A Guide to Microphone Plug Types and Connectors

There are several types of microphone plugs, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. The most common types are XLR, 1/4 inch, and USB.

XLR plugs are commonly used for professional-grade microphones and are known for their durability and high-quality sound. They're often used in live performances and recording studios.

1/4 inch plugs, on the other hand, are more versatile and can be used with a variety of devices, including mixers, amplifiers, and effects processors. They're often used with dynamic microphones and are a popular choice for live performances.

USB connectors, as the name suggests, connect directly to a computer and are often used with digital microphones and audio interfaces. They're a convenient option for recording and streaming audio.

A different take: Iridium Spark Plugs

XLR connectors are a standard for transferring balanced audio among professional audio equipment. They're commonly used on professional microphones and come in different pin configurations.

A 3-pin XLR connector is the most commonly used type, while a 4-pin XLR connector is used for intercom headsets and amateur radio microphones. The 4th pin on these connectors is often used for a push-to-talk circuit or as a cough button.

You can find a variety of XLR connectors with different pin counts, including 5-pin, 6-pin, 7-pin, and 8-pin connectors. Some common uses for these connectors include microphone plugs, chassis sockets, and in-line microphone sockets.

The XLR connector is probably the best-known connector in the professional microphone context.

Most commonly used on professional microphones, the common 3-pin XLR connector is a standard for transferring balanced audio among professional audio equipment.

The 3-pin XLR connector has a sturdy housing with strain relief and a locking mechanism to protect against accidental disconnection and provide stability.

A microphone connection is always male, with pins protruding, while inputs are always female, with sockets instead of pins.

The negative pole is the ground on pin 1, and there is a small lug on the metal shell of the plug directly next to pin 1 to prevent incorrect connection by mistake.

Condenser microphones can be supplied with phantom power via XLR connections, connected to pins 2 and 3 of the XLR socket.

The XLR connector is designed with safety features, such as a leading contact on the female side, which connects the earth first and avoids high voltage peaks.

A special form of XLR connector is the mini XLR, used where small connectors are required due to limited space, often found on pocket transmitters for wireless microphones and some boundary microphones.

3.5mm TRRS connectors are most commonly found on headsets which contain two headphones and a microphone.

These connectors consist of four sections – a tip, two rings, and a sleeve.

All three of these unbalanced signals share the same reference to ground.

The pinout of 3.5mm TRS connections varies, so you might need an adapter depending on the device you're connecting to.

Multi-Pin Connectors are commonly used in radio equipment and other applications. They're available with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 pins and are often screw-on circular connectors.

These connectors were first used in the 1970s by Japanese radio manufacturers as an alternative to the German DIN connector standard. They're sometimes used for other purposes, such as DC power in radios and soldering stations.

The original Japanese manufacturer, Foster, ceased production due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. However, other manufacturers like Marushing Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd. and Chinese mainland and Taiwan manufacturers continue to produce similar connectors under various names.

The individual pin assignments to specific functions vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, making it difficult to use microphones from one brand with radios from another brand.

The Multi-Pin "Foster" Circular connector is a type of screw-on circular connector that originated in the 1970s with Japanese radio manufacturers.

These connectors were used as an alternative to the German DIN connector standard for microphone connectors on citizens band and amateur radio equipment.

They are available with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 pins, making them a versatile option for various applications.

The original Japanese manufacturer, Foster, ceased production due to the loss of factories in the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

However, Marushing Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd. in Kanagawa, Japan, still continues manufacturing this type of connector, which is a testament to its durability and reliability.

Despite being largely standardized, there is no industry standard for wiring or pin usage, which can lead to compatibility issues.

For example, microphones from different brands, such as Icom, Kenwood, and Yaesu, may not be compatible with each other, requiring the use of an adapter cable.

This highlights the importance of checking the pin assignments and compatibility before using these connectors in different applications.

TRS connectors come in 1/4" (6.35 mm), 3.5 mm, and 2.5 mm sizes, and in both mono and stereo configurations.

The most common microphone connector in consumer use is the TRS connector, also known as the phone plug.

