Author Topic: Active Nak cm300 connector modification (Read 10745 times)

Patrick · « **on:** March 22, 2011, 04:01:53 PM »

I've been putting this project off for years and the time has come.

I want to put connectors on the back of my modded/chopped cm300's and make different breakout cables. Currently, the mics are hardwired to about 15' of cable which is usually much more than I need, even for open taping.

I know people have done this in the past, but will the switchcraft tb3m connector be small enough to fit on the back of the housing? Here is a datasheet. (http://switchcraft.com/productsummary.aspx?Parent=938) I figure I could epoxy the jack in place if it didn't fit quite right. Seems like a perfect option for such a job if the size is right. Thanks for the info!

jbell · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2011, 04:28:33 PM »

I would email Busman! He did a set for me with the minixlr.

Quote from: Patrick on March 22, 2011, 04:01:53 PM

I've been putting this project off for years and the time has come.

I want to put connectors on the back of my modded/chopped cm300's and make different breakout cables. Currently, the mics are hardwired to about 15' of cable which is usually much more than I need, even for open taping.

I know people have done this in the past, but will the switchcraft tb3m connector be small enough to fit on the back of the housing? Here is a datasheet. (http://switchcraft.com/productsummary.aspx?Parent=938) I figure I could epoxy the jack in place if it didn't fit quite right. Seems like a perfect option for such a job if the size is right. Thanks for the info!

Chuck · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2011, 04:37:33 PM »

Most of the ones that I have seen, including a pair I owned, used a washer and one of those panel mount mini-xlr jacks. The washer was held in the capsule assembly with the same retaining ring as the un-modified mics.

kinglerxst · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2011, 08:18:44 PM »

Can this mod be done to Nak 700's as well as the 300's?

Or is the 700 modded differently?

jbell · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2011, 08:25:01 PM »

There are some chopped 700s out there, but I don't think any have been done with a minixlr they are hard wired.

Quote from: kinglerxst on March 22, 2011, 08:18:44 PM

Can this mod be done to Nak 700's as well as the 300's?

Or is the 700 modded differently?

kinglerxst · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2011, 10:23:48 PM »

>There are some chopped 700s out there, but I don't think any have been done with a minixlr they are hard wired.

Thanks for the info. The 700's seem to be a better mic, but I would definitely prefer to be able to switch out caps, so the xlr modded 300's looks like it'd be the way to go for that.

Patrick · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2011, 08:33:38 AM »

Quote from: kinglerxst on March 22, 2011, 10:23:48 PM

>There are some chopped 700s out there, but I don't think any have been done with a minixlr they are hard wired.

Thanks for the info. The 700's seem to be a better mic, but I would definitely prefer to be able to switch out caps, so the xlr modded 300's looks like it'd be the way to go for that.

The 700's have switchable caps as well.

Roger Gustavsson · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2011, 09:09:42 AM »

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=143853.0

I have some pictures of "how to". Do you want them?

You can also do like I did.

http://www.twin-x.com/groupdiy/albums/userpics/chopped_Nakamichis.jpg

http://www.twin-x.com/groupdiy/albums/userpics/short_Nakamichis.jpg

Roger

Patrick · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2011, 09:49:51 AM »

Quote from: Roger Gustavsson on March 23, 2011, 09:09:42 AM

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=143853.0

I have some pictures of "how to". Do you want them?

Thanks Roger. I can't tell from the pictures but is that the Switchcraft TB3M connector inside there? I don't have my mics in front of me, so if I can make sure that the connector fits, I'm all good.

kinglerxst · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2011, 09:53:03 AM »

>The 700's have switchable caps as well.

I know they do have switchable caps, but can they be modded down to the minimum size like the 300's (Franken-Nak's) and still have switchable caps? It was mentioned the 700's can be chopped down but then become hard-wired which to me means the caps become permanent (cable is hard-wired to the cap), but not exactly sure of how the 700's are modded.

The size of the Franken-Nak 300's is where I'd need to be, but was just wondering if the same thing can be done to the 700's. I would be ok with the cable being permanently attached to a small piece of body that the caps attach to (like a collette I guess), but not really if it's still a "remote" kind of thing where the body is just further down the line.

jbell · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2011, 09:56:59 AM »

You can still switch the caps! It is hard wired to the Attenuator housing.

Quote from: kinglerxst on March 23, 2011, 09:53:03 AM

>The 700's have switchable caps as well.

