Below an overview of the most common used cables within the audio world
Unbalanced
The unbalanced cables are commonly used like the “jack-jack” (for synth or guitar/bass) or the cinch (RCA, tulip) cables. The small patch cables for a Doepfer system are unbalanced as well.
![](https://electronics.koncon.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/unbalanced_2-1024x346.jpg)
![](https://electronics.koncon.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/unbalanced_4-1024x254.jpg)
Balanced
Microphone cables, the XLR-cables, are balanced.
![](https://electronics.koncon.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/balanced_3.jpg)
![](https://electronics.koncon.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/balanced_2-1024x218.jpg)
Split cables
If the output of a mixer or other device has to be split into two separate signals, we use split cables. An examples below.
![](https://electronics.koncon.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/jack_split-1024x405.jpg)
In mixing-consoles it is possible to ‘insert’ effects. Belwo the example of an insert cable.
![](https://electronics.koncon.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/jack_insert-1024x317.jpg)