amble wrote:
i'm making a y cable. it is a stereo TRS unbalanced (T-left R-right)
to 2 XLR'S. the shield wire from the TRS splits to go to pin 1 of each
XLR.

This doesn't sound like a Y cable. It sounds like an insert cable.

should i connect the signal wire (T and R) to pin 2 on the respective
XLR connectors and put a jumper between pins 1 and 3 of each XLR
connector?

Depends what you're plugging it into. If you're going into an old-style
transformer-coupled device, the ground jumper on the return is absolutely
necessary. For most electronically-coupled devices, it's okay but isn't
needed. Occasionally you will find an electronically-coupled device
where it has to be removed.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."