Click here for a monthly chance to win a free $25 gift certificate!

Guide to Y-Lead & Send-Return Cable Builder
Connecting Balanced & Unbalanced
Alternate XLR Configurations
Impedance Matching
Shielded Twisted Pair Vs. Star Quad Cable Breakdown


Guide to Y-Lead & Send-Return Cable Builder

The Y-lead and Send-Return Cable builder is designed to allow the user to split a signal into two separate channels. These separated channels can either be divided into two identical signals (Y-Lead), or to separate the two channels into a left and right or Send and Return. There are hundreds of different combinations possible with this builder. The table below is provided to help you determine which terminations you may need for your cable.

Single Side	Split Side	Cable Function
¼ in. Unbalanced TS	Dual ¼ in. Unbalanced TS	Unbalanced Y Lead
	Dual 3 Pin XLR	Unbalanced Y Lead
	Dual RCA	Unbalanced Y Lead
	Dual 3.5 mm Mini Mono	Unbalanced Y Lead
¼ in. Balanced TRS	Dual ¼ in. Unbalanced TS	Stereo L & R Channel Split, Insert Send/Return Cable
	Dual ¼ in. Balanced TRS	Balanced Y Lead
	Dual 3 Pin XLR	Balanced Y Lead, Insert Send/Return Cable with M/F gender (Stereo L & R Channel Split made in the Stereo Builder)
	Dual RCA	Stereo L & R Channel Split, Insert Send/Return Cable
	Dual 3.5 mm Mini Stereo	Balanced Y Lead
	Dual 3.5 mm Mini Mono	Stereo L & R Channel Split
Balanced 3 Pin XLR	Dual ¼ in. Balanced TRS	Balanced Y Lead
	Dual 3 Pin XLR	Balanced Y Lead
RCA	Dual ¼ in. Unbalanced TS	Unbalanced Y Lead
	Dual RCA	Unbalanced Y Lead, Subwoofer Y Adapter
	Dual 3.5 mm Mini Mono	Unbalanced Y Lead
3.5 mm Mini Stereo	Dual ¼ in. Unbalanced TS	Stereo L & R Channel Split
	Dual ¼ in. Balanced TRS	Stereo Y Lead
	Dual 3 Pin XLR	Stereo L & R Channel Split
	Dual RCA	Stereo L & R Channel Split
	Dual 3.5 mm Mini Stereo	Stereo Y Lead
	Dual 3.5 mm Mini Mono	Stereo L & R Channel Split
3.5 mm Mini Mono	Dual ¼ in. Unbalanced TS	Mono Y Lead
	Dual 3 Pin XLR	Mono Y Lead
	Dual RCA	Mono Y Lead
	Dual 3.5 mm Mini Mono	Mono Y Lead

Note:
-Send/Return Cables require a TRS connection on the Single Insert End (Termination 1). The Standard is to have the Tip as the Send Channel and the Ring as the Return Channel. If you require the reverse, please contact us.
-Most cables in this builder do not have restrictions on gender. This allows some cables to be built that are capable of merging 2 output signals into 1 input. Such builds may be needed for some applications, but caution must always be exercised when using these cables. Merging two signals into one input is capable of damaging your equipment.


Connecting Balanced & Unbalanced

All Audio Interconnects made by Milian Acoustics use Standardized wiring configurations endorsed by the Audio Engineering Society (AES). Nonetheless, converting Balanced Signals to Unbalanced, and vice versa, should always be done with caution. The conversion in and out of Balanced signals greatly increases the chances of RFI and negates the long-run benefits of balanced signals. The best option is to always use fully Balanced Connections whenever possible. Impedance matching isolation transformers are another option to consider if noise issues are occurring when converting between balanced and unbalanced. Under many circumstances, this may not be a feasible option, and a quality built interconnect may be the best recourse available.

The standard wiring for XLR and TRS cables connecting balanced to unbalanced is to ground pin 3 to pin 1 and ring to sleeve, respectively. In the event of specific noise issues with certain combinations of devices, other wiring configurations are available that may be able to cure the problem. Balanced inputs can have their grounds left unconnected in some cases to solve ground loop issues. Please contact us if you are experiencing noise control issues, we will do our best to offer the solution to your problems.

If you have any special wiring needs, or are unsure of the wiring of your components, please don't hesitate to contact us at HelpMilianAcoustics.com. We will assist you in determining what is best for your system.


Alternate XLR Configurations

All Milian Acoustics Interconnects involving XLR terminations are defaulted to Pin 2 Hot Wiring. Some devices utilize a Pin 3 Hot design which is not compatible with standard XLR interconnects. Other wiring options, such as an fully Unbalanced XLR, are available upon request.

If you are in need of an XLR cable wired to Pin 3 Hot, or if you require any other unorthodox pinout, please contact us at HelpMilianAcoustics.com with your needs and desired length, terminations, and sleeving. We will send you an invoice via email.


Impedance Matching

Analog audio systems interconnect using a rising impedance structure. The load's input impedance will always be much higher than the source's output impedance. As such, impedance matching for line level interconnects is not possible, nor is it an issue at audio frequencies except for unreasonably long runs.

Impedance matching is necessary, however, for digital and video transmissions. Digital and Video transmissions require impedance matching to prevent reflection loss. Because RCA plugs are also used in digital and video transmissions, it must be noted that RCA cables intended for audio are not necessarily ideal for digital and video applications. 75 Ohm Coaxial RCA Cables for S/PDIF Digital and Video are available upon request.

One other area where Impedance Matching must be addressed is with the use of Microphones. When connecting microphones to mixing boards or multi-track recorders, it is important that the microphone's impedance is not greater than the input impedance of the mixing device. An impedance mismatch in this case can result in significant signal loss and poor sound reproduction. This issue is usually present when the input is an unbalanced 1/4” jack. Under these circumstances, an XLR to TRS or TS connection will not work. An Impedance Matching Transformer is required in conjunction with an XLR to XLR cable. The best results are achieved with a low impedance Microphone directly connected to an XLR input.


Guidelines for use of Shielded Twisted Pair & Star Quad Cables

For the sake of simplicity, the Milian Acoustics Cable Builders group these two geometries together for Cables built with the OFC option. Shielded Twisted Pair is a 2 conductor cable and Star Quad is a 4 conductor cable consisting of 2 sets of twisted pairs helically wrapped together. Each builder's guidelines determine under which circumstances each type of cable is used:

• Stereo Cable Builder:  All cables built here that include dual mono terminations or a channel split of any kind require the Star Quad cable. All other cables will use shielded twisted pair.
• Single/Multi-Channel Cable Builder:  All Cables in this builder use Shielded Twisted Pair unless otherwise requested.
• Snake Cable Builder:  All Cables in this builder use a specialty OFC snake cable consisting of a shielded twisted pair for each channel.
• Y-Lead & Send-Return Cable Builder:  Most cables in this builder require Star Quad cable. Assemblies involving Balanced Y leads require a twin balanced cable. There is no extra charge for cables requiring twin balanced cable.

Because the Silver Plated OFC cable offered comes in Shielded Twisted Pair only, cables built requiring more than 3 conductors will be built with two cables together in one sleeve. There is no additional charge for the extra cable used.

 Return Policy  Warranty  Worldwide Shipping  Privacy  Sitemap