Audio 1

Front 1

RCA

Back 1

Unbalanced, consumer standard for audio connections - VHS, DVD, etc.

Front 2

1/8” TS (Tip Sleeve)

Back 2

Unbalanced mono, sometimes used for unbalanced audio inputs in consumer video cameras and computers.

Front 3

1/8” TRS (Tip Ring Sleeve) also called mini.

Back 3

Balanced stereo connector. Adaptor most commonly used when interfacing computer audio to a sound system.

Front 4

1/4” TS(Tip Sleeve).

Back 4

Unbalanced, used for guitars, keys, over short runs (less than 15’), sometimes used with heavier gauged cables (14 -18 AWG) for speakers.

Front 5

1/4” TRS (Tip Ring Sleeve)

Back 5

Balanced mono or unbalanced stereo, some mixer outputs are balanced mono. Headphone outputs, unbalanced stereo, insert cables, unbalanced send and returns.

Front 6

NL-4

Back 6

Speaker cable, used for 1 or two way speakers 🔊.

Front 7

NL-8

Back 7

Speaker cable, used for 3 or 4 way speakers 🔊.

Front 8

EP4

Back 8

Speaker Cable, used for 1 or 2 way speakers 🔊.

Front 9

EP6

Back 9

Speaker cable, for 3-way speakers 🔊.

Front 10

EP8

Back 10

Speaker cable, used for 4-way speakers.

Front 11

Unbalanced Signal/Line

Back 11

Consists of 3 wire: 2 carry signal (positive) 1 is reference (ground). Good for rejecting electrical interference and radio waves 🌊. Good for distances more than 15’. Has minimal signal degradation. Often XLR and 1/4” TRS. Used in professional audio audio equipment for mics and lime level signal. Normally low impedance.

Front 12

Balanced Signal/Line

Back 12

Consists of 3 wire: 2 carry signal (positive) 1 is reference (ground).

Good for rejecting electrical interference and radio waves 🌊.

Good for distances more than 15’. Has minimal signal degradation.

Often XLR and 1/4” TRS. Used in professional audio audio equipment for mics and lime level signal. Normally low impedance.

Front 13

Unbalanced Siganl/Line

Back 13

Consists of 2 wires. 1 provides signal (positive) and 1 is reference (ground). Cannot reject outside electrical interference (keep away from other cables!). Ok for 15’ or less. Often 1/4” TS, or RCA. Normally high in impedance.

Front 14

Line Level

Back 14

The specified strength of an audio signal used to transmit analog sound between audio components such as CD and DVD players, TVs, audio amplifiers, and mixing consoles. The most common nominal level for consumer audio equipment is -10 dBV, and the most nominal level for professional equipment is +4 dBu.

Front 15

Mic Level

Back 15

Microphone Level is usually significantly lower than line level. Mic level needs amplifying up to line level with a microphone pre-amp, usually built into the mixer. Voltage if a signal generated by a mic is 2 MV.

Front 16

Phantom Power

Back 16

It is achieved by applying voltage to the same wires that carry the audio signal. Typically 48 volts. Can also be 12V, 15V, 18V and 24V.

Front 17

GAIN

Back 17

The amount of amplification obtainable in a sound system before distortion.

Front 18

GAIN

Back 18

The amount of amplification obtainable in a sound system before distortion.

Front 19

DECIBEL

Back 19

A unit used to measure the intensity of a sound. Exponential measurement of volume. 6 dB doubles acoustic volume. 3 dB doubles the electrical volume.

Front 20

GAIN

Back 20

The amount of amplification obtainable in a sound system before distortion.

Front 21

DECIBEL

Back 21

A unit used to measure the intensity of a sound. Exponential measurement of volume. 6 dB doubles acoustic volume. 3 dB doubles the electrical volume.

Front 22

Amplifier

Back 22

Signal Processor that provides power via electronic signal from input transducers to produce sound via output and the amplifier inputs. Passive does not require power as it is usually built into the speakers.

Front 23

Equalisers

Back 23

A signal processor that manipulates the level of certain frequencies by adjusting the volume of those frequencies individually. Ex: parametric and graphic equalisers.

Front 24

Interface

Back 24

A device that creates a pathway for different components. Ex: a mixer or DI.

Front 25

Direct Box(DI, Direct Interface)

Back 25

Can be either passive or active. Active requires power, passive does not. Active is best for longer runs. It converts unbalanced signal into a balanced signal at line level. They also come in mono and stereo and and are used for things such as guitars, keys, computers, violins, turntables, etc.

Front 26

Mic Pre-Amp

Back 26

A device that boosts mic level to line level.