Are XLR Cables Directional?

baneste

baneste

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At the risk of revealing the depth of my ignorance on this and other "technical" subjects, are XLR cables directional? In other words, is there any reason that there would be a difference in sound if I use a cable designated as "XLR Male to XLR Female" with the XLR Female connector at the source and the XLR Male connector at the terminus? In case it matters, the cable in question is made from Canare Starquad wire.

Thanks in advance for your patience and help with a noob question.
 
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I don't think they could be. The shield would need to be connected at both ends for the cable to be balanced. Positive, negative, and shield. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Regards,
Jim
 
No, XLR cables are not directional. It does not matter if it says "XLR Male to XLR Female" or "XLR Female to XLR Male", they are the same thing.
 
Am I correct on the wiring? I'm going from failing memory here!
Regards,
Jim
 
Thanks all for your answers. The explanation that they can't be directional makes sense to me.
 
ehoove said:
I don't think they could be. The shield would need to be connected at both ends for the cable to be balanced. Positive, negative, and shield. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Regards,
Jim
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ehoove said:
Am I correct on the wiring? I'm going from failing memory here!
Regards,
Jim
Click to expand...

The shield wire isn't necessary for a XLR cable to convey a balanced signal. Only signal + and - are absolutely necessary for that.
 
A "directional" cable is typically one with the shield floating at one end. Opinions sometimes differ if the floating end should be at the upstream or downstream end of the cable. IMO, the arrow on a "directional" cable generally points to the end where the shield is floating.

So, it would be possible to have a directional XLR with respect to a cable made where the shield is floating at one end, but it's a little convoluted because of the male and female connectors used. However, AFAIK, commercially-produced cables are typically made with the shield connected at both ends thereby not directional in this regard.

Note that Rane's cable suggestions for XLR balanced connections are to connect the shield at the input end of the cable (connected to the source) and to float the shield at the opposite end.
 
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The cables aren't directional, but it is somewhat standard to use a female jack for input and a male jack for output.
 
I remember someone posting here a while back, a link to some XLR end connectors that were BOTH male and female. There was a cleverly-designed way of sliding back part of the connector, to change it over from one to the other. You couldn't/wouldn't do that, if they were directional.

Just pointing this out, as further "weight of evidence" that these are not directional. From what I've seen of drawings/diagrams, they shouldn't be. :no:
 
whoaru99 said:
A "directional" cable is typically one with the shield floating at one end. Opinions sometimes differ if the floating end should be at the upstream or downstream end of the cable. IMO, the arrow on a "directional" cable generally points to the end where the shield is floating.

So, it would be possible to have a directional XLR with respect to a cable made where the shield is floating at one end, but it's a little convoluted because of the male and female connectors used. However, AFAIK, commercially-produced cables are typically made with the shield connected at both ends thereby not directional in this regard.

Note that Rane's cable suggestions for XLR balanced connections are to connect the shield at the input end of the cable (connected to the source) and to float the shield at the opposite end.
Click to expand...

If the shield is lifted at one end they would then be considered Directional. Correct?
Regards,
Jim
 
RichPA said:
The cables aren't directional, but it is somewhat standard to use a female jack for input and a male jack for output.
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Arkay said:
I remember someone posting here a while back, a link to some XLR end connectors that were BOTH male and female. There was a cleverly-designed way of sliding back part of the connector, to change it over from one to the other. You couldn't/wouldn't do that, if they were directional.

Just pointing this out, as further "weight of evidence" that these are not directional. From what I've seen of drawings/diagrams, they shouldn't be. :no:
Click to expand...

I agree they are generally not directional in off-the-shelf products, but if they were constructed with one end of the shield lifted they would be a "directional" cable.

In the case of a standard XLR with male and female connectors, you could pair the directionality of the shield connection with the connector sex to preclude connecting it backwards in most cases.

However, with the convertable connections now available, it sort of throws a monkey wrench into the concept of having the shield connected at the source and floating at the other end because then you'd need markings on the cable to keep it straight.

Again, note Rane's somewhat convoluted recommendations about shield connections in balanced interconnects. At first they say connecting the shield at both ends is the absolute best and proper way to do it...assuming the equipment is properly designed in regard to chassis ground vs signal ground. But, then go on to say much equipment isn't correct in that regard. So, they eventually seem to end up saying the safe bet is to float one end of the shield as shown in the large pictoral table of cable wiring/connections. Rane cabling
 
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