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XLR Plugs Explained and the Future of Pro Audio Connectors
By Busy Door Guest Blogger | April 27, 2009
The XLR connector is the standard for pro audio and video applications. The plug is actually an electrical connector by design. Not unlike the more well-known RCA plug , which used regularly with home audio and video electronics, the XLR connector is different in several important ways.
Originally designed and manufactured by James h. Cannon, the connector was originally called the “Cannon X,” and later the “Canon XL” and finally the “XLR” after the addition of the latch (XL) and rubber compound (XLR) which surrounds the connectors.
Most frequently found is the XLR 3-pin, which is used universally for high quality microphones and as a connector between equipment. Other widely used configurations of the XLR plug is the 4-pin XLR4, used with Clear-Com and Telex intercom headsets and as DC power connectors for video and film cameras. The XLR5 connector is the standard for DMX512 digital lighting control and also is used for dual element microphones and dual channel intercom headsets. XLR6 is the standard connection for dual channel intercom belt-packs.
There are also a number of obsolete configurations with various pin numbers including XLR-LNE mains power connector which had red insulation and shrouded pins and since been replaced by the Neutrik PowerCon connector.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 earthly return. Ultimately, this application turned out to be potentially harmful to equipment and the XLR has been superceded by the Neutrik Speakon connector.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. Due to the fact that the ground connection is made before the signal lines make contact, XLR’s can be plugged and unplugged without interference from external signals, a common 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 always the earthly return or ground pin, and often soldered to the internal shell or case.
Finally, the male XLRM connector is used for output and the female XLRF connector is used for input. So, a microphone 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 distances . Quality varies depending on the manufacturer, but for high end applications please can check out Canare, Mogami and Neutrik.
Recently, the advent of USB microphones that connect directly to a PC or MAC have gained popularity. So far, USB microphones are primarily intended to be used as studio microphones, and live stage vocal microphones continue to use the standard XLR connections.
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