Buying guide
Cables and connectivity: how to connect your gear properly
This range holds 193 products from 40 brands, including . It explains which cable or connector each job needs, so you buy the right one the first time.
Types of cable and connectivity product
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Audio Cables
62
Jack, XLR, RCA and speaker cables for instruments, microphones, monitors and line-level connections.
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USB Cables
28
USB-A, USB-B, USB-C and micro USB cables for audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, synths and computers.
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Modular Patch Cables
28
3.5 mm and banana patch cables for Eurorack and other modular and semi-modular synthesizers.
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MIDI Cables
9
5-pin DIN and TRS MIDI cables, adapters and MIDI breakout cables for synths, controllers and interfaces.
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DI Boxes
19
Active and passive DI boxes that turn instrument and keyboard outputs into balanced mic-level signals for mixers and stage boxes.
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Audio Patchbays
15
Rack patchbays that bring a studio's inputs and outputs to one panel for fast, flexible routing.
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Adapters
24
Jack, XLR, RCA, MIDI and USB adapters for connecting gear with different sockets.
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Before you buy
- Check the connector on both devices
- Decide whether the signal is balanced or unbalanced
- Measure the distance and add a little slack
- Choose data-capable USB cables for interfaces and controllers
- Label cables in larger setups
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TS and TRS cables?
A TS jack has two contacts and carries one unbalanced signal; a TRS jack has three and carries either a balanced mono signal or an unbalanced stereo signal. Look for one or two rings on the plug tip to tell them apart.
Do expensive cables sound better?
Not in any way you can reliably hear on short runs. Build quality, shielding and durable connectors are what you pay for, and they mainly affect reliability and handling noise.
Which cable do I need to connect a synth to an audio interface?
Usually a 6.35 mm jack cable: TS for an unbalanced synth output, TRS if the synth has balanced outputs. Check the output sockets on the synth first.
Can I use an instrument cable for speakers?
No. Instrument cables are too thin for the current a power amplifier sends to passive speakers. Use a proper speaker cable.
When do I need a DI box?
When you connect an instrument or keyboard to a mixer's microphone input or a stage snake over a long distance. It balances the signal and can break ground loops.
How long can an audio cable be?
Unbalanced instrument cables work best under about 6 metres; balanced XLR and TRS lines can run much further without noticeable loss.
Can I try cables and adapters before I buy?
Yes. Products marked In Store are on the shelf in our Rotterdam showroom at Oude Binnenweg 38, where you can try them.