I'm not sure where in this chain I need TS or TRS cables. I don't really understand the difference.

I want to plug two microphones and a keyboard into a mixer, then run the mixer into a looper pedal, then into my audio interface. The microphones use XLR so I'm fine with that, but the keyboard uses 1/4" and I'm not sure whether to get TS or TRS cables.

Here's what I want to do:

Casio CZ-3000 synthesizer L/R line outs --> Samson MDR6 mixer
Samson mixer --> L/R inputs of Boomerang-III looper pedal
L/R outputs of Boomerang-III --> L/R inputs of Tascam US-144mkII

Should I use TS or TRS cables for these connections? I assume TS because they're all mono signals. I have one pair of TRS cables on hand already. Would it be bad to use a TRS cable?

Thanks!

Ts for unbalanced connections
Trs/xlr for balanced connections

+ 1!

Sorry for the stupid questions, but how do I determine if a connection is balanced or unbalanced? For example, the owner's manual for my synthesizer doesn't mention if the L/R line outs are balanced or unbalanced.

Edit: Also, the manual for my audio interface (Tascam US-144mkII) says "These are balanced line input jacks" about its two 1/4" input jacks, but apparently the Boomerang III looper has unbalanced jacks. So what do I do for a connection like that? Unbalanced outputting to balanced? This is confusing. :\

Hi skeletron, possibly one of those situation where a person could be guilty of over thinking it. Balanced cables for runs over 6ft, and are better shielded against noise. I wouldnt worry about it too much mostly because its out of your control because you are limited to what jacks you already have.

You could look at the wiring diagram in your manual. A lot of times they'll tell you how to wire up your cables so that you dont accidenatlly stick one in there wired improperly. TRS will have a tip-ring-sleeve and TS will be tip-sleeve.

You can probably go ahead and just use balanced cables. You wont get the benefit on unbalanced jacks but it wont hurt anything and it will save you from having to buy balanced cables if/when you upgrade anything.

I seriously doubt you'll be able to hear a difference between balanced and unbalanced audio with cable runs of less than 10 feet. Hope this helps

Yeah, I'm dealing with under 6-foot cable lengths. Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'll just pickup some TRS cables and not worry about it unless I run into any problems.

Well, sure balanced cables are shielded against noise; However, balanced and unbalanced jacks also operate under different signal levels (balanced: +4dBu, unbalanced -10dBv), this can cause problems like distortion (balanced signal into unbalanced input) or noise (unbalanced signal into balanced input). But absolutely, you work with what you've got and try to make it sound as good as you can and try not to over think it. :-)

If you went out mono it's easy because the Tascam has a guitar input, that means it's unbalanced.
One way to get a stereo signal is to get a DI.

The other thing about balanced and unbalanced is what gets carried through the cable.

TS = inphase and ground
TRS =inphase, out of phase and ground

Wikipedia on TRS cables...

Audio
When a TRS is used to make a balanced connection, the two active conductors are both used for a monaural signal. The ring, used for the right channel in stereo systems, is used instead for the inverting input. This is a common use in small audio mixing desks, where space is a premium and they offer a more compact alternative to XLR connectors. Another advantage offered by TRS connectors used for balanced microphone inputs is that a standard unbalanced signal lead using a mono jack plug can simply be plugged into such an input. The ring (right channel) contact then makes contact with the plug body, correctly grounding the inverting input.
The disadvantage of using TRS jacks for balanced audio connections is that the ground mates last and the socket grounds the plug tip and ring when inserting or pulling out the plug. This causes bursts of hum, cracks and pops and may stress some outputs as they will be short circuited briefly, or longer if the plug is left half in. Professional audio equipment uses XLR connectors which mate the ground signal on pin 1 first.
TRS connectors are also commonly used as unbalanced audio patch points (or insert points, or simply inserts), with the output on many mixers found on the tip (left channel) and the input on the ring (right channel). This is often expressed as "tip send, ring return." Other mixers have unbalanced insert points with "ring send, tip return." One advantage of this system is that the switch contact within the panel socket, originally designed for other purposes, can be used to close the circuit when the patch point is not in use. An advantage of the "tip send" patch point is that if it is used as an output only, a 2-conductor mono jack plug correctly grounds the input. In the same fashion, use of a "tip return" insert style allows a mono jack plug to bring an unbalanced signal directly into the circuit, though in this case the output must be robust enough to withstand being grounded. Combining Send and Return functions via single 1?4 in TRS connectors in this way is seen in very many professional and semi-professional audio mixing desks, due to the halving of space needed for insert jack fields which would otherwise require two jacks, one for Send and one for Return. The tradeoff is that unbalanced signals are more prone to buzz, hum and outside interference.
In some TRS inserts, the concept is extended by using specially designed TRS jacks that will accept a mono jack plug partly inserted "to the first click" and will then connect the tip to the signal path without breaking it. Most standard TRS jacks can also be used in this way with varying success, but neither the switch contact nor the tip contact can be relied upon unless the internal contacts have been designed with extra strength for holding the plug tip in place. Even with stronger contacts, an accidental mechanical movement of the inserted plug can interrupt signal within the circuit. For maximum reliability, any usage involving "first click" or "half-click" positions will instead rewire the plug to short Tip and Ring together and then insert this modified plug all the way into the jack.
The TRS Tip Return, Ring Send unbalanced insert configuration is mostly found on older mixers. This allowed for the insert jack to serve as a standard-wired mono line input that would bypass the mic preamp (and likely a resistive pad, as well as other circuitry, depending on the design), and thus improve sound quality. However tip send has become the generally accepted standard for mixer inserts since the early-to-mid 1990s. The TRS Ring Send configuration is still found on some compressor sidechain input jacks such as the dbx 166XL.[16]
In some very compact equipment, 3.5 mm TRS jacks are used as patch points.
Some sound recording devices use a TRS as a mono microphone input, using the tip as the signal path and the ring to connect a standby switch on the microphone.

