balanced and unbalanced

[otherness]

What is the difference between balanced and unbalanced microphones?

[ametth]

(edited)

[MISTERQCUE]

Not balanced or unbalanced microphones,more like the cables used to connect the microphones. a balanced cable contains a 1/4 inch balanced plug ( tip,ring sleeve) or XLR connector (with 3 pins )which contains a hot lead for grounding.
Unbalanced cables contain a 1/4" plug that contains only a tip and sleeve.
Most cheap mics (Radio Whack comes to mind) comes with unbalanced cables for connectors, though balanced XLR and cables can also be used (as evidenced by the 3 pins at the bottom of the mic)

[ametth]

VERY SIMPLIFIED EXPLINATION: The piece of equipment
sending the signal splits it into two signals (lets say '+' and '-' for S&G) and inverts the second one. The recieving piece of equipment inverts this second signal back to its initial phase and adds it to the first one. Any noise from the cable that is picked up is effectively cancelled out when the second inversion occurs.