Saturday 21 November 2009

Leads and Connections


Always make sure that you use the correct cables at all times, the more expensive the cable, usually the better the quality and higher quality components and manufacturing techniques used.You only get what you pay for. If you are using very long cables then you should use balanced cable, so the quality will be the same as if the cable was short and it therefore wont deteriorate or suffer from RF interference. If you use an unbalanced cable for long distance the quality will drop and possible interference will occur.


You should not skimp with leads, Buy the best quality that you can possibly afford.


The Different Types Of Connectors

XLR
Stereo 1/4" Jack (Balanced/Unbalanced)
Mono 1/4" Jack (Balanced/Unbalanced)
Patch Lead
RCA Phono
SPDIF
2.5mm Mini Jack (Stereo/Mono)
3.5mm Mini Jack (Stereo/Mono)
Speakon
DIN
MIDI
Toslink
Optical

The Different Types Of Cable

Oxygen Free Cable - Expensive cable, but the higher cost is due to the superior quality that this type of cable incorporates. It is excellent for speaker cable. Sonic superiority.

Braided Screened Cable - Expensive cable, due to the copper content and more complex manufacturing techniques. Excellent for microphone cable as it features very high rejection of RF interference. Great for PA's.

Foil Screened Cable - Low cost cable, with good screening and can be prepared very quick and easy, it also has a small diameter.

Conductive Plastic Cable - Great cable that can go around bends with ease, also very quick and easy to prepare. The biggest flaw of this type of cable is that the screening capabilities are very poor compared to other types of cable. But great for short run microphone cables.

Lapped Screened Cable - Expensive cable, due to the copper content. Easily flexed and is very strong, an excellent all round cable if you got the cash to buy it. Great for PA's.

Single Core (Unbalanced) - Usually low cost and quite common, especially in everyday applications and use. Best used for short cables. One core carries the Hot signal, and the Shield which is the Earth.
Double Core (Balanced) - Usually expensive, double core, one core carries the Hot signal (Positive +), one core carries Cold signal (Negative -), and the shield which is Earth. This cable is excellent for short and long length cables, as it is highly unlikely to suffer from RF interference and noise.

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