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anonymous 27 October 2005

Yo guys, i've got a real newbie question here.
What is the difference between TRS cables and TS cables?
The reason I ask is because I just realized that I've been using TRS cables coming out of my Roland Synth, straight into me cheapo patchbay, then from there into a pair of TS cables on the other side of the patchbay into whatever pre i'm running the synth to.

Am I losing signal, and should I be using TS cables out of my synths?
What broght this up is I just got a RNC and it makes a big deal about balanced and unbalanced signals and stuff like that.

I've never really paid any attention to this kind of stuff. If I plugged in a cable, and got a sound, i figured it was all good?

Thanks for any info.

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Boswell Thu, 02/04/2021 - 05:17

JoshGray, post: 467249, member: 52471 wrote:
I wonder what happens if you insert a stereo cable into the mono jack?:p

It depends on the type of "mono" jack. In some, the ring gets shorted to the sleeve. In others, there is a momentary short during insertion, and then the ring is open circuit on full insertion.

I'm preparing a fuller explanation of jack and cable types, and when they should and should not be used. Watch this space.

Boswell Mon, 02/08/2021 - 08:53

JoshGray, post: 467356, member: 52471 wrote:
By the way, I choose TRS Wires for speakers, has anyone heard of this company? have any reviews?
http://www.mogamicable.com/category/products/gold-TRS-TRS_3_6_10_20.php

Mogami is a well-known, reputable manufacturer of audio cables. What you have chosen there is microphone cable, which is not really suitable for use for driving speakers.

There is no need to use TRS plugs for speakers. If you have to use jack connectors, then TS plugs are all that is necessary, since there would be no connection to the ring contacts in any case.

If you have a choice, for loudspeakers, I would select another type of connector that exerts a tighter grip on the moving parts. Examples are 4mm binding posts or the Neutrik Speakon connector range.

JoshGray Thu, 02/11/2021 - 08:28

Boswell, post: 467357, member: 29034 wrote:
Mogami is a well-known, reputable manufacturer of audio cables. What you have chosen there is microphone cable, which is not really suitable for use for driving speakers.

There is no need to use TRS plugs for speakers. If you have to use jack connectors, then TS plugs are all that is necessary, since there would be no connection to the ring contacts in any case.

If you have a choice, for loudspeakers, I would select another type of connector that exerts a tighter grip on the moving parts. Examples are 4mm binding posts or the Neutrik Speakon connector range.

Thank you for help!

dvdhawk Thu, 02/11/2021 - 18:06

I'm glad I wasn't around for all that 2005 nonsense, but THIS is still relevant.

"If you look at this Switchcraft Jack Schematics page you'll find the 39 Most Common pinout / uses for 1/4" connectors. (I and IV being the simplest version of TS and TRS respectively) The others have various combinations of contacts and separate switching contacts as well, depending on the job they were designed to do.

And the problem is, from the outside they all basically look this.

So it's important to have the right cables / connectors for the job. Like Link said sometimes a TRS cable will work in an application that doesn't require the Ring connection. Other times it just exposes you to a whole new array of problems. With more than 39 outcomes, it's pretty easy to see why having the right male connector matters."

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