There are six common cable connectors when dealing with pro audio, live sound, and musical instruments. Almost all pro audio gear currently being manufactured can be connected together using cables with one or more of the six connectors described below. For balanced connections, such as microphone cables or cables that carry a line-level signal, there are TRS and XLR connectors. For unbalanced connections, such as instrument and/or phono cables, there are TS, RCA, Banana (or "MDP"), and Speakon connectors.

		TRS TRS stands for "Tip Ring Sleeve." TRS is the more accurate term when people are referring to a 1/4" balanced connector. They look like a 1/4" TS plug with an extra "ring" along the column of the connector. These two rings form three sections on the connector which are referred to as the Tip, Ring, and Sleeve. TRS connectors are used for connecting balanced equipment such as microphones or line level signals or wherever you may need to have two conductors plus a ground in one plug. Some common cables with TRS connectors are Monster's MDJ-CFX-1M and CBI's BP-6.

		XLR XLR connectors are commonly used for transmitting balanced mic and line level signals to speakers and mixers. They were originally developed by Cannon for the "Cannon XL" series which later added a Rubber compound surrounding the contacts - eventually leading to the abbreviation "XLR". Many manufacturers now produce XLR cables and connectors, the industry standard having three pins - one for a positive, one for a negative, and one for a ground connection. Rapco's SJ-3 and Monster's MDJ-X-1M are some examples of XLR cables.

		TS A TS cable is a 1/4" cable similar to the TRS connector but without the bottom "ring". With only one divider, there are only two sections - the "Tip" and the "Sleeve". The "Tip" is the carrier of the signal while the "Sleeve" is where the ground is connected. Some common examples of cables with TS connectors are guitar cables or cables for line-level instruments. Check out Hosa's GTR-518 or Monster's M-BASS-12.

		RCA These phono connectors are named after the RCA Corporation which developed many stereo systems and turntables that used these connectors. Usually there is one white (or grey) connector for the left and one red connector for the right. Sometimes there is a composite video RCA connector as well - these are usually yellow . RCA connectors are popular with mixers, CD Players, and even televisions and DVD players. See the Hosa CRA-201 for a basic RCA cable or the VRA-302 for an RCA cable with a composite video connector.

		Banana (or MDP) A banana connector (usually referred to as a banana plug for the male and a banana jack for the female) is a single-wire (one conductor) electrical connector used for joining wires to equipment. Banana plugs are also sometimes called "MDP" plugs and they inserted into the open end of "binding posts". In the world of pro audio and live sound they are sometimes used as connectors on cables that connect the power amplifier to the loudspeakers. Check out the Z-1625BP or the stand-alone MDP for a closer look.

		Speakon Speakon is one of the more recently developed audio connectors and includes a locking system that may be designed for a soldered or screw-type connection. "Female" line connectors interlock with "male" panel connectors and Speakon cables usually have identical connectors at both ends. Speakon connections are widely used in higher end PA systems and clubs for connecting speakers to power amplifiers. The Monster SP1000-S-50SP and CBI 12-50-ONA are some of our most popular cables that feature Speakon connectors.