Home Studio Cables and Their Uses

1. XLR Cable

XLR cables carry balanced microphone or line-level signals. They have three pins: one for the positive signal, one for the negative signal, and one for the ground (shielding).

Shop Sweetwater – Most sold: Cable Pro XLR

2. TRS 1/4″ Jack to 1/4″ Jack Cable

TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) cables are commonly used for instrument and line-level connections, such as guitars or synthesizers. They have a ground connection at the end of the cable.

Shop Musician’s Friend – Most sold: Mogami Gold Studio

3. RCA Cable

RCA cables are used to connect audio components, such as CD players or turntables, with receivers or amplifiers.

Shop Amazon – Most sold: Monoprice Performance

4. MIDI Cable

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) cables transmit electronic data between digital musical instruments and computers, controllers, or other devices.

Shop Reverb – Most sold: M-Audio Uno

5. USB Cables

USB cables can transmit data and power, making them essential for connecting microphones, audio interfaces, or digital instruments to computers.

Shop Thomann – Most sold: Presonus

6. HDMI Cables

HDMI cables transmit both audio and video signals between devices, making them necessary for multimedia setups.

Shop Monoprice – Most sold: Premium High Speed HDMI

7. Ethernet Cables

Ethernet cables provide a stable, wired internet connection essential for uploading or downloading large files.

Shop Amazon – Most sold: Cable Matters Cat6

8. Power Cables

Power cables transfer electricity to various components in your home studio, ensuring they have a constant power source.

Shop Guitar Center – Most sold: Belkin

9. Speaker Cables

Speaker cables transmit audio signals between amplifiers and speakers, ensuring a clear and powerful sound.

Shop Monoprice – Most sold: Premium Speaker Cable

10. Coaxial Digital Audio Cables

Coaxial digital audio cables transmit high-quality, lossless digital signals between components like CD players or satellite receivers and amplifiers or speakers.

Shop Sweetwater – Most sold: Mogami DigiCoax