Audio Connector and Cable Standards

[Craig Maier]

Audio Connection Standards (Connectors)

(Connectors and Cables)

1. Balanced "XLR" (Cannon) Standard
A. Pin # 1 = Shield
B. Pin # 2 = Signal + (Signal Hot)
C. Pin # 3 = Signal - (Signal Cold)

2. 1/4 inch Stereo Phone Plug (TRS) for Balanced Audio Circuits
A. Tip = Signal + (Signal Hot)
B. Ring = Signal - (Signal Cold)
C. Sleeve = Shield

3. 1/4 inch Mono Phone Plug (TR) for Unbalanced Audio Circuits
A. Tip = Signal + (Hot)
B. Sleeve = Signal - (Shield & Signal Return Path)

4. RCA / Phono Plug

1. Tip = Signal + (Hot)
2. Sleeve = Signal - (Shield & Signal Return Path)

5. RCA Phono Plug Color Codes
A. Red = Audio, Right Channel
B. White = Audio, Left Channel
C. Yellow = Composite Video
D. Orange = Digital Audio (S/PDIF {Sony/Philips Digital
Interface Format})
E. Green = Y (Component Video - YPbPr)
F. Blue = Cb or Pb (Component Video - YPbPr)
G. Red = Cr or Pr (Component Video - YPbPr)

6. Amphenol 3 Pin Balanced Microphone Connector
A. Pin Home = Shield
B. Pin Forum = Signal + (Signal Hot)
C. Pin Blogs = Signal - (Signal Cold)

7. Amphenol 4 Pin Microphone Connector (Balanced and Unbalanced)
A. Pin Home = Shield
B. Pin Forum = + (Hot) Unbalanced (Note: Unbalanced output is
with respect to the Shield)
C. Pin Blogs = Signal + (Hot) Balanced
D. Pin Groups = Signal - (Cold) Balanced
8. DIN 5 Pin Connector (Tape Deck I / O Connector
(13.2 mm diameter)
A. Pin Home = Right Channel Record Input
B. Pin Forum = Shield & Signal Common)
C. Pin Blogs = Right Channel Playback Output
D. Pin Groups = Left Channel Record Input
E. Pin Uncategorized Groups = Left Channel Playback Output

9. 1 / 8 inch (3.5 mm) Mono Phone Plug (TR)
A. Tip = + (Hot)
B. Sleeve = - (Shield & Signal Return Path)

10. 1 / 8 inch (3.5 mm) Stereo Phone Plug {The type used on most Sound Cards}
A. Tip = Left Channel + (Hot)
B. Ring = Right Channel - (Hot)
C. Sleeve = Shield & Signal Common

11. 1 / 8 inch (3.5 mm) Microphone Input Plug (TRS) {The type used on most Sound Cards}
A. Tip = Signal + (Hot)
B. Ring = Phantom Power (~3 to 4 Volts @ ~ 0.75 to 1.5 mA)
C. Sleeve = Shield & Circuit Common

12. Modular Telephone Jack Wiring (- 48 Volt, 4 terminal, 2 line system / United States)
A. Red* or Blue or Blue with White Stripe = Line Home (negative) (Hot)
B. Green* or White or White with Blue Stripe = Line Home (positive)
(Common)
C. Yellow* or Orange or Orange with White Stripe = Line Forum - (Hot)
D. Black* or White or White with Orange Stripe = Line Forum + (Common)
* Denotes the most standard color code


13. Standard USB (Universal Serial Bus) Pinout and Color Code
A. Pin Home = Vbus (5 Volts @ 500 mA) (Red Wire)
B. Pin Groups = Vbus Ground Return Conductor (Black Wire)
C. Pin Blogs = Data + (Green Wire)
D. Pin Forum = Data – (White Wire)
Note: Data + and Data – Conductors are a Twisted Pair

1. 3.5 mm Phone style Jack Pinout (same as 1/8 inch phone jacks)

(also referred to as TRRS plugs)
A. Pin Home (Tip) = Left Channel Output
B. Pin Forum (1st Ring) = Right Channel Output
C. Pin Blogs (2^nd Ring) = Ground/Common
D. Pin Groups (Sleeve) = Microphone Input

15. Stereo Phono Cartridge Wiring Color Standard
A. Red = Right Channel Signal (Hot)
B. Green = Right Channel Signal Return
C. White = Left Channel Signal (Hot)
D. Black = Left Channel Signal Return


16. 2.5 mm *3/32”) Stereo Phone Plug* {used on some mobile phones}
A. Tip = Left Channel + (Hot)
B. Ring = Right Channel - (Hot)
C. Sleeve = Shield & Signal Common
*Note: This type of connector is sometimes used to deliver dc
power to an electronic device