Explain to me the XLR Cable!

Discussion in 'Effects, Pedals, Strings & Things' started by ibanez4life SZ!, Feb 26, 2009.

  1. Feb 26, 2009 #1
    ibanez4life SZ!

    ibanez4life SZ! Member

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    Hey guys!

    So I'm planning a little project, and I need to understand the anatomy of the XLR cable. Been doing a lot of research, and I've got most of it down, but no where can I find a simple explanation of what flows through what pins.

    Where does the Signal Flow (electric guitars that use Piezo for example?)
    Where does the phantom power flow?
    Ground?

    Which pin is usually designated to what?

    Appreciate it!

    Eric
     
    ibanez4life SZ!, Feb 26, 2009
    ibanez4life SZ!, Feb 26, 2009
    #1
  2. Feb 26, 2009 #2
    DC1

    DC1 Member

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    Are you speaking of an XLR used with a particular guitar, or one attached to a mic?

    dc
     
    DC1, Feb 26, 2009
    DC1, Feb 26, 2009
    #2
  3. Feb 26, 2009 #3
    jamiefbolton

    jamiefbolton Supporting Member

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    jamiefbolton, Feb 26, 2009
    jamiefbolton, Feb 26, 2009
    #3
  4. Feb 26, 2009 #4
    ClinchFX

    ClinchFX Gold Supporting Member Vendor

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    Great book - excellent recommendation.

    Peter.
     
    ClinchFX, Feb 26, 2009
    ClinchFX, Feb 26, 2009
    #4
  5. Feb 26, 2009 #5
    ibanez4life SZ!

    ibanez4life SZ! Member

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    I've read the wikipedia article before posting here...maybe I'm losing it, but it still doesn't differentiate between which pins the signal and voltage flow through. Anyone that can shed some light on it for me?

    Thanks for the help.
     
    ibanez4life SZ!, Feb 26, 2009
    ibanez4life SZ!, Feb 26, 2009
    #5
  6. Feb 26, 2009 #6
    Miles19

    Miles19 Member

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    XLRs are most commonly used for balanced signals (two signal wires, plus a separate ground). As the wikipedia article says, pin 1 is ground, and pins 2 and 3 are the signal "hot" and "return". Phantom power is typically +48V (though it can be other values), applied to BOTH pins 2 and 3, with respect to pin 1. Since the receiver of a balanced signal amplifies the difference between pins 2 and 3, the phantom power *should* have no effect on that amplifier, or on the balanced source that supplies the signal. However, there are some possible side-effects which can be hazardous to, for instance, ribbon mics.

    HTH,
    Miles
     
    Miles19, Feb 26, 2009
    Miles19, Feb 26, 2009
    #6

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