INSTRUMENT CABLES vs SPEAKER CABLES: What's the Difference?

[@AudioUniversity]

Need help setting up your studio? Check out these free resources I've created for you... Recording Studio Checklist: audiouniversityonline.com/free-home-studio-checklist/ Speaker Placement Guide: audiouniversityonline.com/speaker-placement-guide/

[@tonyalfano2479]

Been playing guitar for over 50 years and I am an audio file and I never knew the difference between the cables. I always wanted to know. I’m glad I tripped upon your video. Thanks so much. Makes perfect sense.

[@quincidents9628]

What kind of audio file are you WAV? mp3? AAC?

[@tuviaashkenazi8109]

Same I’m blown away 😭

[@SoLoudAudio]

Spent 5 years mixing this song, I think I'm an MP3 now 😢

[@ppeterso22]

Like others have stated, I’ve been using audio equipment for 40 years and embarrassed to say I didn’t know the difference! Most recently I’ve been feeding the line out from a 16mm projector to an all tube head and the noise was just like your example! Thanks for this!

[@fiveish77]

I’ve been playing guitar for 16 years and never even knew there was a difference until last night. Luckily I figured this out right when I got a brand new tube head.

[@chrisbrownie6323]

You are blowing my mind with your content! I never knew there was a difference. This is going to help fix the buzzing in my studio. Thanks again!

[@bartlebug]

Kyle, your videos are some of the clearest, most informative, and straightforward videos online. Great job! Thank you.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you like them, bartlebug! Thank you!

[@FilipLackovicMusic]

Great video Kyle, just what I needed :)

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching.

[@neilpeel8048]

Question: Are XLR speaker cables the same as microphone cables? I see XLR cables being advertised as "Not a Microphone cable"? But they look the same. Are they not the same? Love all your videos, liked and subbed!

[@ELPERRITOENEAS]

Había visto docenas de tutoriales, pero este los rebaso.. inmediatamente obtuve todas mis respuestas. Conciso y al grano. Merece muchas visualizaciones. Bravo!

[@AudioUniversity]

¡Gracias! Me alegro de que el video haya sido útil. (Por favor disculpe mi español.)

[@tryshchenko]

The quality of your content is amazing, thank you!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Oleksandr! I’m glad you’re finding the channel helpful! Let me know if you have a request for a future video topic!

[@gavinpearcey]

I have previously done the calculations in a Reddit threat for cable breakdown of using an instrument cable to run speaker signal, and the long and short of it is, if you are powering more than one 25 watt speaker at full power, you run a decent chance of melting your cable. At low volume, you will not drive enough current to damage the cable, but as you increase volume, the current goes up, and the wire resistance will cause the instrument cable to heat up enough that it could be damaged. Speaker wire is almost always what you want to use, and considering how cheap it is to make your own, there's no reason not to use it.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for this info, Gavin Pearcey!

[@TomCee53]

Thanks for adding this. There’s very little chance of damaging the amp, unless the wire catches fire, which is very unlikely, unless it is buried under a rug to capture a lot of heat. Long before the fire, the small gauge of the center conductor will be attenuating the signal, maybe not noticeable in a guitar speaker, but why take the chance.

[@ArchoN950]

This is a very informative and concise video, great work! I have one question; since the two types look virtually identical from the outside, is there any way you can tell them apart without opening them up? Sometimes even when I do open/unscrew them, the compartment is insulated so I can't see if it's one or two wires :(

[@csavvthebarber3889]

I have the exact same question

[@tecateconquest]

Thank you for such a short and visual representation of what the difference is, this helped me out a lot.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful, Christian! Thanks for watching.

[@nrfadlh]

thanks Kyle your last word clear my confusion about speaker cable vs instrument cable.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help!

[@bilnabiln]

Awesome content- love how they’re direct and short in duration. Question though: for connecting an amp’s line out directly into an audio interface, would you use a speaker cable?

[@AudioUniversity]

For line level signals, use an instrument cable. A speaker cable is only used when carrying speaker level signals from the amplifier's power output.

[@realworldmusicproductions6441]

Thank you so much, I have been doing work with home music recording work stations or desks, and I have never had any knowledge regarding this matter. I figured they were, however, I didn't know just why though. Excellent video, to the point, clear and thorough. I thank you sir, rock on brother

[@sparkside217]

So monitors with their own power supply connected to something like a scarlet 2i2 - speaker or instrument cables?

