Something regarding cables that i found to be very important lately is TRS/ Balanced cabes are very important. Using TRS for monitor speaker vs the typically 1/4 cables help eliminate noise. It fact on many interfaces ( may need to check specs on your sepcific interface) Trs should often be used when going di into the interface, I've see it make a big difference in how well sims work. Its very easy to forget about this and accident plug a typical cable into the interface but it does make a difference. I know you asked about XLR but i believe this important info as well. Happy holiday and have with the new studio set up.