For best noise rejection and the ability to run long cables a three-conductor balanced cable can be used which terminates in a three-pin XLR connector. 

Phone connectors (stereo-type) 

Properly wired stereo-type phone connectors can also be used with balanced microphone cable. Some mixers provide one or both of these options. 

Some lower cost systems make use of unbalanced mixer inputs and require simple two-conductor microphone cables with a standard mono phone connector. These types of cables are more susceptible to noise when used with long cable runs.