Audio Engineering (Types Of Cables)

Audio Engineering is a curiosity to the world. What does Audio Engineering mean? Is Audio that difficult that you need a person with a specific education to operate? Well, Audio Engineering is just 20% art and 80% science. Yes, it is difficult, it takes more than what you think. Audio engineers need a good musical ear and a high level of technical competence. They make extensive use of audio equipment and digital technologies. You will need to have patience and able to stay calm in the highly pressurised situation of a live performance.

Understanding the types of cables is important to an Audio Engineer. These are the types of cables there is to know:

Banana Plug

3.5 mm or 1/8inch (Aux)

• The 3.5 mm connector is commonly called a 1/8-inch connector or a mini-plug. This connector is a small, thin metal that can be used to carry, two, or even three signals.

1/4 Inch (6.3 mm) & 1/4-Inch TRS

• Often used in pro-audio applications, this connector is also known as a phone connector.
• It has a Tip/Ring/Sleeve or Tip/Sleeve

TS vs TRS

1. TS

• - Mono Unbalanced Signal
• Small Power Adapters

2. TRS

• Mono Balanced Signal
• Stereo Unbalanced Signal
• Unbalanced Send / Return
• Digital I/O
• Headphones

3.5 mm Optical Mini Plug

• Similar in size to the standard 3.5 mm connector, the 3.5 mm Optical Mini Plug is a designed for digital audio application.
• This type of connector is often adapted to a standard TOSLINK connector.

XLR

• X-Series Latch Rubber.
• The XLR connector is used for many professional audio applications.
• Originally designed by ITT Cannon, the most common configuration is a 3-pin connector for “Balanced” Audio Signal.

GPO (General Post Office) (Bantam)

• Only for patchbays
• 1/4” GPO
• 4.4 mm a.k.a TT (Tiny Telephone)

DIN

• Deutsche Industrie Norm
• Obsolete stereo I/O connector for Hi-Fi systems
• Midi interface connector : 5-pin 180 degree

BNC

• Stands for Bayonet Neil Concelmann
• Standard connector for analogue and digital video
• Standard BNC ??

D-Sub

• In audio, used when 8 or 16 XLR chassis connectors would take too much space.
• Standard for T-Dif 8-channel audio digital interface.

Ethernet

• Several console and digital snake manufacturers are now using Ethernet connecters and cheap CAT6 cables to run hundreds of channels to/from the stage and F.O.H. in live sound application.

These are some that i can plainly explain, but there is more to an Audio Engineer.