4 

Connection Diagrams 

M-Audio M3-6 monitors feature balanced XLR and 1/4" connectors, as well as unbalanced 
RCA-type analog inputs. Connect the outputs of your audio interface, monitor controller, mixer, 
or other line-level device to these inputs. 

Tip:

 If your mixer, interface, or other audio source features both XLR/TRS and RCA-type 

outputs, use the XLR or TRS connectors instead of the RCA connectors whenever possible. 
XLR and TRS cables incorporate a "balanced" design that carries a signal over three 
conductors ("hot," "cold," and "ground") instead of two conductors as found in RCA cables 
("hot," and "ground"). This results in lower noise, higher rejection of radio-frequency (RF) 
interference, and better overall fidelity. If XLR/TRS jacks are unavailable, use RCA-style cables 
but try to keep the cables as short as possible. 

Scenario 1 

 
Audio Interface  
(Balanced TRS  
to Balanced TRS) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Scenario 2 

Mixer  
(Balanced XLR  
to Balanced XLR) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Scenario 3 

 
Preamplifier  
(Unbalanced RCA  
to Unbalanced RCA) 
 
 

VOLUME

LOW

MID

HIGH

VOLUME

LOW

MID

HIGH

MIDI IN

VOL

MIDI OUT

R

L

R

L

USB

VOLUME

LOW

MID

HIGH

VOLUME

LOW

MID

HIGH

VOLUME

LOW

MID

HIGH

VOLUME

LOW

MID

HIGH

L

R