DB25 (AES59 analog) pinout
DB25 Pinout (TASCAM Analog / AES59)
The TASCAM DB25 convention, standardized as AES59, packs eight balanced analog channels into one 25-pin D-sub: each channel gets a hot, cold, and ground pin, with pin 13 unused. It is the de facto breakout standard on interfaces, converters, and patchbays.
| Pin | Signal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 24 / 12 / 25 | Ch 1 (+/−/G) | Channel 1 hot, cold, ground. |
| 10 / 23 / 11 | Ch 2 (+/−/G) | Channel 2 hot, cold, ground. |
| 21 / 9 / 22 | Ch 3 (+/−/G) | Channel 3 hot, cold, ground. |
| 7 / 20 / 8 | Ch 4 (+/−/G) | Channel 4 hot, cold, ground. |
| 18 / 6 / 19 | Ch 5 (+/−/G) | Channel 5 hot, cold, ground. |
| 4 / 17 / 5 | Ch 6 (+/−/G) | Channel 6 hot, cold, ground. |
| 15 / 3 / 16 | Ch 7 (+/−/G) | Channel 7 hot, cold, ground. |
| 1 / 14 / 2 | Ch 8 (+/−/G) | Channel 8 hot, cold, ground. |
| 13 | Not connected | Unused in the analog standard. |
What it’s used for
DB25 looms are how multichannel analog moves between racks: interface to patchbay, console inserts, summing rigs. One connector replaces eight XLR pairs and makes 32-channel rigs cable-manageable.
The same physical connector also carries the AES59 digital variant (four AES3 input pairs and four output pairs) on many interfaces, and legacy Yamaha digital gear used a different, incompatible assignment. Analog and digital looms are not interchangeable even when both ends fit.
Wiring & termination notes
- Use the jackscrews. A DB25 held by friction will let go exactly once, during the show.
- Buy or build looms labeled "TASCAM/AES59 analog"; "DB25 audio cable" without a standard named is a gamble.
- Fan-out tails follow the same channel table; when a channel dies, check the table before re-soldering the wrong pin.
- For the digital AES59 variant and Yamaha legacy pinouts, consult the device manual; the channel-to-pin map differs from the analog table above.
Frequently asked questions
Are all DB25 audio cables wired the same?
No. TASCAM/AES59 analog is the dominant standard, but AES59 digital and legacy Yamaha digital assignments exist on the same connector. Match the loom to the port standard, not the shell.
Can I use a serial or printer DB25 cable for audio?
Physically it mates; electrically it is unshielded, unpaired conductors never meant for balanced audio. Crosstalk and hum make it a rehearsal-only emergency at best.