Which Snakes Are Easiest to Work On???

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nate74
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Nate74

Nate74

HR4FREBR
From reading info on 8x4 snakes/drop boxes, I'm realizing that they're just all prone to something going wrong. I don't mind spending a little extra to get a better one, but it seems that eventually I'll be doing some soldering.

So which of the availabe 8x4 (XLR/TRS) 50 footers are easiest to work on? Get the boxes open, replace the XLRs, etc.?

A source for your suggestion would be greatly appriciated as well.

Thanks!

BTW, if it matters, this will be used to run mics for drum tracking.
 
Most all of them will be just as easy as any other to work on as long as their is access to the inside. Drop me a PM if you want a quote:)
 
The stage box ends on most I've seen have an access cover so you can work on them. Make sure the fan out end has connectors you can get into and not molded on somehow.
 
robin watson said:
As far as the box itself is concerned, providing it uses a multi-pin connector to attach the cable, I doubt you'd ever have to open it up - those multipin conn's are very robust. Never heard of an XLR socket failing. TRS, perhaps.

XLRs do fail (especially the female ones, the tab will break), but it takes a lot of use.

I have had Neutrik TRS jacks fail on first use :eek: but I consider that a freak incident, it hasn't happened since that one time.
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Why do you need returns on a drop snake??

I've used Whirlwind snakes for YEARS on the road, and NEVER had a channel failure.

Whirlwind Snakes

Here's another that brand that I've had good success with, not as expensive as Whirlwind, but well made for the money:

EWI Snakes
 
I built mine. Sixteen channels forward and four stage returns out of Beldon wire inside 1" liquidtight flex conduit with Switchcraft ends. Bullit proof.
 
michaelst said:
Why do you need returns on a drop snake??
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I plan on using the TRS returns for headphones for the musicians.

I appriciate everybodies' input and think I now what to look for now. Thanks. :)
 
I know which snakes are NOT easiest to work with: ...the ones on a plane.

Sorry :o
 
Nate74 said:
I plan on using the TRS returns for headphones for the musicians.

I appriciate everybodies' input and think I now what to look for now. Thanks. :)
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Yupper...same here. Headphone mix back to the musician's. Very handy to have. If you don't have them, you could use a spare channel and put a multichannel headphone amp on the box end. I've done that too.
 
Which Snakes Are Easiest to Work On???

Dead ones, with their fangs and rattles removed! :D

Seriously, any of the good, "pro quality" snakes that feature heavy-duty stage boxes held together with screws, not rivets (so you can open up the box if needed). Make sure they have proctive steel mesh "strain reliefs on the box end and the fan end, and also look for quality XLR connectors at both ends too (Neutrik or Switchcraft, no "molded plastic" no-name plugs or jacks that can't easily be replaced). I've got a ProCo 16x4 100' snake that I've taken very good care of, and it still looks brand-new... no repairs needed, no problems ever encountered.
 
I would add any thing with a stage box can be worked on connector wise. Just make sure that it uses neutrik panel mount connectors. These are usually rivetted onto the box, but the center can be removed with a small screwdriver thus being able to change from any type of connector (1/4' trs,xlr male or female ) this would be important if your needs ever change or mr. retard trips over cable and destroys. For live use the whirlwind snakes are hard to beat. No matter what, you get what you payfor. The cheaper snakes do not use zfolded cable and can fail. The main problem is if a conductor fails in the cabling, being able to work on the terminations at each end would no longer be of any concern.
 
I have a Whirlwind Medusa that is old as the hills and have had very few poblems. I have had one xlr fail but that's pretty easy to fix. The plugs are swithcraft and original. I agree that the cable used is likely the most important thing. To me returns are a must for the same reasons mentioned above.

F.S.
 
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