How To Build A 1/4" TS Unbalanced To Male XLR Adapter Cable

Product page: www.lmcasesonline.com/1-4-ts-...
This video shows the construction of 1/4" TS to Male XLR adapter cable. This cable allows non balanced sources like a guitar or a keyboard to connect to a balanced XLR input. The wiring does not use the "cold" connection (pin 3) in the XLR.
Pinout:
1/4" Tip: XLR Pin 2
1/4" Sleeve: XLR Pin 1

[@petercheney8350]

Without using the cable sheild (braid) connected to ground terminals on either/both plugs, you're running the signal unshielded and therefore risk picking up RF noise in your signal. Might be OK for very short runs and where there's little or no RF interference but on longer runs RF interference will be problematic. Far better to ditch the white wire in favour of the braided shield your blue signal wire.

[@MrBenoit1909]

Pin 1 and 3 must be twisted together and pin 2 connected normally for a unbalance to balanced trs to xlr connector

[@therealtinmanable]

Thank you.

[@jeffiot]

as a total beginner with these sort of things, would this be safe to do to connect a guitar to a rodecaster pro? I don't know much about electronics, but worried that due to the +48 the rodecaster could be damaged or even worse the guitar could become electrified? perhaps I'm just being paranoid.

[@billylaguardia]

You should use a direct box.

[@Feldspar__]

Nice technique. I approve of all the flux. If I'm using a single conductor cable like Mogami W2524, would it be acceptable to run the hot/signal to pin 2 on the XLR and the ground/drain to Pin 3 on the XLR?

[@martesmywhat1920]

I got SURE BETA 57A. microphone is a XLR. but my kareoke speakers reciber is TS. .CAN I APPLY THIS PRACTICE ON IT. I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. THANKS

[@billylaguardia]

No. You microphone requires a balanced input. Also, your 1/4" input on your speaker is probably line level (+4) vs mic level (-10).

[@RobDucharme]

So I have a live rig that is about to get upgraded to run 5 lines out. Because I am a fan of simplicity (easy setup/tear down), I'm going to be building sort of a breakout box on the side of the rig. I have an audio interface with a LOT of outputs. So 3 line out cables to front of house will be male TS to male XLR (as far as I understand it, this eliminates the need for the venues to provide a DI box)(even though I do have my own), and the other two lines out will be going to a two-channel amp on stage and will simply be male to female TS. So from the audio interface, 5 male TS lines out to the breakout box, which become three male XLR and two female TS ports. The point of all this is so I can hard-install the rack-mount audio interface into my station, and have the lines run to that breakout box. (hopefully I'm painting a clear picture here). And then never have to plug them in on the interface all the time, because that'd be a huge pain in the ass - there's so many outputs back there that I'd need a mirror and flashlight to see which outputs were which.. lol The question is, since I already own two very short right angle TS cables, can I just cut off one end, strip the wires and go to pins 1-2 on a male XLR chassis jack? And then buy 3 more R/A TS male ends (all 5 coming out of my audio interface), plus the 3 male XLR and two female TS chassis jacks for the breakout box... Am I going to run into any sound problems here? The cables will be less than 3 feet each.

[@billylaguardia]

You should be fine with this set up. The only thing you need to verify is the configuration of the 1/4” jacks on your interface - balanced or unbalanced. This will dictate whether you use TS or TRS connectors. Generally the line level outputs on interfaces are balanced - meaning TRS. Which in your case is a good thing since the final connection to FOH is XLR. The other thing to consider is that you are feeding FOH line level signal via XLR. This in theory should be fine however depending on the venues you play, the line level via XLR may overload their console. This where the DI come into place in terms of output level, ground lift, and a pad if need be. The only other thing I would consider is using a rack panel vs a bundle of cables. It would be much neater. Again, just my $.02. Good luck!

[@ralorpa]

@@billylaguardia FOH?

[@IanMainBliss]

This is exactly what I need to do. Same solution. As mentioned below I want to see if they are TRS coming out of the audio interface.

[@RobDucharme]

@IanMainBliss Me from the future (well, today). I did as I said I would do, and sound guys have loved my setup. They love how all they need to do is run three lines to me and I plug them all into the same breakout box. And after the show, if I'm talking with fans and he wants to roll up his cables, he knows where they're plugged in...

[@IanMainBliss]

@@RobDucharme cool! No issues with high levels then? Mine are balanced trs outs so thats nice!

[@ZipSnipe]

Matt just called , he wants his solder back !!!!!!!

[@billylaguardia]

😂😂 shhhh don’t tell him!!

[@BenCos2018]

Early this time haha

[@billylaguardia]

I try to keep everyone on their toes!

[@BenCos2018]

@@billylaguardia lol