"Newbie" question about XLR cables...

[Lurk_R]

I have been doing a lot of reading, as opposed to a lot of posting. I am reading up on XLR cables, and most people recommend sheided cables for noise reduction. My question is, how can you tell the difference? What signifies a shielded XLR cable over one that is unshielded? How can I tell when I go to the local Guitar Center to pick one up (other than asking the sales people. I don't really trust that pimple-faced 18 year old).

 

[Raw-Tracks]

All commercially available "XLR Cables" are shielded.

 

[Farview]

You would be hard pressed to find an unsheilded xlr cable at GC. In fact, the only cables they sell that are not shielded are speaker cables. Speaker cables are not supposed to be shielded.

 

[Lurk_R]

Thanks. I wasn't sure, because I see people telling other people that the noise they are hearing is probably because their cables are not shielded. I guess at one time they weren't all shielded?
Any way, thanks again. This board and its members have been really helpful so far. As soon as I get done buying all my new gear, maybe I will post a song that you guys can rip apart.

 

[Rokket]

Thanks. I wasn't sure, because I see people telling other people that the noise they are hearing is probably because their cables are not shielded. I guess at one time they weren't all shielded?
Any way, thanks again. This board and its members have been really helpful so far. As soon as I get done buying all my new gear, maybe I will post a song that you guys can rip apart.

Most of the time, I believe they are referring to them using TRS or TS cables, which can be unshielded. Like was stated, XLR cables are shielded.

 

[XLR]

I'm not aware of type that isn't shielded. There are different shieldings though, such as braided and spiral wrapped. They have different characteristics in RF rejection, ruggedness, and cable flexibility when coiling.

Tim

 

[Raw-Tracks]

I'm not aware of type that isn't shielded. There are different shieldings though, such as braided and spiral wrapped. They have different characteristics in RF rejection, ruggedness, and cable flexibility when coiling.

Tim

The only NON-shielded cables that may cause confusion would be 1/4" Tip-Sleeve Speaker cables. You won't find these with 1/4" TRS connectors, only TS.

 

[XLR]

The only NON-shielded cables that may cause confusion would be 1/4" Tip-Sleeve Speaker cables. You won't find these with 1/4" TRS connectors, only TS.

I guess I assumed the OP was talking about mic cables.

Tim

 

[Raw-Tracks]

Yes, he is talking about mic cables. But then there was mention of TRS and TS cables. That's where is he getting his confusion from, I believe. So to sum it up, the only audio cables that are not shielded are Speaker Cables.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lurk_R]

Yes, he is talking about mic cables. But then there was mention of TRS and TS cables. That's where is he getting his confusion from, I believe. So to sum it up, the only audio cables that are not shielded are Speaker Cables.

Hope this helps.

It did. Alot. I am picking up a few cables tomorrow. What's the deal with Monster Cables? Seems that they have gotten a bad rap. I was reading some very old posts.

 

[AlexW]

They're just very expensive.

 

[Lurk_R]

They're just very expensive.

Yeah, the feeling I was getting is that everyone thinks they are not as good as they claim they are, and not worth the price. Thank you for confirming that!

 

[Rokket]

Yeah, the feeling I was getting is that everyone thinks they are not as good as they claim they are, and not worth the price. Thank you for confirming that!

Most of the hatred comes from the fact that they attempted to trademark the name "Monster" and have launched lawsuits against companies who use it. Plus they are not as good as they claim, and there are comparable cables out there who are just as good and don't cost as much.