The Switchcraft Male 1/4" to Male XLR Adapter is a simple connector that can be used to convert any XLR cable to have a 1/4" end on the male end of it. This can be useful in a number of different situations, but what I've used it for is for sending a mono signal from an instrument straight into a female XLR microphone input - both on a mixer and in the studio. It can certainly be used for other applications, but that's the reason that I've got a few of these lying around my home studio. Something like this isn't necessary for everyone, as I haven't found myself needing this connector for quite some time. In fact, most won't need this at all. However, if you do indeed need a male 1/4" to male XLR adapter, Switchcraft's version is as good as any. I've had two of them for a number of years, and while I must admit that they don't see much action, they have held up over the years and are on hand if I ever need them. I got them for my home studio as you really never know when you might need any given connector. If you're going to have clients come in and record, it's definitely crucial that you have any and all connections and converters on hand just in case you need one. I don't know if I can recommend this particular brand of converter over another one, as I don't think I've used another brand's version of this to date. It really shouldn't make all that much of a difference as long as it holds up, so I just went for the cheapest and most readily available ones that I could find. If you need an adapter like this one, I definitely wouldn't hesitate with this one made by Switchcraft.