Male to Male XLR Cable: The Cases Where You Actually Need One
The default XLR cable is male to female, because outputs are male and inputs are female. A male to male XLR cable exists for the exceptions: joining two female sockets together, extending a run by linking two cables, or patching equipment that breaks the gender convention.
Quick Answer
A male to male XLR cable has male connectors on both ends and links two female sockets. Typical cases are extending a microphone run by coupling two standard cables, connecting a device whose output is a female socket to another female socket, and using a compact gender changer in a patch panel. If one end plugs into a microphone, you need male to female, not male to male.
Gender Terminology
| Term | Pins | Normal role | Where it appears |
|---|
| Male XLR | 3 pins protruding | Output | Microphones, mixer outputs, DI outputs |
| Female XLR | 3 sockets | Input | Mixer inputs, active speaker inputs, interfaces |
| Male to female | Mixed | Standard interconnect | Almost every audio purchase |
| Male to male | Male both ends | Joins two female sockets | Extensions, patch panels, adapters |
| Female to female | Female both ends | Joins two male outputs | Couplers and gender changers |
Legitimate Use Cases
Extending a cable run
Two standard microphone cables can be joined with a male to male coupler rather than a male to male cable, but a single longer cable is always preferable to a joint in the middle of a stage.
Equipment with unconventional gender
Some rack processors, broadcast gear and older consoles present female outputs. A male to male cable is the correct interconnect there.
Patch bays and wall panels
Wall plates and patch panels often expose female sockets on both sides, so short male to male patch leads bridge them.
Wiring Inside a Male to Male Cable
The internal wiring is identical to a standard XLR: three conductors, pin 1 to pin 1 ground and shield, pin 2 to pin 2 hot, pin 3 to pin 3 cold. Only the connector shells differ. This means a male to male cable introduces no polarity inversion, and a signal passing through it behaves exactly like the same signal through a male to female cable.
Real-World Applications
- Touring rack where a processor output is a female socket: short male to male patch lead.
- Fixed install with a female wall outlet feeding another female panel: permanent link cable.
- Studio patch bay normalisation between two female points: braided shield patch cables.
- Emergency field repair: a coupler and spare male to male lead rather than a soldering iron.
Buying Checklist
- Confirm the gender of both sockets on the equipment you are joining.
- Check whether the connector is standard XLR or mini XLR.
- Prefer a single longer cable over two joined by a coupler where signal quality matters.
- Choose flexible jackets for cables that are handled nightly.
- Verbally verify the wiring standard if the gear is vintage European equipment.
Related Guides
For the standard cable and full pinout reference, read XLR audio cable. For speaker level connections instead of line level, see Subwoofer speaker wire. For line level subwoofer feeds, start with Coaxial cable for subwoofer.
FAQ
What is a male to male XLR cable used for?
Connecting two female XLR sockets, which happens in extension couplers, patch panels and on some rack and broadcast equipment.
Can I plug a male to male cable into a microphone?
No. Microphones have male outputs, so they need a female connector at that end. Use a male to female microphone cable.
Does a male to male XLR cable degrade the signal?
No, provided the cable is properly shielded twisted pair. Electrically it behaves the same as any balanced XLR cable of the same length.
Is male to male XLR the same as DMX cable?
The connector shell is the same 3 pin XLR, but DMX uses 120 ohm cable and different signal characteristics. Use dedicated DMX cable for lighting control.
