The difference between balanced / unbalanced cables...

[gilwe]

What is the difference between the two ?

I'm gonna setup a microphone cable to be used with a SM58 and don't quite know which of the 3 cable diagrams I got to use ...

these are the XLR-to-XLR, XLR-to-Mono PL (unbalanced)
and XLR-to-Stereo PL (balanced) ...

Thanks all.

 

[cordura21]

I'll go for the XLR to XLR option if you can, it's more standard.

Balanced cables are less susceptible to pick up noise an interference than unbalanced ones.
They use two conductors, and each one carries the same signal but with inverse polarity. Then if any noise is picked up in the way, it cancels out, but the original signal doesn't cancel because of the above.

Balanced lines are great specially for long cable runs. For short ones the difference is not that great between balanced and unbalanced.

Check this link for more and better info

Cheers, Andrés

 

[gilwe]

I checked my Yamaha mixer and found that each channel has a phone jack input for High-z and XLR for Low-z .

Do I still have to use XLR (Low-z input) ?


And one more question if I may -

The XLR plug has got and additional pin (fourth) that I connected with its metal cover. Do I have to connect it with pin 1 (ground) or just leave it unconnected ?


Thanks !!