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Library / Cables & connectors / XLR

XLR

The three-pin plug this magazine is named after. Microphones, line outputs, stage lighting and digital audio all travel on it.123

123
Female (socket), looking into it
123
Male (pins), looking into it

1 · Ground2 · Hot +3 · Cold −

Schematic drawing · pin numbers and roles are standard; spacing, sizes and the latch are simplified. Each face is the mirror image of the other.

Pinout

Pin 1
Ground / shield4
Pin 2
Hot (+), the signal4
Pin 3
Cold (−), the return4

IEC 60268-12 wiring, as Neutrik states it

Why balanced is quiet

Pin 2 carries the signal. Pin 3 runs right beside it, so noise picked up along the cable lands on both the same way; on many outputs pin 3 also carries the signal turned upside down.5 The input listens only to the difference between the two wires, so the shared noise cancels and the signal is left.1

Pin 3 · cold (inverted)

Where you meet it

  • Microphones

    Mic to preamp or desk. Outputs are male and inputs female, so the cable's female end goes on the mic.1

  • Line level

    Balanced outputs and inputs of interfaces, desks and outboard.15

  • Stage lighting

    DMX control; the standard requires the five-pin version.2

  • Digital audio

    AES3: stereo digital audio on one cable.3

Sources

  1. System Science, Part 3: Analogue Connections, Focusritebalanced lines; TRS, TS and XLR; outputs male, inputs female; guitars need a high-impedance input; headphone TRS · checked 2026-10-07
  2. ANSI E1.11 – 2024, DMX512-A, ESTAclause 7.1.1: equipment shall use 5-pin XLR connectors · checked 2026-10-07
  3. System Science, Part 4: Digital Considerations, FocusriteAES3 on XLR; S/PDIF on phono (RCA); TOSlink for S/PDIF or ADAT; BNC word clock · checked 2026-10-07
  4. XLR (FAQ), Neutrikpin 1 shield/ground, pin 2 live (hot, +), pin 3 return (cold, −), per IEC 60268-12 · checked 2026-10-07
  5. Sound System Interconnection (RaneNote 110), Ranebalanced XLR and TRS; unbalanced TS and RCA; balanced output stages · checked 2026-10-07