Not all microphone plugs that appear to be stereo are actually stereo, many mono computer microphones use 3-conductor TRS 3.5 mm plugs to carry other signals.

TRS connectors have multiple uses, including carrying bias power for an electric element in some microphones.

Moonraker offers a range of microphone connectors, including the 8 Pin In-line Microphone Socket, which costs £2.99 and has 2 Loyalty Watts.

Their 8 Pin din right angle connector is also available, priced at £1.40 and with 1 Loyalty Watt. This is a great option for those who need a connector with a specific pin configuration.

MFJ offers the MFJ-5399 5 Pin Din Mic Plug, which is priced at £20.95 and has 17 Loyalty Watts. This is a more expensive option, but it's a high-quality plug that's worth considering for serious audio enthusiasts.

Quarter-Inch connectors are a common type of connection found in many audio devices.

A ¼-inch TS connector consists of two sections – a tip and a sleeve, allowing for two connections between devices.

There are a few different types of ¼-inch connectors, including TS and TRS.

The most common types of ¼-inch connectors are TS and TRS.

A ¼-inch TRS connector is capable of carrying a different type of signal compared to a TS connector.

These connectors are often used to connect microphones to devices such as mixers or amplifiers.

Microphone plugs and sockets are used to connect microphones to various devices, and come in different pin configurations. These connectors are available from various manufacturers, including Moonraker and Watson.

A 8 Pin Microphone Plug from Moonraker costs £1.50, while a 4 Pin Microphone Plug costs £1.00. A 5 Pin Microphone Chassis Socket from Moonraker costs £1.99.

The pin assignments for these connectors vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, which can lead to compatibility issues. For example, microphones from one brand may not be compatible with radios from another brand without the use of an adapter cable.

Here's a list of some common microphone plug and socket configurations:

Some connectors, like the 8 Pin din right angle connector, are available from manufacturers like Nevada. The MFJ-5399 5 Pin Din Mic Plug from MFJ costs £20.95.

These connectors are sold under various generic names, including CB connector, mobile connector, microphone connector, and power connector, but be aware that they're often misidentified as XLR connectors.

The Marushin connector type has been used in a range of applications, from DC power in 1970s Kenwood mobile radios to soldering stations from Eastern Asian manufacturers in the 1990s.

There is no industry standard for wiring or pin usage, so individual pin assignments to specific functions vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, making microphones from one brand incompatible with others without an adapter cable.

Chinese mainland and Taiwan manufacturers adopted this connector as the GX16 (16 mm) for power and avionics usage, and the Chinese GX series is used as a multi-voltage connector for soldering stations, avionics, marine equipment, etc.

Shapes & Adapters can be a game-changer for connecting devices.

In principle, all possible connectors can be adapted to a different standard.

Adapters can be used to connect a microphone with an XLR connection to a jack, for example.

However, phantom power can no longer be transmitted in this case.

The multi-pin circular connector, also known as the Marushin connector, is a popular choice for various applications.

These connectors were first used in the 1970s by Japanese radio manufacturers as an alternative to the German DIN connector standard.

They are available with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 pins and are often used for DC power, microphone connections, and soldering stations.

The original Japanese manufacturer, Foster, ceased production due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

However, Marushing Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd. in Kanagawa, Japan still continues to manufacture these connectors.

Chinese mainland and Taiwan manufacturers adopted this connector as the GX16 (16 mm) for power and avionics usage.

The Chinese GX series is used as a multi-voltage connector for soldering stations, avionics, marine equipment, and more.

Despite its widespread use, there is no industry standard for wiring or pin usage, resulting in incompatible connectors from different manufacturers.

For example, microphones from Icom, Kenwood, and Yaesu radios are incompatible with each other, requiring the use of an adapter cable.

Readers also liked: How to Use Microphone on Tiktok?

XLR cables are most commonly used to make balanced connections between two devices. This type of connection is essential for preventing noise from entering a signal.

You'll find XLR connectors on many types of pro audio equipment, including microphones, mixers, and amplifiers.

Balanced connections are a must for preventing noise, and XLR cables are the perfect solution for this.