[@AudioUniversity]

Good question! Instrument cable, because it is a line level signal. Ideally, you would use a 1/4-Inch TRS cable in this case. audiouniversityonline.com/audio-connectors/

[@lordanrautraut5655]

Thanks for the important tips...now I know what to do..

[@islamsuperchannel]

what the best brand speaker cable for guitar speaker CABINET sir? any recommended? thanks great video ❤

[@Ehrmann_Gregsson]

Thanks for the explanation, helps a lot!

[@imonarch777]

I'm loving this channel Thank you for this valuable information. Hope you're having a good week.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Robert! I'm glad you're enjoying the channel! Check out the website for more: audiouniversityonline.com/ Hope you're having a good week, too!

[@ChasingGrace3]

Wow! Thank you for clarifying so simply what I never understood! Can you explain the difference between a TRS and a TS cable? Because I thought my powered PA speakers only functioned with a TRS cable, but may that was because the TS cable I tried to use was an instrument cable instead of a speaker cable. Will it hurt or help to use a TRS cable instead of a TS speaker cable?

[@AudioUniversity]

If you’re using a powered speaker (that connects to the wall for power), you should use a TRS cable or XLR cable. TS speaker cables are for passive speakers. Learn more about powered vs passive speakers here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqWwgX5unLNmjpI

[@ostrovmusic]

Thank you Kyle, very helpful video!

[@opiedrums6969]

What about a mic cable vs a speaker cable?

[@mynameisdanman]

incredible video. thank you! this makes so much sense when laid out so nicely.

[@theacupuncturist4683]

Nice explanation and video quality! But are the signal paths meant to be the same for each cable? So one for the signal (tip) and one for the grounding/shield (sleeve)?

[@AhmedMohammed-iq1zq]

Oh Sir , could you make a video for us how to choose the specifications of the speaker we buy dependent on the dimensions of a place ?

[@AudioUniversity]

I will try! It’s a complicated subject with many variables. What type of space are you trying to cover?

[@GeorgeeMadrid]

Hey Kyle, really enjoying your videos. My band updated our PA system. Mixer: Mackie Profxv3 and Mackie active speakers/monitors. The monitor outs on the mixer are 1/4 inch bal/unbalanced. Do we use 1/4 inch speaker cables or instrument cables for the monitors?

[@AudioUniversity]

In this case, the signal being transmitted is line level - so you’ll use either an instrument cable (unbalanced) or a TRS cable or a TRS-to-XLR adapter (balanced). Learn more about balanced audio here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJjJi5Vnpap8qLc Speaker cables are only used for passive speakers.

[@GeorgeeMadrid]

@@AudioUniversity thanks!!

[@normanspurgeon5324]

It was great, what was covered- what were the two wires shown on the speaker cable? was the red, the hot, and the black, the ground? could this be wired to a guitar jack?

[@AudioUniversity]

The speaker cable is designed to connect an amp to a speaker. So, the red is meant to be positive and the black is meant to be negative.

[@chrisrichford3997]

Hey great video, Is there a way to tell the difference without opening up the cable? would a multi-meter give a different reading for instance? I have a bunch of old cables and no idea which is which!

[@joefaber1381]

I do sound for a band that uses old Crown 2400W amplifiers and JBL speakers. When I say old, I mean more than 25 years old. Their system will use from 1 to 3 speakers per side depending on the job and with big jobs they include bass bins. They also use old wedge monitors (4). They use various gauge cables ranging from 12 gauge to 18 gauge. My questions are, 1 - what is the best gauge cable for such a system? and 2 - does it matter that they mix gauges?

[@giokyo9465]

Quick question, I'm a little confused on when i should use speaker cables. Is it only for an amp into passive speakers? what about a mixer and powered speaker?

[@jixxxxer17]

is there anyway to know if the cable is a speaker vs an instrument cable just by looking at it ? I know on an instrument cable you can unscrew the sleeve and look but I have this new cable, it may have come with an amp head i bought but not certain, but there is no sleeve it's just formed plastic no way to look inside. Great video and so helpful, Peace !

[@AudioUniversity]

You MIGHT be able to measure impedance with a multimeter. I'm not certain, but I would expect to measure the same impedance on each connection in a speaker cable and different impedance on each connection of an instrument cable. Good luck! Let me know if this works!

