| Setting up equipment in a recording studio often | | | | mixer. They can also be used to connect a guitar DI |
| involves large numbers of wires and connections | | | | box to a mixer. High amplitude analogue mono XLR |
| between different pieces of equipment. Many different | | | | cables can be used to connect mixing desks with |
| types of cables can be used to connect musical | | | | professional tape recorders, effects units or dynamic |
| equipment. Some can be used for a number of | | | | processors. |
| different purposes, and can therefore be a more | | | | Jack plug cables are also used in recording studios. |
| cost-effective choice. Other types of cable are only | | | | They are usually 1/4 inch jacks. These cables may be |
| suitable for a particular specialized function, but they | | | | either mono or stereo. Some are balanced, but others |
| may be the only type capable of performing that | | | | are unbalanced. All are analogue. An unbalanced mono |
| function. If you are putting together a new recording | | | | jack plug cable can be used to connect drum |
| studio, then you should consider how you will need to | | | | machines, keyboards, samplers, sound modules and |
| connect your equipment before you begin to buy | | | | other pieces of equipment to a mixing desk or audio |
| anything. This will help you to pick pieces of equipment | | | | interface. They may also be used to connect a guitar |
| that can easily be connected to each other, and to | | | | with a DI box or amp. Consumer grade tape recorders |
| plan the best layout for your studio. | | | | or consumer 2 tracks can also be connected to |
| Microphone cables in professional recording studios are | | | | recording studio equipment using this type of cable. |
| typically XLR cables. These are also known as canon | | | | Unbalanced stereo jack plug cables are used to |
| cables. Microphone or XLR cables can also | | | | connect headphones. Balanced mono stereo jack |
| sometimes be used with other types of equipment. | | | | cables can be used to connect some |
| XLR cables are balanced and have three cores and | | | | semi-professional tape recorders, 2 tracks and effects |
| three pins. They may be either mono or stereo, and | | | | units to recording studio equipment such as mixing |
| they can also be either analogue or digital. | | | | desks. |
| Digital XLR cables can be used to connect two digital | | | | Phono plug cables can be used to connect consumer |
| devices together, for example a digital microphone and | | | | grade equipment with equipment in the recording studio. |
| a digital microphone pre-amp. Low amplitude analogue | | | | MIDI cables with Firewire or USB connectors can be |
| mono XLR cables may be used to connect an | | | | used to connect pieces of equipment such as |
| analogue microphone with a microphone pre-amp or a | | | | keyboards, mixers and microphones with a computer. |