLRF connector is used for input. So, vocal microphones for example will have the XLRM connector. Signal cables will have XLRM at one end and an XLRF connector at the other. Mixers and other multi-track recording equipment components will have XLRF inputs, and XLRM returns to stage, or out to other components.

XLR connectors are the standard in the professional audio and recording industry. “Balanced” XLR cables help reduce noise and interference, especially over long spans . Quality in XLR cables varies greatly depending on the manufacturer, but for professional use please check out Canare, Mogami and Neutrik.

In the last few years, USB microphones that have the ability to connect directly to a PC or MAC have gained popularity. USB microphones are becoming increasingly popular as studio microphones, while live stage mics continue to use the standard XLR connectors.