[@winstonraygargar4033]

Sir I have a question... Instrument Cable direct plug in, in the passive mixer and my speaker is active.. Is it safe for my active speakers and passive mixer to direct plug in by using instrument cable? Thank you for the answer

[@VinhTran-rp2mk]

Thank you very much Kyle The information is very helpful.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Vinh!

[@deltazed7572]

what a professional

[@lamenamethefirst]

I like what you're doing. There's a lot of people in audio who don't know what they're talking about but you're not one of them. I was planning to make a couple of videos on myths and misconceptions in audio. Maybe you can do a series on that.

[@lamenamethefirst]

I'd just like to add that some powered speakers will require balanced cables like you'd use for microphones that are in fact properly shielded. For 1/4 inch, these would be TRS connectors and they would carry a signal that's much lower voltage than the one shown here because the audio signal on this cable would be before amplification. In case anyone was confused about that.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks! Which myths do you think should be covered? Coincidentally, I’m posting a video this week about TS vs TRS vs TRRS.

[@lamenamethefirst]

@@AudioUniversity Some of my list would be from the perspective of sound recording for picture. But the ideas would apply across the audio world. Some of these are contentious enough for some to argue that it's opinion but for me they are definitely myths - 1. Small diaphragm mics are bad for voice. I hear this a lot and I've no idea why. While large diaphragms are preferred for vocals in the studio, over 90% of dialogue in films are recorded on small diaphragm mics. 2. True condensers are always better than electrets. In the modern world, this is totally untrue and is even used as a marketing gimmick by manufacturers. 3. Light microphones are cheap or indicative of poor build quality. Sennheiser MKH50 has entered the chat. 4. Class D amps sound bad. I've heard this one a lot among the audiophile community. 5. Portable vocal booths are good. In most cases, they cause more harm than good. Placing the back of a directional mic up against a surface that reflects sound right back into it (cause they barely absorb anything at lower frequencies) is a recipe for phase issues. I'm sure there's a lot more to cover and of course you may or may not agree with me on all of it. But perhaps it could be an interesting video idea.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for the ideas! I think we agree on all of these! Just like most things in audio, holding on to absolutes is more limiting than anything!

[@mintberrykrunch767]

Hello. Very informative about the cables. Just had a question tho. What about pedals? If you're using the 4 cable method for the fx loop what do you use? All instrument?

[@AudioUniversity]

Yes. All cables connecting pedals should be instrument cables. Only the cable from the amplifier to the speaker should be a speaker cable.

[@SamJahshan]

Excellent work. Now, is there a difference between electrical cable and speaker cable of the same gauge and length?

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks! I'm not sure what the difference (if any) would be. I've always just used speaker wire.

[@SamJahshan]

@@AudioUniversity wondering if anyone reading this knows the answer to that question.. it’s been bothering me for a while. Thank you for your input.

[@danielsan4777]

I have a question. My current home setup is as follows Mixer to powered blg speaker, then from blg speaker to a passive blg speaker Which cable should i use from the mixer to the powered speaker And which cable should I use from the powered blg speaker to a passive one? I currently have noise in the passive blg speaker. Could that be because im using an instrument cable from powered speaker into the passive speaker? Thank you

[@JesseFonarcus-kg2ht]

Great video......What cable must be used for connecting active speakers to mixer?

[@AudioUniversity]

Usually TRS or XLR cables.

[@JesseFonarcus-kg2ht]

@@AudioUniversity Thanks

[@AhmedMohamed-bf4qg]

I agree with Ahmed Mohammed on his comment and ask you Sir to explain the general rules how to determine the specifications of the speakers dependent on the natural of the place

[@AudioUniversity]

I will do my best to make a video that covers this. It’s a broad topic, so it will be a challenge! Thanks!

[@paulparra17]

Kyle could you tell me the difference between a 14 and 16 AWS other than the thickness? and which one would you recommend to connect a tube head to a cabinet. thanks

[@AudioUniversity]

I don’t believe the AWG denotes anything aside from the thickness. 14 AWG is less resistant than 16 AWG, but both will work very well.

[@jeffreygian3702]

To connect a mixer's output using xlr cable to an active speaker do you still need a speaker cable or shielded mic cable does it?

[@babistsimoris1891]

Awesome Kyle!!!

[@AudioUniversity]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Babis Tsimoris! Thanks for watching!

