Cables & Leads

Unbalanced Audio Cables

Unbalanced audio is what most home and personal music devices use, such as the iPod. An unbalanced mono signal requires two wires to carry audio through a cable; one transmitting the audio and one to be the ground. Mono is also known as a single audio signal, and two monos constitute a full stereo signal. Unbalanced audio signals are vulnerable to external interference. We are surrounded by electromagnetic fields emitted by electrical appliances, and these sometimes interfere with an audio signal in a wire.

Balanced Audio Cables

There are different types of balanced audio cable, but they all work on the same principle. Balanced mono signal cables require three connections. Balanced stereo cables are not in everyday use, so a balanced stereo signal requires two cables, each with three links each. Balanced cables can be used over much longer distances than unbalanced ones, such as between a mixer and a club PA system.

Types of Connector

- RCA cables are usually in red and white pairs, RCA cables are the most common in audio set-ups.
- XLR is one of the most common types of balanced plug. It has the advantage of being very secure.
- A TRS cable carries a balanced mono signal or an unbalanced stereo signal.
- S/PDIF (digital) is occasionally found on some audio interfaces, and notably on newer Pioneer CDJs and some high-end club mixers.

If you know the difference between these different audio cable systems, you can make a better informed decision when choosing your gear. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact The Disc DJ Store.

Setting up an audio system is not hard work if you know what you are doing. The work can come to a halt without the right cables, including the speaker cable, which is critical in transmitting sound from the speakers. Professional DJ's use 1/4-inch speaker cable to connect their instruments to amps and the amps to the speakers.

You will find various types and quality of DJ cables / leads right here at The Disc DJ Store.