I know they do have switchable caps, but can they be modded down to the minimum size like the 300's (Franken-Nak's) and still have switchable caps? It was mentioned the 700's can be chopped down but then become hard-wired which to me means the caps become permanent (cable is hard-wired to the cap), but not exactly sure of how the 700's are modded.

The size of the Franken-Nak 300's is where I'd need to be, but was just wondering if the same thing can be done to the 700's. I would be ok with the cable being permanently attached to a small piece of body that the caps attach to (like a collette I guess), but not really if it's still a "remote" kind of thing where the body is just further down the line.

Patrick · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2011, 09:58:16 AM »

Quote from: kinglerxst on March 23, 2011, 09:53:03 AM

I know they do have switchable caps, but can they be modded down to the minimum size like the 300's (Franken-Nak's) and still have switchable caps?

Absolutely!

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,74404.0.html

kinglerxst · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2011, 10:14:16 AM »

Thanks all for the 700 clarification. It looks a little longer than the 300 mod with the xlr connection, but probably still do-able for what I would be using them for.

My next question would be.....is anyone actively doing the mod for the 700's? Looks like someone is doing the 300 mod, but is that the case for the 700 as well? I'd probably still go with getting the 300's modded if the 700's are more of a DIY as I'm not really set-up to do it.

ts · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2011, 10:25:05 AM »

Quote from: Patrick on March 23, 2011, 09:58:16 AM

Quote from: kinglerxst on March 23, 2011, 09:53:03 AM
I know they do have switchable caps, but can they be modded down to the minimum size like the 300's (Franken-Nak's) and still have switchable caps?

Absolutely!

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,74404.0.html

I still have the modded 700's. Actually using them this weekend with a Tinybox>M10. I had the AT phantom power modules removed and now use the Tinybox. I sure would like to get that hard wire removed and have detachable cables. I think Chris Church can do it or busman or maybe soemone else on here?

audBall · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2011, 10:31:22 AM »

I swear I remember somebody posting pics of their 700s with a minixlr connector in the attenuator barrel. I seem to recall the guy saying he used a die to rethread the barrel.

After searching on here for a while last night, nothing turned up.

Roger Gustavsson · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2011, 10:42:50 AM »

Some pictures showing the CM300 and the CM700 with Mini XLR.

http://www.twin-x.com/groupdiy/albums/userpics/normal_CM300_1.jpg

http://www.twin-x.com/groupdiy/albums/userpics/normal_CM300_2.jpg

http://www.twin-x.com/groupdiy/albums/userpics/CM700.jpg

audBall · « **Reply #16 on:** March 23, 2011, 10:44:50 AM »

Beautiful work!

Hypnocracy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2011, 08:37:22 PM »

igene had a mod for the Franke 700's that was as slick as I've ever seen....looked like one of Rogers Pics with Standard back end XLR and Mini XLR...PM him

BusDriver · « **Reply #18 on:** March 23, 2011, 09:32:20 PM »

Who is doing the mod similar to what just sold in yard sale?

Cap and attenuator with ta3 connector ....

jbell · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2011, 07:23:42 AM »

Busman

Quote from: Busdriver on March 23, 2011, 09:32:20 PM

Who is doing the mod similar to what just sold in yard sale?

Cap and attenuator with ta3 connector ....

igene · « **Reply #20 on:** March 24, 2011, 08:42:23 PM »

Quote from: audBall on March 23, 2011, 10:31:22 AM

I swear I remember somebody posting pics of their 700s with a minixlr connector in the attenuator barrel. I seem to recall the guy saying he used a die to re-thread the barrel.

After searching on here for a while last night, nothing turned up.

Quote from: Roger Gustavsson on March 23, 2011, 10:42:50 AM

Some pictures showing the CM300 and the CM700 with Mini XLR.
http://www.twin-x.com/groupdiy/albums/userpics/CM700.jpg

That's my mod (not Roger's)
(note the same surface...)

I've been too lazy to finish it, but it's nearly there.
(the guts are all out of both of them)
I still need to do some cutting and filing.
So here's an updated shot. (dummied up)
If I can get past the couple things I'm working on right now,
I'll probably complete this in 2 weeks from now.

igene · « **Reply #21 on:** March 25, 2011, 12:52:57 AM »

TEASER >

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #22 on:** March 25, 2011, 12:55:04 AM »

Quote from: igene on March 25, 2011, 12:52:57 AM

TEASER >

BADASS Gene

BTW, do the 700's have switchable caps?

igene · « **Reply #23 on:** March 25, 2011, 02:09:47 AM »

Quote

BADASS Gene

BTW, do the 700's have switchable caps?