[@WubbzTV]

I have a question i am experiencing the buzzing from the amp to my speaker when plugged in fully. But when i pull out a 1/8th of an inch the noise goes away. I have 2 amps daisy chain one is for the low bass and other is for stero high pass. But i can tell if its the crown amps or do i need to buy more cables. Ive tried different cables and same thing happens so i dont know how to fix the buzzing

[@kevinmartin4787]

Thank you so much! I am learning an awful lot!

[@lapeppa50]

What if one were to use a DI box with a ground lift? Would you then be able to use one or no?

[@richardbloemker1495]

Wow! I'm learning something I was unaware of till now. Question: I do karaoke gigs and I have power speakers plugged into my mixer. Would I get a much cleaner and better sound using instrument cables rather than speaker cables?

[@newmaniamusic]

If you have powered speakers (ie. speakers with built in amplifiers that plug directly into your mixer, not via a separate amp) then you need instrument cables to connect your speakers to the mixer. That's because the mixer is sending a line level (unamplified/"weak") signal to the speakers and the amps in the speakers themselves are amplifying the sound.

[@anon003]

Hi, in the other video you said that TS cables are unbalanced and that they only have 1 signal wire and 1 shield/ground wire, but the TS speaker cable in this video has two signal wires, how is this possible? I am confused.

[@ELPERRITOENEAS]

On the second 2':10" you demonstrated a noise between your guitar and Amplifier. Where I must to use TS cable?

[@AudioUniversity]

Both a speaker cable and an instrument cable are TS cables. The difference is the construction of the cable, itself. You should use an instrument cable for connecting your guitar to your amplifier. Thanks for watching and commenting! I hope this is helpful!

[@TenTigerBeats]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mikem-mq2hh]

Nicely done.

[@TonyB2000]

Is there a way to tell an instrument from a speaker cable using a multimeter? I have some cables that I can't unscrew the jackplug to look for the screening/thicker wires. Thanks.

[@AudioUniversity]

I’m not sure, Tony. You might be able to measure the impedance of each connection. I would expect the impedance of each connection would be the same on a speaker cable and different on an instrument cable.

[@milossegrt8047]

I have 4x12 celestion speakers each is 8 ohm. which cables to get for a properly parallel connection? Gauge? THX

[@marklocsin3900]

Can I use instrument cable as device cable?

[@DadPlaysBass]

I have a small Joyo bantamp bass head amp and I tried to hook it up on my bass cabinet. Both are 4ohms. I tried using an instrument cable instead of a speaker cable and no sound came out of it. I need to buy speaker cables now to test it

[@lau_franxxe]

Is it possible that when using a speaker cable in an instrument to connect to a guitar amplifier could result in NO SOUND at all? Because this is what I've been experiencing right now. With all the searches, I concluded that the guitar cable that I'm using is actually a speaker cable.

[@srglzrmj]

ok both seve different purposes but how do you tell the difference between the cables

[@AudioUniversity]

You either have to open them and look at the cable construction or read the jacket (although they are often not labeled).

[@praneethdhanushka207]

Dear Sir, your demo is nice. I need to know that what is the difference between line level and Speaker level signal??? In what way they vary??? Amount of current??? Or energy??? Thanks

[@AudioUniversity]

Speaker level signals are used to motivate speakers and the surrounding atmosphere to vibrate. That requires a lot more current than the signals created by instruments and line level devices.

[@praneethdhanushka207]

@@AudioUniversity thanks a lot!!

[@AudioUniversity]

You’re welcome! Good question! Thanks for watching!

[@praneethdhanushka207]

Dear Sir, I like to send my audio sound track via email to you. Please can you give your email please. I am really interesting on your line. My email [e-mail].

[@AudioUniversity]

I'm happy to continue answering your questions about audio, but I am unable to review and give feedback on your work. I hope you understand!

[@skettimaggetti]

Thanks for the vid! Quick question, I have a wireless transmitter that doesn't work properly unless I plug it into the female end of a male to female quarter inch cable. (Line 6 g10 relay) However, I just realized today that it's a speaker cable, not an instrument cable. It's only 1.5 feet long, and it's only used to take my guitar signal to the transmitter. Everything else, from the wireless receiver to my multi effects pedal, and from the multi effects pedal to the amp, is all instrument cables. I played four songs front to back at band practice without any noise at all, so I feel like this setup is okay to use since I'm not going directly into the amp with the speaker cable. Would this cause any issues down the line you think?

