User guide

XONE:92 User Guide 15
Plugging Up The System
The XONE:92 uses professional grade 3 pin XLR, 1/4" TRS jack and RCA PHONO sockets. To
ensure best performance, we recommend that you use high quality audio cables and connectors,
and take time to check for reliable and accurate cable assembly. It is well known that many audio
system failures are due to faulty interconnecting leads. The following mating plugs may be used to
connect audio signals to the console:
The input and output XLR connectors are 3 wire differentially balanced. These have 3 connector
pins: Pin 1 = ground (screen), Pin 2 = signal hot (+), Pin 3 = signal cold (-).
The jack sockets are the 3 pole TRS type. These are wired to work with both the balanced TRS or
the unbalanced 2 pole TS type plugs without cable modification. The sockets have 3 connector
pins: Inputs and outputs are Tip = signal hot (+), Ring = signal cold (-), Sleeve = ground (screen).
Headphones are Tip = left, Ring = right, Sleeve = ground.
The RCA phono connectors are the 2 wire unbalanced type typical of those found on equipment
such as CD players, turntables and domestic amplifiers.
Avoid reversing + and - on balanced connections as this will result in out of phase signals (reverse
polarity) which may cause signal cancellation effects.
Where long cables runs are required, balanced interconnections should be used. However,
interconnections between more affordable 2-wire (signal, ground) unbalanced equipment and the
console are unlikely to cause problems if the cables are kept short. Refer to the following diagram
for unbalanced to balanced connections.
Dealing with Ground Loops, Buzz and Interference
For optimum performance all audio signals should be referenced to a solid, noise-free ground
(earth) point, frequently referred to as the ‘star point’ or ‘clean earth’.
A ground loop is created when the signal has more than one path to ground. Should you
experience hum or buzz caused by ground loops, check first that each piece of equipment has its
own separate path to ground. If so, operate ground lift switches on connected equipment in
accordance with the instruction manuals. Alternatively disconnect the cable screen at the
destination end only. This breaks the offending loop while still maintaining the signal shielding
down the length of the cable.
WARNING For your safety do not remove the earth (ground) connection in the power
lead of the console or connected equipment.
To avoid interference pickup keep audio cables away from mains power units and cables, thyristor
dimmer units or computer equipment. Where this cannot be avoided, cross the cables at right
angles to minimise interference.