Table of Contents
Advertisement
Section 4
This section will deal with the wide and varied questions
regarding ALL aspects of connections and hook-ups. Here
we look at everything from cabling schemes through to GT-
3/5 global setting configuration! Hang on to your hat!
Understanding Connectors
There are a number of different connectors that are typically
used on audio equipment. They tend to be used for one
specific purpose; audio, MIDI or power. Some of these
connectors are listed below with their typical uses.
Audio
0.25" TS (Tip-Sleeve) Jack
o
unbalanced mono – typically used for
guitars and their associated effects, also
found on mixing desks. Also known as a
¼" connector.
0.25" TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) Jack
o
unbalanced stereo, balanced mono, dual
direction insert cables, GT-3 footswitches
– typically found on mixing desks.
3.5mm TRS Jack
o
unbalanced stereo – often used for
headphones and also found on soundcards
as in/outs. Also known as a 1/8"
connector in the US.
XLR
o
balanced mono – typically found on
microphones and mixing desks.
RCA (a.k.a Phono)
o
unbalanced mono – typically used in
consumer audio equipment, also found on
soundcards as in/outs.
MIDI
DIN
o
This is the standard MIDI connector.
Mini DIN
o
Often found on PC MIDI cards.
Power
IEC
o
Used for mains supply.
Mini jack
o
Typically used for low voltage supply –
such as the GT-3's power cable/socket.
Choosing the right connector for the right job can be crucial
to ensuring your unit and audio systems perform at their
best.
Just because the source or destination uses a particular
connector DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE SAME
MUST BE USED AT THE OTHER END.
A typical example of this is the number of people who
connector their GT-3/5 to a soundcard using a 3.5mm TRS
jack at both ends, plugging the GT-3/5 end into the
headphone connector purely on the basis that 'they are the
© Copyright 2000-2002 Barry S. Pearce et al.
Connections
same type of connector and the cable is easy to find'. Yeah,
the cable might be easy to find, but it will NOT produce the
best results. We discuss this particular topic when we
examine audio connections below.
There are five parts to consider every cable. Yes FIVE. The
two connectors, the cable itself and the two wiring schemes
used for signal type carried. For instance I have cables that
have an (1) XLR connector wired in a (2) standard
configuration for a balanced signal over a (3)Van Damme
single braid screened OFC 2 core balanced patch cable
ending in a (4) 0.25" TRS again wired in a (5) standard
configuration for a balanced signal.
It takes a bit of thought, and sometimes you must make
cables up yourself as they are hard to find in the shops, but
when it comes down to it, you must UNDERSTAND what
is connected to what in what fashion, and why. Failing to
have this understanding can result in unwanted noise, poor
audio connections, poor audio quality or at worse loss of
signal (for instance - a poorly configured balanced ->
unbalanced cable). Below I shall be giving you some advice
on the correct cables to use.
Standard Wiring Schemes
For the most part, each of the different audio connectors
will not affect the signal, or noise levels. It is the cable
construction and wiring scheme used which determines the
susceptibility of a cable to noise. We will now examine
some common cabling schemes and their pros & cons.
Behringer have produced some nice diagrams in their
manuals with regard to wiring schemes. I'm not the most
'arty' of people so I've swiped them (all due credit to
Behringer) and these are reproduced below for you.
Unbalanced Mono 0.25" TS Jack
23
Advertisement
Table of Contents
