building my own XLR cables

  • Thread starter Thread starter antispatula
  • Start date Start date
xstatic said:
I can do a 10' snake with Neutrik connectors and Belden wire for $90 if you are interested:)
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You keep that up, and youll surpass my DAV pimping. ;)
 
I've made a billion patch cords and such with Horizon cables ( http://www.horizonmusic.com/ ) and Switchcraft connectors. Switchcraft has great connectors that's been around a long time. Suprised they weren't mentioned here.
 
antispatula said:
I honestly can't believe anyone can actually hear a difference between lets say a hosa and a mogami when it comes to SOUND quality.
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Well, you better believe it. Try it sometime. I think you may be suprised.
 
HangDawg said:
Well, you better believe it. Try it sometime. I think you may be suprised.
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I agree. I can tell a big difference. Most people probably cant. But think about someone who can and them saying " man that is a great sounding recording". Making the cables is a cheaper way to go. Im in the process of doing it as well. Mogami cable isn't that bad expensive (55.00 / 100ft). Nor is gold neutrik xlr connectors. But 1/4" TRS gold connectors are high dollar for neutrik (5.00). Ouch.. I'm looking this guy on ebay selling gold trs amphonal connectos pretty cheap (1.80) . As soon I get the specs on them I will decide weither to buy them or not.

Always match up specs to on outer diameter jacket of the cable and also wire awg, to make sure you get the right thing.
 
riffy said:
I've made a billion patch cords and such with Horizon cables ( http://www.horizonmusic.com/ ) and Switchcraft connectors. Switchcraft has great connectors that's been around a long time. Suprised they weren't mentioned here.
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Great, because I just bought 8 Switchcraft XLRF connectors!

So I can make a good cable out of horizon and switchraft?
 
Not mentioned, probably because not too many people own/use one, but for bulk work such as this, a solder pot is a god send:

http://search.ebay.com/search/searc.../&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=solder+pot&category0=

This will seriously reduce your workload/time/stress level. Making cables is NOT all that fun once the novelty wears off. Several hours into it, and you'll just want to get it over and done with.

Another invaluable tool are mechanised strippers. Not recommended in computer LAN installations (!), since they can be a bit aggressive on the conductor, but if set correctly, they are fine for stripping the inner conductors - don't use these on the outer sleeve though. The seventh item down is along the lines of what I'm talking about.

http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...os=ZIP/Postal&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=
 
What I find works nicely is extremely fine solder. Shove a half inch of it into the connector alongside the wire. Heat the connector. If you do it right, the solder should spread and fill the solder cup, bonding with the wire in the process.

I just wish you could solder connectors the way chips are soldered to circuit boards. They basically fasten little balls of solder to the bottom of the chip, then sit the chip down on top of it and, in some cases, add glue to help hold the chip into place. Finally, they put the board in the oven, which melts the solder balls and optionally cures the glue. :D

So why can't we have pre-tinned connectors?
 
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