Cables & Adapters

Learn More About Audio Cables & Accessories

Although at Moment we like to say that we don’t need to carry every piece of equipment, only the right ones, we take pride in being a one-stop-shop for creatives in need of pro-level gear, at great prices. So, naturally, since we have a comprehensive catalog of audio equipment, it wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t include everything else needed to attach, connect, hook up, or transfer important data -- sound or otherwise -- to and from your gear to your ear.

See the audio cables & accessories we sell here in our shop and find the perfect match, from your favorite brands, for the gear in your studio.

Digital Cables: The Basics

Whether you’re a musician, a podcaster, YouTuber, work in TV, or any other field that requires audio to be digitally captured, recorded, transferred, edited, etc., there is a list of tools you need to include in your audio chain. Some of that audio gear includes:

DAW (or film editing) software, headphones, microphones, an audio interface, an audio recorder or two, a set of studio monitors, and the list goes on.

You can spend all your free time researching products, reading reviews, asking & receiving the best Q and A's in audio-related forums but, if you’re missing the right cables to tie everything together, it may all be a waste of time. Fortunately, we’ve got your back in this department. Let’s filter through some of these audio cables and other accessories so that you can leave the shop ready to get your Marc Rebillet on.

Before we do, let’s quickly get some basic terminology out of the way so that you have a better idea of what you need.

Analog and Digital Signals

Regarding audio cables, there are two different ways they transmit sound. The first is via analog signals, which means the sound is transferred continuously by waves electronically (think of recording live instruments). The second is digital signals, which transmit information via binary code (think of your DAW making sense of the music you just recorded).

Balanced and Unbalanced Cables

Put simply, balanced cables are unaffected by noise interference, so they’re usually the standard in pro audio gear. On the other hand, that means unbalanced cables are susceptible to picking up unwanted noise and interference.

RCA Cables, XLR cables, and Other Connector Types

There are a few more things we want to touch on swiftly, then we’ll get to the gear + answer some FAQs. RCA connectors are an example of unbalanced cables used to carry audio and video signals. XLR connectors are balanced cables that are found in pro-level equipment. XLR cables transmit audio at a higher quality than RCA cables.

These terms barely scratch the surface of the technical world of audio and its accompanying lingo, but you can find more info in the FAQ below. For now, we bet you’re just itching to know how our gear can fit your products/needs. So let’s jump right in.

Best Digital Audio Cable & Accessories for your Audio Gear

Although creatives are all different and have varying needs and goals, the cables we offer focus around a core set of pro audio gear that we offer here at Moment. Let’s check out some examples of digital cables that you need for the equipment you (most likely) already have.

Accessory Pack for Zoom H1n

Creators the world over use Zoom Handy Recorders to capture high-quality audio on the go, and we sell multiple Zoom branded audio recorders here in the shop, including the best-selling H1n. But where would you be without the right attachments to help you get the job done? Our Accessory Pack for the Zoom H1n comes with a foam windscreen, USB cable, an adjustable tripod stand, and a few more goodies.

Podcast Accessory Bundle for Zoom Recorders

For novices and pros, Moment bundles together a kit for your zoom recorder that is a roving podcaster’s dream. Equipped is everything you need to create A1 quality podcasts with your Zoom recorder. In the box, you get a ZDM-1 Large-Diaphragm Dynamic Microphone, a pair of ZHP-1 Professional Closed-Back Headphones, and an XLR cable of over six and a half feet in length.

Saramonic 10' Aluminum Magic Boom Pole

This professional-grade boom pole by Saramonic lets you position your mic as close as possible to the sounds you're capturing, while staying out of frame. A perfect accessory for filmmakers of all skill and experience levels. The pole extends up to 10 feet, and the caps can be removed to run a standard-sized XLR cable through the pole, so it can be used as a cabled or non-cabled boom pole.

Saramonic 3.5mm TRS Omnidirectional Microphone

This ultra-compact condenser microphone weighs less than an ounce yet captures superb sound. Its simple plug-and-play and 3.5mm Microphone Input usage make it compatible with a wide range of equipment like DSLR, mirrorless, and video cameras.

Check out the rest of our audio cables and audio accessories above.

Now, we'll answer some more frequently asked questions, then sit back & give you some room to shop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the types of audio cables?

There are a few types of audio cables that mainly send and receive data in two forms -- analog and digital. Analog cables come in balanced and unbalanced -- balanced cables don’t pick up interference and unbalanced cables do. Analog and digital cables transfer three levels of audio signals -- mic level, instrument level, and line level.

Analog cables include the balanced XLR male connectors with three to seven pins (its female counterpart has holes instead of pins). TRS cables are another type of balanced cable, with a single protruding jack separated by the tip, ring, and sleeve (where it gets its name). You’ve seen these used in all sorts of scenarios and devices like headphones, microphones, or your mobile phone. RCA connectors are unbalanced jacks commonly found in home studio equipment.

Digital cables transfer higher resolution data in a way your computer can read, namely, binary code. The best example of a digital cable is an HDMI cable.

Which cable is best for audio?

The best cable for audio depends on your needs and your device. HDMI is a great choice for TVs, but XLR connectors are popular and perfect for professional-grade sound equipment like audio recorders, interfaces, certain mics, etc.

What are the different types of audio jacks?

The different types of audio jacks are the quarter-inch jack connector (like a guitar jack), the quarter-inch balanced jack (like a headphone jack), the stereo minijack connector, RCA connector, and the popular & high-fidelity XLR connector (compatible with a number of audio devices).

Are all audio cables the same?

No. Although similar in look, all audio cables aren’t the same, although you can use particular cables like XLR or RCA connectors for multiple purposes and devices.

Wrap Up

So hopefully, we’ve untangled some of the confusion around audio cables & accessories and made it simple for you to understand at least the very basics of what different types of connectors there are and which accessories we carry that help tie your gear together. If you still need anything sorted out (there’s a lot of technicality to this and a catalog of products), give one of our expert Gear Guides a tug, and they’ll be happy to answer questions and help you start creating hi-fi audio productions ASAP.