Cable and pro audio guides, minus the jargon
Straight answers on connectors, cable length, gauge and noise, for players and live sound crews who want things to work.
Cable guides
Connectors, length, gauge and what to check before you buy. Start with the connectors if you are not sure which cable you need.
- XLR vs TRS vs TS: What Each Audio Connector DoesTRS and TS plugs look almost the same. What matters is how many conductors they carry, and whether the connection is balanced or unbalanced.
- How Long Can a Guitar Cable Be Before Tone Suffers?A longer guitar cable changes your tone as well as your reach. Here is why, how long is too long, and what to do about it.
- What Makes a Good Guitar Cable? What to Look ForMost of a guitar cable price is not what you hear. These construction details decide whether it lasts, stays quiet and keeps your tone.
- Speaker Cable vs Instrument Cable: Why You Cannot Swap ThemSpeaker cables and instrument cables often share the same plugs but are built for different jobs. Mixing them up can cause noise or damage.
- Speaker Cable Gauge Guide: How Thick Does It Need to Be?The right speaker cable gauge depends on run length and speaker impedance. Here is a chart for 18, 16, 14 and 12 AWG.
- Pedalboard Patch Cables: Length, Plugs and LayoutPatch cables affect how tidy your board is, how much space it needs and, in some setups, how your guitar sounds.
Pro audio guides
Balanced vs Unbalanced Audio: Why Noise Gets InBalanced connections reject most noise picked up along the cable. Unbalanced ones do not. Here is how that works and when it matters.
Phantom Power Explained: What +48V DoesPhantom power is a 48 volt supply sent down a microphone cable to run condenser mics. Here is how it works and how to use it safely.
How to Fix Ground Loop Hum in Your Audio SetupA steady low hum in your speakers is usually a ground loop. Here is how to find the source and remove it safely.
DMX Cable vs Mic Cable: Can You Use XLR for Lights?DMX cables and microphone cables look alike but are built to different specifications. Here is why swapping them causes flicker.
About this site
This address used to be an online instrument store. The store has closed, and nothing is sold here. The site is now an independent guide to cables and pro audio. Some links are affiliate links, as explained in the disclosure. Read more about the site.