Quote Originally Posted by DrNomis_44 View Post
For cabling, I usually buy around 10m of Response WB1530 cable, again from Jaycar Electronics, it is actually described as twin-core shielded mic cable for use with 3-pin XLR plugs but I found that it works perfectly well for making instrument leads, I normally just solder the two inner cores together at both ends of the cable and then solder them to the plugs tip connection after soldering the shield-braiding to the sleeve connection.
I usually do it differently when using two core and shield cable on a TS plug (TS= Tip & Sleeve). I chose one core to be my active and tie the other core to the shield. Main reason being that the two cores are designed to carry the signal in under all circumstances whereas the shield in a shielded pair cable is only there to reduce RFI and induced hum and is typically not for carrying signal currents. For that matter when using shielded pair cable on a TS to TS lead I often terminate the shield at only one end and mark the lead where the shield is terminated as the 'Source' end. It is common practice in all forms of Pro audio and broadcast on any shielded pair cables to terminate any cable shield only at the source, however common domestic (RCA type) hifi audio systems and singe core guitar leads typically use the single core shield as an earth return thus the shields are always connected at both ends.

On a TRS to TRS lead the three are always wired with one core to the T, the second core to the R and the shield to the 'sleeve'... (TRS = Tip, ring & sleeve).

XLR (or Canon) connector in nearly all possible uses/cases (audio & DMX lighting) - pin 1 = Shield, pin 2 = -ve, pin 3 = +ve...