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Analogue Audio
Balanced Audio
Balanced audio is rarely used within the home environment but is incredibly important in audio recording and production as it allow for very long cable runs without the introduction of outside noise. The most common balanced connector is the 3 pin XLR, which is also used with mircophones because of it durability.
A balanced audio connection has three wires. Firstly the actual live signal being sent, then a dead send that has no live signal but will pick up the same noise interference as the live signal, and thirdly the ground which shields the other two. Once the balanced signal is received by a balanced input the dead signal is phase reversed and combined with the live, this has the effect of cancelling out the external noise picked up over the cable run (via phase cancelation).
While XLR connections are the most common balanced connector, 1/4" Jack TRS (Tip Ring Sleeve) connectors are also commonly used.
Unbalanced AudioMost domestic audio equipment has unbalanced audio inputs and outputs. This means that the audio output (left, right, or mono) appears on a single wire, and is referenced to "0V" or "Ground". Typical connectors used are RCA "phono" connectors, DIN plugs/sockets, and 0.25" (6.3mm) or 3.5mm jack plugs/sockets.
Unbalanced audio is fine for the domestic environment and for line-level signals in a typical broadcast studio. Problems start to occur if the signals are being carried over long distances, especially if the source and destination have separate mains supplies.
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Stereo Analogue Audio connections use Red and White colour coded "RCA" connections. These support mono or stereo analogue audio. |
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