TS cable only processed unbalanced and mono audio, a TRS cable is capable of balanced audio in both mono and stereo format.
The noticeable difference between the two types of cables is that the TS cable has one ring on the tip, whereas the TRS cable has two rings.
A guitar uses a TS cable.
Although TS cables often have noise interference because they are unbalanced, most instruments and audio units still require them. This is because switching to balanced cables would require additional complex components and the process would be expensive. The common cable for guitar is indeed the TS.
Since TS cables are shielded, they do not produce an unmanageable amount of noise. Good quality cables not only last for a long period of time but also have minimal interference. If you have been using high-quality cables and still experiencing issues, then you should look into your amp because that could be the main culprit.
Why Don’t Guitars Use Balanced Cables?
Guitars don’t use balanced cables because this would require changing the standard circuitry, output jack, and additional components. This would make it an expensive process and hence not much research has gone into output jacks that require balanced cables to produce sound.
Humbucker pickups were created for electric guitars to cancel the sound produced by single-coil pickups. Thus, guitars today do not produce large amounts of unwanted noise interference even though they use unbalanced cables.
Will A TRS Cable Work As A Guitar Cable?
Yes, a TRS cable will work as a guitar cable but it will still not conduct a balanced signal.
This is because even when you plug a balanced TRS cable into your guitar, the guitar is capable of producing only an unbalanced signal.
So if you are planning to use a TRS cable to get rid of noise, this method will not work. However, in an emergency when you don’t have a TS cable, a TRS can work as a replacement.
What Are TRS Cables Used For?
TRS cables are used for devices such as microphones, stereo headphones (to combine both the left and right mono channels), and even mixing desks.
LCD monitors will built-in speakers generally require a 3.5mm male TRS or TRRS to connect to an audio interface.
