XLR cables are the least exciting part of a sound system and the most common reason for a last-minute trip to the shop. Buy too short and you can't reach; too long and you've got a tangle on stage. Here's how to get it right first time.
How to measure
- Measure the real route the cable will take — along walls, around doorways, up and down stage edges — not the straight line.
- Add about 1–2 m for slack at each end.
- Round up to the next available length.
Never run a cable tight. Tension pulls on the connectors and creates a trip hazard.
Typical lengths
| Connection | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Rack gear to rack gear, patching | 1 m – 2 m |
| Wireless receiver to mixer on the same table | 1 – 3 m |
| Mic on stand to stage box or mixer at side of stage | 5 m |
| Mixer to powered speakers at the front of a small hall | 10 m |
| Stage to a mixer at the back of a church or hall | 15 m – 20 m |
Does longer cable sound worse?
Not with balanced XLR at these lengths. Balanced cables cancel out interference picked up along the run, which is why they're used everywhere in pro audio. At 20 m or less, connector quality and routing matter far more than length. Look for oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors and solid connectors.
How many do you need with a wireless system?
| System | Using individual outputs | Using mixed output |
|---|---|---|
| TrueWave Pro AIR-B2 | 2 XLR cables | Included 6.35 mm cable |
| TrueWave Pro AIR-B4 | 4 XLR cables | Included 6.35 mm cable |
Then add two more for the mixer's left and right outputs to your speakers.
Cable care that makes them last
- Coil using the over-under method, never around your elbow.
- Pull by the connector, not the cable.
- Use a velcro tie on each coil.
- Label both ends of long runs so you can trace them.
- Keep one or two spares — a 5 m spare solves most emergencies.
Quick shopping list: 4-mic church setup
- 4 × 10 m (AIR-B4 receiver at the side of the platform to mixer)
- 2 × 15 m (mixer at the back to speakers at the front)
- 1 × 5 m spare
Orders of $100 or more ship free within Australia.
FAQ
Can I join two XLR cables?
Yes — XLR cables plug end-to-end. Tape the join so it doesn't pull apart.
Do wireless receivers need phantom power on the cable?
No. Turn phantom power off on channels fed by wireless receivers.
Related: church wireless microphone kits · buying for schools.
