XLR

The rugged three-pin cable and connector standard used for microphones.

XLR is the standard connector and cable type used for professional microphones and much studio and stage audio gear, recognisable by its sturdy round housing with three pins. Its design carries audio as a 'balanced' signal, which dramatically reduces hum and interference and allows long cable runs without picking up noise — a key reason it is the professional standard over consumer connectors. The same three pins also carry phantom power up to condenser microphones. For anyone setting up a home studio or playing live, XLR cables are an everyday essential, and their locking connectors and rugged build make them reliable and hard to pull out by accident.

432

Written & reviewed by

432 Academy

The Club432 musician collective

432 Academy is the learning arm of Club432 — a performing-arts collective of working musicians, producers, DJs and engineers. Our guides are written for beginners and reviewed by people who play, record and perform for a living, so the advice is what we'd tell a friend picking up the instrument, not specs copied off a box.

Meet the roster →Get 1-on-1 mentoring →

Want a working musician in your corner?

Reading only gets you so far. Get 1-on-1 coaching and consulting from real 432 musicians — over video, on your instrument, around your goals. We match you with the right mentor and build a plan that actually moves you forward.

Book 1-on-1 coaching →Meet the musicians →