There are many possible types of professional audio connections, but basically we can group them into two types: digital audio connections and analog audio connections.
The latter in turn encompass many other possible combinations that can be arranged, for example, in subgroups depending on how the signal is transported: balanced or unbalanced (stereo/mono).
Professional digital audio connections using 3-conductor (2 live and shield) cables are governed by the AES/EBU (AES3) digital audio standard. This standard defines that the cable when having 3 conductors must have a characteristic impedance of 110 Ohms. Normally 3-pin XLR connectors are used as connectors, but to differentiate between digital and analogue connections, many devices use 5-pin XLR connectors to indicate that the input/output is digital, even though only the first 3 of the 5 pins are used.
Like all digital signals, a square signal composed of zeros and ones is transmitted with a maximum resolution of 24 bits. Although digital signals withstand noise well over short and medium distances, it is recommended that extremely long cables are not used as the attenuation that the signal can suffer over a long length of cable makes it vulnerable to changes in value when a noise peak is coupled at one point.
Example of a digital signal with noise. If the attenuation is low, the noise does not affect the signal values.
Balancedanalog pro audio connections use XLR and 3-pin (TRS) jacks. It is always better, if your devices allow it, to use a balanced connection rather than an unbalanced one as this way you can more easily counteract interference that is coupled into the connection.
Balanced professional audio connections use a cable with two insulated conductors covered by a conductive shield that acts as a ground. In the two conductors the same signal is transported although with the opposite sign between them (the original in one conductor and the same but inverted in the other).
During use, the noise that the shield is not able to absorb will be added to both signals in the same way. The conductors carry the same signal with the sign changed but the noise that will be incorporated equally in both signals will have the same sign. In this way, at the end of the path, comparing the potential difference of both signals, it will be possible to subtract this noise to cancel it almost completely and obtain the original signal practically clean.
Example of how to remove noise from a balanced signal.
Unbalanced professional audio connections, stereo or mono, do not have this possibility of eliminating noise, so if noise reaches the Conductor that the shielding has not been able to absorb, it will be added to the signal in an irremediable way. It is recommended in these cases to use the shortest possible connections or to use them in environments with the minimum possibility of receiving external interferences.
These professional audio connections mostly use RCA, Jack 6.3 and 3.5 mono (TS) and stereo (TRS) connectors. Although they can also use XLR in an unbalanced way connecting devices when at least one of them does not have balanced inputs or outputs.
Description of Emelec ViasCom professional audio connections
For the assembly of the professional audio connections offered by Emelec VíasCom, we use our own cables and Emelec Víascom connectors as well as Neutrik connectors or other connectors that the client may require.
Emelec VíasCom professional audio cables are cables manufactured with the best materials that ensure their quality and optimum performance. Each cable has a complete technical data sheet where all its characteristics are indicated: from the exact measurements of all its parts including the types of materials used to the behaviour of the cables when carrying signal, indicating the result of different electrical characteristics.
All cables used in our connections are composed of high purity OFC oxygen-free copper conductors that give the connections a long life with very good resistance over time. Shields also using OFC copper have 100% coverage against electromagnetic interference. The jackets are made of a flame retardant PVC which is very flexible and at the same time resistant with no memory effect.
Balanced digital cable information https://emelec.es/20205-balanceados-digitales-110
Balanced analog cable information https://emelec.es/20211-balanceados
Information unbalanced analog cables https://emelec.es/20215-no-balanceados
Analogue cable information paral·lels https://emelec.es/20220-paral·lels
Information analog guitar cables https://emelec.es/20216-guitarra-
The different types of audio connectors offered by Emelec VíasCom are the ideal complement for our cables. In our connections we use:
- 3-pin and 5-pin XLR male and female
- 6.3 mono and stereo male jack 6.3
- RCA male and female
- 3.5 mono and stereo male and female 3.5 jack.
- Speaker 2 and 4 pins
All these connectors are built with the best materials. The contacts are silver plated except in the case of the RCA which are gold plated. Inside they use thermoplastics and PBT or PA6 bearings that give them a high resistance to continuous use. The outer shell is metallic, matt black or nickel plated, except in the case of the speaker that the housing is made of thermoplastic PA6 ultra resistant.
Audio connector information https://emelec.es/20316-audio
New references with nickel-plated connectors
Using the cables and connectors described above, we have a permanent stock for fast delivery of a wide range of professional audio connections for all possible applications in different lengths. Our standard range uses black metal connectors, but we have just extended it with the three references shown above. Furthermore, on request we can make the connection according to the customer's needs and for special applications.
EQ6304NS - XLR Male 3 pin to XLR Female 3 pin https://emelec.es/audio-profesional-emelec/83212-eq6304nnns.html
EQ6104NS - XLR Female 3 pin to Jack 6.3 Male mono https://emelec.es/audio-profesional-emelec/83213-eq6104nnns.html
EQ6101NS - Jack 6.3 Male mono to Jack 6.3 Male mono https://emelec.es/audio-profesional-emelec/83214-eq6101nnns.html
To find out more about all these pro audio connections
Emelec ViasCom Professional Audio Connections https://emelec.es/20529-audio-profesional-emelec