Yamaha MGP16X Owner's Manual - Page 6

Making the Most of Your Mixer Balanced Cables and Unbalanced Cables Two types of cables can be used to connect microphones, electronic instruments, and other audio sources to the mixer's inputs, as well as to connect the mixer's outputs to a power amplifier or related gear: balanced or unbalanced. Balanced cables are highly resistant to noise, and are the best choice for low-level signals such as the output from microphones, as well as for long cable runs. Unbalanced cables are generally used for short runs from line-level sources such as synthesizers. Cable Guidelines Microphones Balanced is best. Short line-level cables Unbalanced cable is fine in a relatively noise-free environment. Long line-level cables Balanced is best. Connector Types XLR connectors This 3-pin connector is resistant to externally induced noise, and is used primarily for balanced connections. With properly designed receiving circuitry cables with this type of connector can also be used for unbalanced signals. XLR type connectors are the standard for microphone connections as well as most professional audio gear. Male Female Phone jacks Phone jacks are available in mono and stereo versions. Stereo types are also known as "TRS" connectors (Tip-Ring-Sleeve), and are used for stereo headphone jacks, insert jacks, and also to carry balanced signals in many cases. Unbalanced types are used for mono signals -guitar cables are a common example. Stereo/TRS phone plug Mono phone plug RCA Pin Connectors This type of unbalanced connector is most commonly found on home audio and video equipment. RCA type pin jacks are often color coded: white for left audio channel and red for right audio channel, for example. White Red 6 MGP16X/MGP12X Owner's Manual