[1] The airchain begins with cameras, microphones, CD players, turntables, telephone hybrids, video tape recorders, satellite and other remote feeds, and other input devices in the studio and control room.
The output then goes to an audio processor, and finally to the transmitter, feedline, and antenna.
All-analog airchains typically use cables terminated in XLR connectors between each device.
All-digital airchains also often use XLR connectors, except carrying AES/EBU digital audio instead.
Alternatively, some digital airchains have significant portions of audio carried over TCP/IP, in which case Ethernet is used.