Try not to make things too confusing for yourself... Many devices accept balanced or unbalanced connections as the same 1/4" size plug is used or both. Some speakers/mixers will say bal/un on the inputs meaning they do both. Double-check your manual.
Balanced is always a better way to go but yes at 6' it's not a big deal.

If your looper pedal is battery powered, you will probably need a TS cable at its input to complete the battery circuit.

I have an audient iD14 with balanced speaker outputs. I am going to a simple RCA based stereo amp. Electrically I see no difference in TRS and TS cables except for the wire from ring to shield/ground. Is that the balance component? Wouldn't one of the connections have to go to the body of the amp to be truly balanced?

I have provided a link below to one of the best articles on this topic. It will help you with your initial question, and help you to navigate the minefield of connection terminology for decades to come.

[ http://www.rane.com/note110.html ]

Yes the Rane Note 101 is a primary reference for all manner of audio interconnects. However most of the uncommon methods of interconnection (like telescoping shield where the shield is connected at only one end) are the kinds of things you must make yourself (or have custom made) Virtually all of the commercially-available cables are wired in the bog-standard conventional manner.

For a 6-foot long connection between a source and an unbalanced RCA input, there is very little risk of just using simple, ordinary TS to RCA cables such as:


Unbalanced Interconnect - Hosa Technology

how much of a concern is this?

I've got a collection of electronic gear, and it seems like there's a mixture of balanced and unbalanced outputs. E.g., my Elektron gear has balanced outputs (I'm pretty sure!), but my incoming DSI Prophet has unbalanced outputs.

I've been making cables lately, and for simplicity's sake, I'd really prefer to stick to balanced/TRS cables (except for guitar, where I always know the signal is unbalanced)

It is a slight concern. 98% of the time it will make no practical difference.
Virtually all balanced outputs will tolerate being connected to an unbalanced destination.
And virtually all balanced inputs will be just fine with an unbalanced source.

While it would be nice to use TRS plugs for all cables, note that if you connect a TRS plug into a TS jack (typical for unbalanced gear), you have an excellent chance of a serious connection mismatch. If you have an output or input that is unbalanced and uses a TS jack, it is always safe to use an unbalanced TS plug/cable.

As you correctly observe, many (most?) pieces of gear do not properly, explicitly identify whether the inputs and outputs are balanced or unbalanced. And it is unfortunate that many unbalanced inputs and outputs only use TS jacks. So, if you insert a balanced TRS plug, the Ring terminal will be connected to nothing. THAT condition almost certainly will lead to reduced audio level, distorted audio, or quite possibly no audio at all.

Good for you, making your own cables. An excellent source of information for making cables and connections is the Rane Note 101. Highly recommended:

Sound System Interconnection

If in doubt get balanced cables for short lengths one wont notice the difference.

Short distances are least likely to have a problem with unbalanced cable.
Using a balanced cable (TRS) with unbalanced (TS) source or destination has a very high probability of failing.
The issue is not "noticing the difference".