[@AudioUniversity]

If there is no apparent noise, you’re probably good to go. How do you know it’s a speaker cable and not an instrument cable?

[@skettimaggetti]

@@AudioUniversity Thanks for the quick reply. It says speaker on the cable itself, and on my Sweetwater order history it said speaker in the description too.

[@AudioUniversity]

With the cable being so short, you’re better off than you would be with a longer cable. Still, it might be worth picking up an instrument cable if you plan to play in different places that might have more noise.

[@skettimaggetti]

@@AudioUniversity noted, thanks!

[@johnwalsh6998]

Experiment: I’m trying to connect a bare guitar speaker to the speaker cable tip and sleeve connected to my combo amp. Any reason why this won’t work? I’ve tried wiring both - and + speaker terminals to the tip and sleeve and… nothing. Ive used a guitar jack and also tried alligator clips. I’ve switched them around. It totally works when I clip them to a trs jack out of the headphone output, and when I connect to individual speaker outputs on my stereo. This is just an experiment to confirm how something works, but if a speaker cable is just two identical positive and negative terminals, it should work right?

[@sebastianochoa7780]

You're the best

[@jbccadz2779]

Hi, how would I connect my videoke modem with RCA connectors at the back to my active speaker with xlr conectors. Can i use RCA to TS connector with it?

[@AudioUniversity]

I would recommend using a DI box like this one: amzn.to/39MHfdS You can technically use an adapter instead, but it won't be a balanced connection: amzn.to/3COVmf0

[@jbccadz2779]

Thanks for the response. My speaker is bose l1 pro16 and the other one is the yamaha stagepas 1k. Would I be able to use the one that you have suggested?

[@AudioUniversity]

Yes.

[@TuneAndPlay]

How to differentiate instru cable and speaker cable

[@cjraven2399]

Can you only tell the difference between these two cables by cutting through them to see their construction?

[@AudioUniversity]

You can sometimes see the construction if you open the connector.

[@algadophoto]

Relatively true... Instrument cable is capable to serve speaker, depending on section câble. Lots of instruments cable have big section and can be used for both, I'd say below 50W there is no risk

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for sharing, Algado Photo!

[@itslorenjolley]

Thank you!!

[@WellbredNfedKembleTV]

Replacing male RCA jacks on a stereo TS to RCA cable. It's job is to carry the signal from USB interface to amplifier. There are 2 wires in one channel & a single wire in the other. New RCA male plugs have usual + - on each plug. Is this 3rd wire attached to the + or - of the RCA? The answer is proving to be elusive perhaps I'm describing it incorrectly. If you or anyone reading this can answer it Your input is much appreciated

[@PixieMinie]

So does the tone of the guitar change if i use speaker cable? Cuz i don’t really mind the noise. The buzz i quite enjoy cuz it makes me feel like loooong time ago. Times when i wasnt born lol

[@AudioUniversity]

The change to the guitar signal is very subtle. I would definitely recommend using an instrument cable, though. There will still be a bit of buzz noise even with an instrument cable. With a speaker cable, the noise is almost as loud as the signal!

[@Darren_Tay]

So... If my amp is also my speaker, then I connect my instrument cable from my guitar to my pedals. Then, should I still instrument cables to connect from my pedals to my amp?

[@AudioUniversity]

Good question! Yes. Use an instrument cable from your guitar to your pedals and from your pedals to your amplifier. A speaker cable is used to connect the output of the amplifier to the speaker. (In your case, this is built into your combo amp) I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@Darren_Tay]

@@AudioUniversity That should mean that our pedal patch cables are instrument cables and we can use that to connect back to the amp?

[@AudioUniversity]

Exactly! Patch cables between guitar pedals are just tiny 1/4” TS instrument cables.

[@NightOwlGames]

ive probably just wasted money, bought Monster instrument cable for a whopping £52 it says instrument cable it mentions Rock it mentions Guitar however it also says that its a speaker cable im confused

[@travisgulley2652]

Are there scammers on eBay that list instrument cables as speaker cables and are there knockoff speaker cables out there that are actually revealed to be instrument cables when you unscrew the plugs on them

[@AudioUniversity]

I'm not sure, Travis Gulley. Have you experienced this in the past?

[@KingFyyah]

💥💥💥💥

[@ProfessionalDad]

How the hell can you tell from the outside? They are identical

[@anthonyjohnny1470]

Very helpful! Thanks!