AUDIO - QUARTER INCH CONNECTORS
The information in this section is valid for Elektron devices and the connectors they use.
All Elektron devices use standard 1/4" jacks for all audio input and output. Most synths, guitars, and other electronic instruments use these types of connectors, hence the cables sometimes being referred to as “Instrument Cables”. The connectors are generally referred to as plugs (male) and jacks (female). They are also fairly common in pro audio equipment and professional headphones as well. However, there are two different types of 1/4" connectors Elektron devices use, depending on the jack and device.
TS/TRS Connectors
“TS” and “TRS” refers to the contact layout of the connectors. These terms do not define any other specifications for the cable or audio signal such as impedance or channel count. The letters “T”, “R”, and “S” stand for the following:
T: Tip
R: Ring
S: Sleeve
TS (Tip-Sleeve)
When it comes to audio in Elektron Devices, TS is used for:
Unbalanced Mono Audio
TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve)
When it comes to audio in Elektron Devices, TRS is used for:
Balanced Mono Audio
Unbalanced Stereo or Split Signal Audio
Unbalanced/Balanced Audio
An unbalanced audio connection uses a single signal on the Tip of the connector (TS connector). A balanced audio connection uses two signals on Tip and Ring (TRS connectors) in opposite polarity. A balanced connection can, in some circumstances, help to mitigate some of the signal disturbances that may occur.
There is no physical size difference between the 1/4" balanced and unbalanced connectors so it is possible to for example to plug a TRS plug into a TS jack. However, this may alter the characteristics of the signal connection in different ways:
Jack | Plug | Source signal | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
TRS balanced output | TRS | Balanced | Signal connection is unchanged (balanced). |
TRS balanced output | TS | Balanced | Signal connection is now unbalanced. |
TS unbalanced output | TRS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TS unbalanced output | TS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Balanced | Signal connection is unchanged (balanced). |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TRS balanced input | TS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Stereo | Does not work. Results in left minus right signal (almost no sound in mono) and only work if audio is hard-panned left. |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Split | Does not work. Results in Tip signal minus Ring signal. |
TS unbalanced input | TRS | Balanced | Signal connection is now unbalanced. |
TS unbalanced input | TRS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TS unbalanced input | TS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TS unbalanced input | TRS | Split | Only the signal on the Tip is transferred. |
TO SUMMARIZE For a balanced signal to remain balanced, all connectors used must be TRS. A balanced signal that passes through a TS connector will be unbalanced. An unbalanced signal always remains unbalanced no matter what type of connector (TS or TRS) is used.
QUICK TIP Using a cable with a TS plug in a balanced TRS jack output is perfectly safe. It simply results in that the signal connection will be unbalanced instead.
WARNING Double ring, TRRS connectors in the 3.5 mm format have become common for mobile device headphones with an attached microphone. Many standard 3.5 mm headphone adapters are not designed for these connectors. The result of this is the apparent lack of sound from the device. Therefore, the use of headphones with TRRS connectors is not recommended.
Audio cable connector and signal cheatsheet for Elektron devices
For Elektron devices, all physical Inputs and Outputs are Line Level. The following tables list the signal uses for the IO of all devices. More in-depth information can be found in the device User Manuals under Technical Information.
Model:Cycles and Model Samples
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Digitone and Digitakt
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Digitone Keys
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Track Outs Left/Mono 1-4 | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Track Out Right 1-4 | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Octatrack MKII
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Cue Out L/Cue Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input A-D | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Octatrack MKI
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Cue Out L/Cue Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input A-D | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Analog Four MKII/ Analog Keys
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Track Out 1-4 | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Analog Four MKI
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Stereo | TS |
Analog Rytm MKII
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
External In L/External In R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Track Outs | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Audio In L/Audio In R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Analog Rytm MKI
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Track Out BD-BT | Unbalanced | Split (Tip: BD, Ring: BT) | TRS |
Track Out SD-LT | Unbalanced | Split (Tip: SD, Ring: LT) | TRS |
Track Out CH/OH-MT/HT | Unbalanced | Split (Tip:CH/OH, Ring:MT/HT) | TRS |
Track Out CY/CB - RS/CP | Unbalanced | Split (Tip:CY/CB, Ring:RS/CP) | TRS |
Analog Drive
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
In | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Out | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Analog Heat
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Out L/Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
In L/In R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Monomachine/Machinedrum
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out A/Left | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Main Out B/Right | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Output C-F | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Input A/Input B | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Sidstation
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Out | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
External In | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
CV/EXPRESSION CONTROL - QUARTER INCH CONNECTORS
Some Elektron devices can send or receive analog signals to control various parameters and functionalities. These signals are sent and received through connectors using either TS or TRS 1/4" jacks on the Elektron devices. The different types of signals are:
Control Voltages
Expression Pedals
Footswitches
CV Output
Analog Four MKI/MKII and Analog Keys have dedicated Controlled Voltage outputs. The Analog Four MKII has individual 1/4" TS jacks for each CV output. However, the Analog Four MKI and Analog Keys have 1/4" TRS jacks that can output two different CV signals. The configuration of these are:
Analog Four MKI/Analog Keys CV Outputs
Jack | Tip | Ring |
|---|---|---|
CV Out AB | CV Out A | CV Out B |
CV Out CD | CV Out C | CV Out D |
CV Input, Expression pedals, and Footswitches
Any Elektron device with inputs labeled “Control In” can be configured to receive and use CV, Expression Pedals, or Footswitches. CV and Footswitches (including Sustain Pedals) use cables with 1/4" TS plugs, while Expression Pedals uses cables with TRS plugs.
The way footswitches and expression pedals work electrically can differ from brand to brand. Elektron devices can be configured to support most footswitches or expression pedals.
On some Elektron devices, like the Digitone Keys, footswitches can be used for Sustain or Sostenuto and are labeled as such in the configuration menu.
The Analog Drive supports direct expression pedal input for Gain and Mid EQ parameters.
MIDI - 5-PIN DIN, OR 3.5 MM TRS CONNECTORS
5-pin DIN connectors - Most Devices
With the exception of the Model series devices, all Elektron devices have full-size MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, and MIDI THRU ports. (Analog Drive only has MIDI IN and MIDI OUT). All these devices use standard MIDI Cables with 5-pin DIN connectors.
3.5 mm TRS MIDI (Type A and B) connectors - Model:Samples and Model:Cycles
The Model series uses 3.5 mm TRS “Mini” MIDI connectors for their MIDI IN and MIDI OUT/THRU ports. There are two configurations for these connectors, used by different brands, know as Type A and Type B.
MIDI 5-Pin DIN (Male)
MIDI TRS Type A
MIDI TRS Type B
All Model series devices accept both Type A and Type B configurations. The MIDI IN port accepts any configuration. The MIDI OUT/THRU ports must be set manually to use either a Type A or a Type B configuration. This is done by adjusting the OUT POL parameter (CONFIG MENU > MIDI > PORTS). The available settings are:
STD (for Type A)
INV (for Type B)
QUICK TIP If there seems to be trouble connecting to another MIDI device from a Model series device, try changing the MIDI Output Polarity. All Models series devices come with the CA-3 MIDI Adapter kit, which contains two TRS Type A to 5-pin DIN MIDI Adapters.