Digital XLR vs. Analog XLR - Balanced Cables


What is the difference between a digital XLR/balanced cable and an analog XLR/balanced cable?

What if I used an analog XLR/Balanced cable to carry a digital signal from the digital output of one device to the digital input of another device?

Any risks/damage, etc. . .
ckoffend

Showing 3 responses by narrod

The digital cable is actually AES/BU and the pinout will not be the same. I've never tried a balanced XLR as a digital link and can't tell you if it will cause any damage. I would recommend caution.
Kal,

Is that correct? I know that there is more than one wiring pattern for balanced cables. It has no impact when used as a digital cable?
So all XLR cables are wired the same? How about the XLR jacks? Are hot, neutral and ground all terminated the same? I think not but I may be wrong. For AES/EBU input and output jacks are all terminated with the same pattern.