Audio Cables and Adapters
XLR, 1/4-inch TRS and TS, RCA and 3.5 mm audio cables and adapters from ProX, Hosa, Mogami, WELX, Adam Hall and Neutrik, for connecting DJ mixers, controllers, powered speakers, interfaces and studio gear. Not sure what your gear needs? See our pro audio terms glossary or call 1-800-700-4542.
Related categories: XLR Microphone Cables, RCA Cables, Patch Cables, Audio Cable Snakes, TRUE1 Cables, Cable Management.
Which cable connects my DJ mixer or controller to powered speakers?
Match the master output on the mixer or controller to the input on the speaker. Club mixers usually have balanced XLR master outputs; many entry-level controllers have RCA outputs only. Most powered speakers accept XLR or 1/4-inch TRS on a combo jack.
| Output on your gear | Cable you need | Examples we carry |
|---|---|---|
| XLR master out (balanced) | XLR female to XLR male | ProX XC-DXLR10 dual pair, ProX XC-XLR25FR right-angle |
| 1/4-inch TRS booth or master out (balanced) | 1/4-inch TRS male to XLR male | ProX XC-DSXM10 dual pair, ProX XC-SXM15 |
| RCA master out (unbalanced) | RCA to XLR male, or RCA to 1/4-inch TS | WELX CR RT dual RCA to dual XLR male, Hosa CPR201, ProX XC-DPR05 |
| 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) out on a phone, tablet or laptop | 3.5 mm TRS to dual XLR male, or 3.5 mm TRS to dual RCA | WELX RXC, WELX RX, Hosa CMR225, ProX XCP-CMR06 |
What is the difference between balanced and unbalanced cables?
Balanced cables (XLR and 1/4-inch TRS) carry the signal on two conductors inside a shield, and the input they plug into cancels the noise picked up along the way. That makes them the right choice for long runs from a booth to the speakers or from the stage to the mixing position. Unbalanced cables (RCA and 1/4-inch TS) are fine for short runs, such as a turntable to a mixer, but pick up hum and buzz over longer distances. A balanced cable only stays balanced when the output and the input are both balanced.
What is the difference between TRS and TS?
Look at the plug. A TS plug (tip, sleeve) has one insulating ring and carries one unbalanced channel, which is why instrument cables use it. A TRS plug (tip, ring, sleeve) has two rings and carries either one balanced mono signal or a stereo pair, as on headphones. So a TRS to XLR cable carries one balanced channel, while a TRS to dual RCA cable such as the ProX XC-SYR05 splits a stereo output into left and right.
Can I use an instrument cable to connect a speaker?
Not between an amplifier and a passive speaker. Instrument and patch cables are thin, shielded cables built for low-level signals; the output of a power amplifier needs speaker cable with heavier conductors, usually with speakON connectors. Powered speakers are the opposite: they take a line-level audio cable such as XLR or 1/4-inch TRS, not speaker cable.
Which adapters should I keep in my gig bag?
A few adapters solve most surprises at a venue: 3.5 mm to 1/4-inch TRS adapters (Hosa GMP-112 and GPM-103), a 3.5 mm TRS to dual RCA breakout (Hosa CMR225 or ProX XCP-CMR06), a dual 1/4-inch TS to dual RCA cable (Hosa CPR201), and an XLR female to dual XLR male Y cable (Hosa YXM-121) to send one output to two inputs. ProX XC-3MDF and XC-3FDM panel mount adapters are for building XLR connections into a case, booth or wall panel.
How long should my cables be?
Measure the actual route, around the booth, under the table and along the floor, then add slack so nothing is pulled tight. Use the length filter to compare, and keep unbalanced RCA and TS runs short; for long runs, balanced XLR is the safer choice.
Do you carry DJ booth snakes?
Yes. WELX WLX2 and WLX4 booth snakes bundle the audio cables for a two-player or four-player CDJ setup and a mixer, which keeps a permanent booth tidy. For several channels from the stage to the mixing position, see Audio Cable Snakes.
Can you help me pick the right cable?
Yes. Tell us the model numbers at both ends of the cable and the distance between them, and we will match the connectors. Call 1-800-700-4542. Items stocked in our Los Angeles warehouse ship the same day when ordered by noon Pacific. For more on connector types, see our pro audio terms glossary.