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What is the difference between balanced and unbalanced cables?
Unbalanced cables consist of a single center conductor surrounded by a shield. Both the center conductor and the shield carry the audio signal. The shield generally eliminates most external interference, although some may filter through. Unbalanced connections offer acceptable performance, as long as the cable length is kept to a maximum of about 30 feet. 1/4" Tip-Sleeve (TS) and RCA cables are the most common unbalanced cables. Unbalanced connections are typically found in guitar amps, effects processors, and home hi-fi systems.
A balanced cable has two center conductor wires surrounded by a shield. The two conductor wires carry identical signals of opposite polarity, while the shield does not carry any signal. The opposite polarity of the 2 conductors causes any noise that filters through the shield to be canceled. As a result, balanced lines are quieter (less noise) and are capable of maintaining high signal quality on cable runs of 100-150 feet or more (depending on local conditions). 1/4" Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) and XLR (microphone) cables are the most common balanced cables. Due to their superior signal quality, balanced connections are standard for high-end applications (e.g., studios).
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