#Xlr connector pinout series#

The IEC standardised the dimensions of the XLR type connector but specified a very loose tolerance for the distance from the end of the female contact carrier to the body of the connector. This allowed a higher density of connectors on a panel. It is amusing that XLR has become the generic term since what everyone else copied was the XL and not the XLR! The XLR line also was the first to introduce smaller rectangular flanges on the panel mounting versions of the connector. No other company has copied this feature. They called this new version the XLR series. Later Cannon modified the female end only to put the contacts in a Resilient polychloroprene compound. This is the connector others such as Switchcraft and later Neutrik have copied. Since pin 1 was used for the cable shield this greatly reduced the chance for hum or buzz as connectors were plugged and unplugged. One of the great features of this connector is that the female pin 1 contact was placed forward in the shell and thus made connection first and broke connection last.

#Xlr connector pinout series#

Cannon rearranged the pins and added a latch, and the XL (X series with Latch) was born. The X connector was similar to the current connector but it had no latch.

Originally developed by Cannon (now ITT Cannon) the connector was derived from some of its older predecessors, the O, P, UA and X connectors from the Cannon range. XLR connectors are superficially similar to the older, smaller, and less rugged DIN connector range, but are not physically compatible with them. Mini XLR connectors are also available with 3, 4 or 5 pins. XLR connectors can have other numbers of pins besides three – models with 4, 5, 6, and 7 pins have been made, but 3 and 5 pin models are the most common. The initials “XLR” have nothing to do with the pinout of the connector. Many companies now make XLR connectors the most notable being Neutrik and Switchcraft. The connector was originally called the “Cannon X” series, subsequent versions added a Latch (“Cannon XL”) and then a Rubber compound surrounding the contacts, which led to the abbreviation XLR. Cannon who was the founder of Cannon Electric in Los Angeles, California. The connector is often known as a cannon plug or cannon connector in reference to its original manufacturer, James H. The XLR connector is used for various audio purposes including microphones, loudspeakers, and even lighting.