What is the primary purpose of this cable?

It is designed to split a stereo signal from a 3.5mm jack into two mono XLR male signals, typically for connecting consumer devices like laptops or phones to a professional mixing console.

What connectors are used on this Adam Hall cable?

The cable features REAN connectors, including one 3.5mm TRS mini jack and two male XLR connectors. REAN is a sub-brand of Neutrik known for professional reliability.

What is the benefit of 99.999% oxygen-free copper?

Oxygen-free copper (OFC) provides high signal clarity and minimises distortion. This ensures an authentic sound experience by reducing resistance and signal degradation over the 3-metre length.

How does the shielding protect the audio signal?

The cable uses dense spiral shielding to block electromagnetic interference (EMI). This is crucial for maintaining a clean signal in environments with many electronic devices, such as live stages or studios.

Is the cable jacket flexible enough for mobile use?

Yes, it is constructed with a soft PVC jacket. This design provides the necessary flexibility for regular handling and makes it suitable for both stationary and mobile audio setups.

Can I use this cable to connect a smartphone to a mixer?

Yes, this is a common use case. The 3.5mm jack connects to the phone's headphone output, and the twin XLR connectors plug into two channels on the mixer.

What is the length of this specific cable model?

This specific Adam Hall 4 STAR splitter cable has a length of 3 metres. This provides ample reach for most desktop and small stage configurations.

Are the XLR connectors male or female?

The cable features two Male XLR (XLR M) connectors. These are designed to plug into the female inputs found on mixers, active speakers, and audio interfaces.

How does this cable compare to the Adam Hall 5 STAR range?

The 4 STAR range uses high-quality REAN connectors and OFC conductors, offering professional performance. The 5 STAR range typically features even higher-specification Neutrik-branded components for extreme touring demands.

Is this cable suitable for professional studio recording?

Yes, its high-purity copper and effective shielding make it suitable for studio environments where signal integrity and low noise floors are required.

Can this cable be used with a laptop?

Absolutely. It is specifically designed to connect laptops and tablets with 3.5mm outputs to professional audio equipment using XLR inputs.

Will this cable work for a mono signal?

While it is a stereo splitter, it can carry a mono signal if only one side of the XLR split is used. However, it is primarily intended for stereo-to-dual-mono applications.

Gear article

Adam Hall 4 STAR Rean 3.5mm TRS to Twin XLR (M) Splitter Cable

The Adam Hall 4 STAR Rean 3.5mm TRS to Twin XLR (M) is a professional-grade splitter cable designed to interface consumer-level audio devices with professional mixing consoles and audio interfaces. Utilising oxygen-free copper and REAN connectors, it provides a 3-metre solution for splitting unbalanced stereo signals into two mono male XLR outputs.

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Background and Construction

Part of the Adam Hall 4 STAR series, this cable is positioned as a high-quality interconnect for both stage and studio environments. It is constructed using 99.999% oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors, which are intended to provide high signal clarity and minimise harmonic distortion. The cable is equipped with REAN connectors, a brand by Neutrik, known for offering reliable performance in professional audio applications.

The exterior features a soft PVC jacket designed for durability and flexibility. This choice of material allows the cable to withstand the rigours of regular handling and mobile use while remaining easy to coil for storage. To protect against external noise, the internal wiring is protected by dense spiral shielding, which is effective at mitigating electromagnetic interference (EMI) in environments with high electronic density.

Technical Functionality

The primary function of this cable is to split a single 3.5mm TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) stereo output into two separate male XLR connectors. This configuration is standard for routing stereo audio from devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and portable recorders into the individual mono channels of a mixing desk or audio interface.

Input: 3.5mm TRS Mini Jack (Stereo)
Output: 2 x XLR Male (Left/Right Mono)
Length: 3 metres (approx. 10 feet)
Shielding: Dense spiral to reduce hum and buzz.

Sound Character and Application

The use of high-purity oxygen-free copper ensures a neutral and authentic sound reproduction. By reducing signal loss and distortion, the cable maintains the integrity of the source audio, making it suitable for critical listening and recording tasks. The shielding ensures that the audio remains clean, even when the cable is positioned near power sources or other electronic equipment that might otherwise cause interference.

It is ideally suited for: * Connecting mobile devices to professional PA systems. * Routing laptop audio to studio monitors or mixing consoles. * Interfacing portable field recorders with larger audio interfaces for playback.

Comparison and Alternatives

Within the Adam Hall range, the 4 STAR series represents a balance between entry-level utility and premium touring-grade components, such as the 5 STAR Neutrik DMX cables. Compared to budget alternatives like the Gear4Music Essentials Dual Jack to RCA, this cable offers the professional XLR termination required for most balanced mixing desks.

While users looking for short patch connections might consider the Studiospares Standard XLR series for simple mono-to-mono runs, the Adam Hall 4 STAR splitter is a specialised tool for stereo-to-dual-mono conversion. For users requiring specific connector orientations, aftermarket components like the Neutrik NC3FRX right-angled connectors may be used to custom-modify cables, though this 4 STAR model provides a ready-made solution for standard setups.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary purpose of this cable?: It is designed to split a stereo signal from a 3.5mm jack into two mono XLR male signals, typically for connecting consumer devices like laptops or phones to a professional mixing console.
What connectors are used on this Adam Hall cable?: The cable features REAN connectors, including one 3.5mm TRS mini jack and two male XLR connectors. REAN is a sub-brand of Neutrik known for professional reliability.
What is the benefit of 99.999% oxygen-free copper?: Oxygen-free copper (OFC) provides high signal clarity and minimises distortion. This ensures an authentic sound experience by reducing resistance and signal degradation over the 3-metre length.
How does the shielding protect the audio signal?: The cable uses dense spiral shielding to block electromagnetic interference (EMI). This is crucial for maintaining a clean signal in environments with many electronic devices, such as live stages or studios.
Is the cable jacket flexible enough for mobile use?: Yes, it is constructed with a soft PVC jacket. This design provides the necessary flexibility for regular handling and makes it suitable for both stationary and mobile audio setups.
Can I use this cable to connect a smartphone to a mixer?: Yes, this is a common use case. The 3.5mm jack connects to the phone's headphone output, and the twin XLR connectors plug into two channels on the mixer.
What is the length of this specific cable model?: This specific Adam Hall 4 STAR splitter cable has a length of 3 metres. This provides ample reach for most desktop and small stage configurations.
Are the XLR connectors male or female?: The cable features two Male XLR (XLR M) connectors. These are designed to plug into the female inputs found on mixers, active speakers, and audio interfaces.
How does this cable compare to the Adam Hall 5 STAR range?: The 4 STAR range uses high-quality REAN connectors and OFC conductors, offering professional performance. The 5 STAR range typically features even higher-specification Neutrik-branded components for extreme touring demands.
Is this cable suitable for professional studio recording?: Yes, its high-purity copper and effective shielding make it suitable for studio environments where signal integrity and low noise floors are required.
Can this cable be used with a laptop?: Absolutely. It is specifically designed to connect laptops and tablets with 3.5mm outputs to professional audio equipment using XLR inputs.
Will this cable work for a mono signal?: While it is a stereo splitter, it can carry a mono signal if only one side of the XLR split is used. However, it is primarily intended for stereo-to-dual-mono applications.