With "Universal" or "combo jacks" connectors being popular it is now
becoming common to see this.
The Universal can accept either xlr or 1/4"
MOTU uses them on some equipment and RME uses them on the Quadmic Pre.

I use them in custom boxs to save space. From one connector I can wire the
mic to xlr and use the 1/4" for unbalanced line in and also the 1/4" for
unbalanced out.

Photo at: http://www.rme-audio.de/english/micpreamps/quadmic.htm

Rich

"Julian Adamaitis" wrote in message
...

"mark" wrote in message
...
I notice some audio interfaces have either XLR and 1/4" TRS balanced
inputs,
or both. The MOTU 896HD has mainly XLR while the MOTU 828mkII has mainly
TRS. My question is, can Mics be plugged into balanced TRS inputs?
XLR-TRS
cables?

Say I had a 828MKii and wanted to record 3 mics, it only has 2 XLR inputs

I've never seen anything with a TRS mic input. I'd assume it was a line
in if TRS. Get a preamp. Behringers are about $100 for 2 ch's.

Julian