Balanced Connections

Brief explanation of balanced connections.

Unbalanced leads have two connections in total:- one conductor which is +ve and a screen (ground). A regular electric guitar would use an unbalanced lead.

Balanced leads have three connections in total:- two conductors where one is +ve, the other is -ve and a screen (ground). A pro microphone or equipment link would use a balanced lead.

Most pro rack and studio gear will feature both unbalanced and balanced sockets for flexibility.

Basically the mono signal is split into a positive wave and a negative wave (balanced) by the equipment's output circuitry which then travels along their respective conductors to the other piece of equipment's input circuitry where the two signals are put back together. The idea is to minimise the possibility of interference or 'noise'. Both unbalanced and balanced connections are mono signals so if your equipment has left and right channels you would need two leads for a stereo connection. You can connect balanced equipment to unbalanced with the correct leads, although the connection will be unbalanced.

There should be little or no difference in signal quality between balanced and unbalanced connections if using quality cables and connectors, but balanced leads are better if there is a possiblility of interference or for long runs.

If in doubt, please ask.