Your Guide To Understanding The Mystery Of Jack-to-jack Cable

Last Updated on July 19, 2021 by EricJones

What would you do if you discovered that you got the wrong cable for your guitar? Rather than finding right at the moment when you are about to plugin, why not do a thorough study of the different types of Jack to Jack cable so that you can save yourself the trouble of making countless trips to the store to find the right cable. By knowing the anatomy and the application of the cables, you will be able to find the right cable without fail. 

Types Of Jack To Jack Cable:

• The 1/4-inch or Quarter-Inch Jack Connector

One of the most common cables among jack-to jack cables is also one of the most popular cables used to establish the connection used on electric guitars and guitar amps. The plug itself has the size of a 1/4-inch or 6.3mm jack. Moreover, it has a single black hoop called an insulating ring at the beginning of the tip. 

It is called mono or single-channel connection. It mostly goes by the name “instrument cables,” it is mostly suitable for instrument and line-level connections, ‘Speaker Cables’, speakers to amps, guitar heads to cabinets, etc. The connector also goes by the following name,

1. 6.3mm Jack
2. Guitar Jack
3. Jack-plug
4. Jack
5. Phone-jack

• The 1/4-inch Balanced Jack or Stereo Jack Connector

The size of this type of jack is the same as the one mentioned above. However, the only difference between them is the capacity to connect the two channels’ audio signals. The constructional differences between the jack to jack cable can be differentiated by noticing it thoroughly. 

This type of connector has a Tip, Ring, Sleeve (TRS) design. Moreover, the plug is also divided into two black hoops and has a pointy end. It is mostly used for headphone output, o keyboards, mixing desks, pianos, recording equipment, guitar amps, hi-fi equipment, etc. The Jack to jack cable also goes by the following name, 

1. Stereo 1/4″ Jack
2. TRS Jack
3. Balanced Jack
4. Stereo Phone-Jack

• The Stereo Mini-Jack Connector

Arguably the most common connection of all time, it is one of those variations that is mostly found on mp3 player headphones. This is comparatively the smaller cable, with a 3.5mm or 1/8″ plug. Moreover, this is one of the cables that also bears the TRS arrangements having two insulation rings. The left, as well as the right channels, are carried by tips. 

However, the ring with the sleeve as a common ground can be noticed as well. One of the most common uses of this type of cable is for music player headphones, audio connections on computers, etc. Although mono jacks of this variation exist nonetheless, the application of the jack is very limited. It is also known as the following, 

1. Minijack
2. 3.5mm Jack
3. 1/8″ Jack
4. headphone jack

• The RCA Connector Or RCA cable

The RCA cable is mostly familiar to users as mini-jack plugs as they are mostly used for Hi-fi and home audio equipment only. Normally, the acronym RCA signifies Radio Corporation of America. Why such a name? It is because it was this organization for which the connection was developed. 

They tried to initiate an alternative for the 1/4″ TRS Jack connections on Phonographs in 1940. It was done so to assure a strengthened connection with the amplifiers. Thus, the Phono connection came to be. It is an unbalanced, mono connection that you would normally find on DJ mixers. The cable is also known as the following, 

1. RCA plugs
2. Phono plug
3. Cinch plug
4. Aux cable

Bottom line:

Now that you have successfully known the difference and the application of each variation of jack to jack cable, you will be able to prevent yourself from making insignificant runs to the cable store. 

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