What Is an XLR Cable?
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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An XLR cable is a balanced cable with a 3-pin XLR connector on each end that carries a microphone signal to an interface, mixer or preamp. The male end plugs into the microphone, the female end plugs into the input, and the balanced design cancels noise picked up along the cable. It also carries 48V phantom power to condenser microphones.
What the 3 pins carry
An XLR connector has 3 pins, and the balanced design uses the pins to carry the audio signal and its mirror image. The input flips the mirror image back, so noise picked up along the cable cancels out while the signal stays. That is what balanced means, and it is why XLR cables suit long runs to a mixer or interface.
Male to female, and which end goes where
XLR microphone cables run male to female. The male end plugs into the microphone, and the female end plugs into the interface, mixer or preamp. The Cable Matters, AuxLink, Monoprice and Mogami cables here are all male to female, so the same cable works from the mic to the input. Check the connector gender before you buy, since a cable with the wrong ends will not plug in.
Pick a length for the room
The Cable Matters, Monoprice and Mogami cables here are 6 ft long, and the AuxLink pack holds 6 cables at 25 ft each. A 6 ft cable suits a mic on a desk next to the interface, while a 25 ft cable suits a mic on a stand across the room. Measure the run from the mic to the input before you buy, and leave slack for the cable to lie flat without pulling on the connectors.
Shielding and wire gauge
Shielding keeps noise out of the signal, and every cable here is shielded. The Cable Matters cable uses 21 AWG oxygen-free copper conductors with copper braided shielding, and the AuxLink uses oxygen-free copper with copper braided shielding. The Monoprice cable uses 16 AWG wire with gold-plated connectors, and the Mogami uses a quad conductor design with a bare copper shield. Thicker wire and braided shielding suit long runs and rooms with a lot of gear.
Phantom power travels down the same cable
A condenser microphone needs 48V phantom power, and the interface or mixer sends it up the XLR cable to the mic. Dynamic microphones do not need it, and a standard dynamic mic is not affected when phantom power is on. The 48V switch sits on the interface or mixer, not on the cable, so check the input it covers before you switch it on.
What you need
Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium XLR to XLR
A 2-pack of 6 ft male-to-female cables in 21 AWG oxygen-free copper, with copper braided shielding and metal connectors with molded strain relief.
- Cables in pack: 2
- Oxygen-free copper
- Shielded
- Length: 6 ft
AuxLink XLR Cables
A 6-pack of 25 ft male-to-female cables with gold-plated 3-pin connectors, oxygen-free copper and copper braided shielding, each with a different color connector.
- Cables in pack: 6
- Oxygen-free copper
- Shielded
- Length: 25 ft
Monoprice XLR Male to XLR Female Cable
A 6 ft male-to-female cable in 16 AWG with gold-plated connectors, a braided shield and a lifetime warranty.
- Shielded
- Length: 6 ft
- Lifetime warranty stated
Mogami Gold Studio 06 XLR to XLR
A 6 ft male-to-female quad conductor cable with gold contacts, a bare copper shield and a lifetime warranty.
- Shielded
- Length: 6 ft
- Lifetime warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best XLR Cable, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an XLR cable with a speaker?
Yes, where the speaker or mixer has XLR inputs. The Cable Matters and AuxLink cables list speaker systems among their uses, and the AuxLink also lists stage lights and cameras. Check the connectors on your gear before you buy.
What does AWG mean on an XLR cable?
AWG is the wire gauge, and a lower number means thicker wire. The Cable Matters cable is 21 AWG, the Monoprice is 16 AWG, and the AuxLink lists a 24 gauge in its spec table. Thicker wire suits long runs, and every cable here is shielded.
Do XLR cables come in packs?
Yes. The Cable Matters cable comes as a 2-pack of 6 ft cables, and the AuxLink comes as a 6-pack of 25 ft cables. A pack gives a spare cable for another mic or a replacement.
Ranked XLR cables lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.