Yes they do.
They take CP-701 (Cardioid) and CP-702 (Omni)
(possibly others... ?, but that's all I'm sure of)

I actually need a 702 cap. I only have 1.
I'd like to have one for when this is completed for group recording.
I mean when folks get together and play guitar, sing, read...
I don't actually have ANY omni's.

Chuck · « **Reply #24 on:** March 25, 2011, 08:59:01 AM »

That is pretty slick gene.

kirk97132 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 25, 2011, 01:08:07 PM »

Years ....like 20....before Tracy Korby became the mic builder he is now. he modded his Nak 700's and they had a BNC connector. I believe that he moved the battery away from the caps and I know he added som roll off on the low end. But it had been a damn long time since I used or even saw those mics. A buddy has them and still uses them. I do know that the BNC made for a great connection at least with the mod Tarcy did. sorry I don't have more detail info

igene · « **Reply #26 on:** March 25, 2011, 01:31:06 PM »

Quote from: Chuck on March 25, 2011, 08:59:01 AM

That is pretty slick gene.

I spent a long time staring at and thinking about how to do that.
Like weeks...
I wanted it to not only be functional and aesthetically pleasing, but reversible if need be.
This turned out to be a good solution.
Now I just need to finish it.
The hard part is done.

I have a video project due on Tuesday that MUST be completed.
90 mins of audio/video to edit, construct DVD's with detailed menus and then burn...
why am I still here.
later.

ero3030 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 25, 2011, 01:44:52 PM »

look like a little set of mg m300's!!

Quote from: Bean on March 25, 2011, 12:55:04 AM

Quote from: igene on March 25, 2011, 12:52:57 AM
TEASER >

BADASS Gene

BTW, do the 700's have switchable caps?

Chuck · « **Reply #28 on:** March 25, 2011, 01:46:01 PM »

Quote from: ero3030 on March 25, 2011, 01:44:52 PM

look like a little set of mg m300's!!

They do!

Patrick · « **Reply #29 on:** March 25, 2011, 02:28:46 PM »

Igene, what kind of male panel AND female cable connector did you use in that mod? I like the look of both of them. I'm especially interested in the black female cable connectors since the switchcraft ta3's can sometimes feel a little cheap to me. I'm always afraid of failing on busy stages, crowded snake boxes, etc.

audBall · « **Reply #30 on:** March 25, 2011, 03:09:46 PM »

Never saw those before.

Dig em:
http://www.neutrik.com/re/en/audio/204_1340631792/REAN_TINY_xlr_Cable_Connectors_productlist.aspx

Chuck · « **Reply #31 on:** March 25, 2011, 03:37:23 PM »

I agree that the switchcraft mini-xlr's are sketchy. The Neutrik's look much better.

Patrick · « **Reply #32 on:** March 25, 2011, 05:33:56 PM »

Quote from: audBall on March 25, 2011, 03:09:46 PM

Never saw those before.

Dig em:
http://www.neutrik.com/re/en/audio/204_1340631792/REAN_TINY_xlr_Cable_Connectors_productlist.aspx

Wow! They're dirt cheap too! $1.49 each for the reans, and $6.30 for the switchcrafts. Can anyone make a comment on the build quality of the Neutrik vs. Switchcraft connectors?

FWIW, the reans are rated for 1000 plug cycles, while the switchcrafts are rated for 2000. Not sure if that means anything or not...

igene · « **Reply #33 on:** March 25, 2011, 07:38:42 PM »

the Rean's are better if not only in overall build and look, but the tab to push for release is WAY bigger.
It makes for a much easier, smoother release.

Here are the miniXLR panel connectors used >
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Neutrik/RT3MP/?qs=%252b86TLfaev28wiRW6ralmRw%3d%3d

Patrick · « **Reply #34 on:** March 25, 2011, 08:32:50 PM »

Quote from: igene on March 25, 2011, 07:38:42 PM

the Rean's are better if not only in overall build and look, but the tab to push for release is WAY bigger.
It makes for a much easier, smoother release.

Here are the miniXLR panel connectors used >
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Neutrik/RT3MP/?qs=%252b86TLfaev28wiRW6ralmRw%3d%3d

Thanks for the first hand info. All this is very helpful!

Author Topic: Active Nak cm300 connector modification (Read 10745 times)

kirk97132