XLR Revealed and the Future of Pro Audio Plugs
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 named 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 3-pin XLR is the most widely used, and is the standard as a balanced audio connector for professional microphones and connections 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. 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 additional 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. XLR3 connectors were at one time also used extensively on 2-conductor loudspeaker cables, with either pin 2 or 3 as live (depending on the manufacturer) and pin 1 as the earthly return. However, this turned out to be dangerous to equipment and has since been replaced by the Neutrik Speakon connector.
XLRF connectors are made to connect the ground pin first, before the other pins make contact while the XLRM is being 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 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. - 18424
Originally designed and manufactured by James h. the connector was first named 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 3-pin XLR is the most widely used, and is the standard as a balanced audio connector for professional microphones and connections 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. 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 additional 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. XLR3 connectors were at one time also used extensively on 2-conductor loudspeaker cables, with either pin 2 or 3 as live (depending on the manufacturer) and pin 1 as the earthly return. However, this turned out to be dangerous to equipment and has since been replaced by the Neutrik Speakon connector.
XLRF connectors are made to connect the ground pin first, before the other pins make contact while the XLRM is being 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 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. - 18424
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