Female XLR to RCA: A One-Way Level Conversion
Quick answer / TL;DR: Short answer: wire pin 2 to the RCA tip and pins 1 and 3 to the sleeve, which is the standard unbalanced connection. Expect a level mismatch: professional +4 dBu into consumer -10 dBV needs attenuation or a lower master output. Keep the cable short and expect no interference rejection once the signal is unbalanced.
Four audio lines: balanced XLR, TRS, unbalanced RCA, and speaker cable.A female XLR to RCA cable takes a balanced output from a mixer and feeds an unbalanced consumer input. The XLR female end is the output side, which is why this gender is the common one.
The cable does not convert level, so the mismatch has to be managed at one end.
Wiring
| XLR pin | Signal | RCA connection |
|---|
| 2 | Hot | Tip |
| 1 | Shield | Sleeve |
| 3 | Cold | Sleeve, joined to pin 1 |
Joining pin 3 to pin 1 is the standard unbalanced conversion. Leaving pin 3 floating produces a louder but noisier signal on some equipment.
Level and Noise
- Pro line level is about +4 dBu, consumer about -10 dBV
- A 12 dB difference will overload many consumer inputs
- Turn the mixer master down rather than the destination up
- Keep the unbalanced section short
- Avoid running it beside mains
The keep-it-short rule matters because once the signal leaves the balanced domain, common-mode rejection is gone.
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Real-World Applications
A small venue feeding a recording output from a mixer into a domestic amplifier uses this cable with the master at about a quarter. A studio monitor with RCA input fed from an interface is the same case, and the monitor's trim control handles the difference.
Standards and Verification
| Reference | Relevance |
|---|
| AES14 | Interconnection practice |
| IEC 60268 | Sound system equipment |
| Consumer line level | About -10 dBV |
Input sensitivity for a specific device is not provided in the knowledge base. Check the manual before connecting.
Practical Notes
If hum appears, try lifting the shield at the RCA end. It is the only end where lifting is safe.
Related reading: audio cable — blogs/news/audio-cable
Related reading: xlr to rca cable — blogs/news/xlr-to-rca-cable
Related reading: rca female to 3 5mm — blogs/news/rca-female-to-3-5mm
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pin is hot?
Pin 2. It goes to the RCA tip.
Does it convert level?
No. Attenuate at the source.
Can I run it 20 m?
Not well. Unbalanced after the cable loses noise rejection.
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