Unbalanced Signal

1. Unbalanced Signal “Hot” Ground Output Input Cable “Hot” carries the signal (voltage) Ground (shield) is the 0 volt reference A two wire cable is used

2. Unbalanced Signal Output Input Any noise picked up during transmission through the cable is added to the signal

3. Unbalanced Cables Any cable with only a “hot” and ground signal Guitar cables Keyboard cables (sometimes) RCA cables Headphones Y-cables used as insert cables in many small consoles

4. Balanced Signal “Hot” “Cold” Ground Input Output Cable “Hot” carries the signal (voltage) “Cold” carries the same signal, but at the reverse polarity Ground (shield) is the 0 volt reference A three wire cable is used

5. Balanced Signal “Hot” “Cold” Ground Input Output Cable The input flips the polarity of the cold signal and combines the hot and cold signals This doubles the signal level (voltage) compared to an unbalanced signal level

6. Balanced Signal “Hot” “Cold” Ground Input Output Cable The input flips the polarity of the cold signal and combines the hot and cold signals Any common noise is cancelled when the cold signal polarity is flipped

7. Balanced Signal “Hot” “Cold” Ground Input Output Cable The input flips the polarity of the cold signal and combines the hot and cold signals Any common noise is cancelled when the cold signal polarity is flipped and combined

8. ¼” Connectors TRS – Tip Ring Sleeve TS – Tip Sleeve TRS BALANCED 1. Sleeve - ground 2. Ring – “cold” 3. Tip – “hot” 4. Insulating rings

9. ¼” Connectors TRS – Tip Ring Sleeve TS – Tip Sleeve TS UNBALANCED 1. Sleeve - ground 3. Tip – “hot” 4. Insulating rings

10. ¼” Connectors TRS – Tip Ring Sleeve TS – Tip Sleeve TRS STEREO PLUG 1. Sleeve - ground 2. Ring – “hot” RIGHT 3. Tip – “hot” LEFT 4. Insulating rings

11. XLR Connectors XLR 1. ground 2. “hot” 3. “cold”

12. XLR to ¼” Connectors 1. ground 2. “hot” 3. “cold”