Author Topic: XLR mod with logical LEFT & RIGHT markers (harder to screw up) (Read 5797 times)

igene · « **on:** September 22, 2010, 12:00:02 PM »

I saw the GAKables setup and decided to do my own mod to improve my own rig.

It took a day cutting, filing, wrapping, marking etc...

I'm real happy with the final result and thought I'd share.

The mics in this instance are unimportant.
You can see the markings on the bottom of the caps protruding through the holder.

Hope this inspires someone else.
(I could do this for some $$ if someone is interested in the mod)
FYI - the XLR's I modded were wired direct to the mic - no disconnect.

This is my 1st try, so I noticed a few things that could be cleaned up for a neater look.
I may do that later.
Right now, they are fully functional.
Mechanically - they are sound. (pun = bonus)

let me know what you think...!

;^)

Chuck · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2010, 12:19:13 PM »

Nice job. I really like the look of those.

igene · « **Reply #2 on:** September 22, 2010, 01:30:17 PM »

Quote from: Chuck on September 22, 2010, 12:19:13 PM

Nice job. I really like the look of those.

Thanks.

I explored many options for the end caps alone.
There's no stress on the internal wires and it can handle a serious yank... (even a hanging preamp off the end ?)
Accidents DO happen !

greenone · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2010, 09:32:42 PM »

Very handsome looking. Fwiw, i just put a couple of round colored stickers on the back of my right angles... One red/right with an R on it and one white/left with an L on it. Still doesn't stop me from setting them up wrong in the first place If I'm in a hurry, but makes it painfully obvious that I've done so when I realize it five minutes into a show...

newplanet7 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2010, 10:03:52 PM »

Nice job.
I have one silver and one black xlr. Fool proof.

igene · « **Reply #5 on:** September 22, 2010, 10:53:10 PM »

Quote from: greenone on September 22, 2010, 09:32:42 PM

Very handsome looking. Fwiw, i just put a couple of round colored stickers on the back of my right angles... One red/right with an R on it and one white/left with an L on it. Still doesn't stop me from setting them up wrong in the first place If I'm in a hurry, but makes it painfully obvious that I've done so when I realize it five minutes into a show...

The red and blue are both on the back end and on the cable, that way no matter how you look at it - you see which side is which.
And they look neat and presentable, not some red electrical tape or something.

ArchivalAudio · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2010, 03:25:49 AM »

Nice job
very good!
this is cool but would be better in the "cables" section
since it really has nothing to do with the mics
--Ian

igene · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2010, 09:19:16 AM »

well...it sort of does, and sort of doesn't.
should it be in both ?

It's not about the cable, but the XLR...

just woke up,
I need a cup of coffee.

John Willett · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2010, 12:29:38 PM »

Interesting - but why didn't you just get a rt,angled XLR and coloured cap or rings?

igene · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2010, 01:12:23 PM »

I really like the look of that, but mine was basically free.
I was working with what I had, and I enjoy the creative process.

Besides, they are unique in their own way.

besides that, mine are shorter off the back of the pre.
Fits into a tighter spot.

( the red cap in your pic is HOT )

darktrain · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2010, 10:34:27 PM »

Quote from: igene on September 24, 2010, 01:12:23 PM

I really like the look of that, but mine was basically free.
I was working with what I had, and I enjoy the creative process.
Besides, they are unique in their own way.

besides that, mine are shorter off the back of the pre.
Fits into a tighter spot.

( the red cap in your pic is HOT )

Those proper RA neutriks are actually shorter?lower profile than your mod but like you said you were working with what you had

tgakidis · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2010, 08:53:22 AM »

Nice work

Never say you can't screw up because there is always a chance

igene · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2010, 09:33:57 AM »

Quote from: tgakidis on September 25, 2010, 08:53:22 AM

Nice work

Never say you can't screw up because there is always a chance

You're right,
FIXED !

mosquito · « **Reply #13 on:** September 29, 2010, 06:14:38 PM »

Looks great to me.

FWIW, I simply put a zip tie on each end of one (the right) cable. There have been a couple of times where I had to set up in the dark and being able to confidently feel what was where made a difference.

andromedanwarmachine · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2010, 03:16:54 AM »

wow- that's almost as far-out as some of the things I get up to!!

andromedanwarmachine · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2010, 03:19:57 AM »

sorry- which I use for this...

igene · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2010, 10:42:57 AM »

That looks like a lot of wire to stuff into 1 connector.

Looks good (and funky too).
very tight corner !

andromedanwarmachine · « **Reply #17 on:** October 04, 2010, 06:01:40 AM »

Yeah- I took the Rycote advice on a basket size for my ECM 999 and it was like carrying a cactus or a baguette!

So I went for the smallest basket I could get for ease of carraige and made a 180 degree connector! Single point stereo so two balanced lines plus a power remote to save having to open the basket each time to turn the Mic on...

Works a treat...

Shadow_7 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2010, 10:51:30 AM »

I just mark the cables with a bunch of these in the appropriate color.

http://cableorganizer.com/wire-wrap/

They come in a variety of colors and typically have two of each color per bag. I put one on both ends of the cable. But even with markings you can still accidentally invert things. If you turn the stereo pair upside down, or put the mics behind the band (facing the audience) and any number of odd configurations. I typically travel between the parking lot and venue with the gear untethered. So the colorization is to help make the setup quicker on location and less questionable. Seeing the red for right and white for left aspect really helps speed up the process. Relative to trying to read a small L or small R tucked away in some poorly lit behind / under the rack connector. The velcro wraps also come in handy to keep the cord snug to the stand and otherwise keep some slack near the mics to help with cable transmitted sounds. And in a crunch you can take them off on location and form a small velcro rope to tether the mic stand to a fence or light post on a hill.

igene · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2010, 12:58:38 PM »

IMHO - ANYTHING you can do to get your rig set up quickly and correctly is beneficial.
There is no hard and fast rule that says - "do it this way only".
It comes down to the individual's needs. Maybe you need 10 different cues to help you out.

If you are sharp and focused, you may just need a tag or piece of tape or sharpie mark.
But if you are enjoying yourself excessively - there may not be anything you can do to prevent screwing up.
Been there !

My idea / prototype is just one more thing to help the average taper get it right.
Plenty of distractions at a show. puff puff...
Plenty of variable encountered during the show to ruin the recording. WOO WOO - JERRY ! (right next to you)

Having said that -
Electrical tape gets gooey / sticky after a while and peels off,
Sharpie marks wear off, Velcro gets lost ... but if you make something permanent on your connector - you're good for a long time.

The cable wraps are a good idea, helps manage your cable too...
Even a colored tie wrap is good / just not too tight around the wire.