Soldering XLR Connectors Like A Pro 

Good point!

Glad it was helpful!

Roger great to see your name! How you are well. Yup that makes sense. For all those seeing this post Roger knows his stuff.

Thank you!

you shouldn't bond the shield to the ground of the connector for audio. You should keep all of the grounds from interacting until they reach their final destination. That way if there's something else weird on a panel, or the rack rails themselves, then you won't run into problems with that. You want to have a single grounding point.

Thank You!

Thanks

No problem

I prefer to not use shrink. If the wiring is clean and tight I don't believe it has any benefit. It also makes it harder to inspect and see bad solder joints or broken wires. I do use shrink on individual wires in dense connectors like db-25, elco or DL.

I think the reason the cables wound up being so short is because I was trying to keep all my work in the camera frame so they came out shorter than you would normally make them. 12 to 24 in would probably be the normal amount of exposed individual channels you would have depending on the need

In general the clear or black wire is low or cold. The more vibrant color is usually hot (often red) Some cables follow the resistor color code. Black=0, Brown=1, Red=2, Orange=3, Yellow=4, Green=5, blue=6, violet=7, Grey=8, white=9

Unless you are familiar with SMT, removing and replacing components can be difficult. An experienced tech can locate a defective op amp or component but removing and replacing it can be time consuming. You may find an online video to help. Most Behringer equipment requires complete module or PCB replacement. Only because it's cheaper to do than spend time diagnosing and component level servicing. But obtaining modules and parts from Behringer is next to impossible. One thing you need to determine is when a XLR input fails, check to see of the line input of that channel still functions. I've had several behringer mixers, when a channel fails I can still make use the that channel's line input. Sending Behringer equipment to an authorized service tech may not be worth your while or budget. I am a tech and don't waste efforts with products that are made and priced to be disposable.

For microphone use you can tie Pin 1 to that ground tab. I often don't for reasons I have stated in other Reponses. Interesting enough Gotham (Neumann USA) used to make cable that had a separate wire to carry the ground the Shield went to the Tab and the ground went to Pin 1. In theory it was great, but in practice I saw little difference.

@@biasedaudio thanks for the input and will just stick to soldering them the way you taught. It’s easier anyway.

People have differing opinions on this issue. I don't because the XLR Shell is often connected to ground by the chassis of the device that it is connected to anyway. Sometimes If i plug into a wall panel or a device with a ground lift I don't want the shield ground connected to prevent a ground loop. If Pin 1 were soldered to the shell that would bypass the ground lift switch in many devices.

In Truth it depends. Like I said I rarely do it for reasons explained below. I sometimes do it in the hopes of improving RF rejection in microphone cables. If that were the application I would tie pin 1 to the case on both ends.

20 gauge

Ah we all sound alike :)

Often I see that extra drain in foil shield multi pair. I usually do not use it, but if you are using a multichannel connector like a Dsub or Elco you could connect it to the metal cover. But I don't think I ever have.

@@biasedaudio amazing. Thank you for the response. Finally I can ignore the additional drain wire without feeling I’m missing something!

I like to run the gauge of the Teflon slightly larger than the wire so I believe that's 20 gauge

Shrink works, I just like Teflon as it's smaller, tighter, and doesn't shrink away from the connection.

The Mogami cable is 2932, 8 pair Mogami 2552 single channel . My temp was about 650 F, Teflon tubing is hard to find , I spec oversize to make it easier to put on cable, this is 20 Gauge. Expensive. Alpha TFT-200-20 www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/alpha-wire/TFT20020-NA005/3844137

I bough this exact link and it seems too small. are you sure this is the right size ? I’ve got .032 (.81MM ID).

seems like .036 or .04 would work better… but I just want to check.

Are you referring to the outdated use of XLR connections used on Shure speaker columns? EAW used a similar connector but could not be confused for an XLR. If you insist on using XLR for speaker lines, XLR are underrated for such use, follow the wiring arrangement of the speaker cabinet's XLR. Or upgrade to SPKON connectors.

You can Google PTFE tubing, here is one source I trust. www.redco.com/PTFE-Tubing-Insulation/

Nope, that is ok.

Don't know, but if you google SM7B schematic it should show the connections.

Adam got distracted with some family issues, finishing up a video on Dsub connectors then I hope to have grounding video in early Jan

@@biasedaudio A grounding video sound awesome!

As true as that may be that doesn't stop professional audio companies from using that exact terminology look at the back of a UREI LA-3a . So like it or not it is a common (excuse the pun) usage in pro audio.

@@biasedaudio WOW... I have never heard of UREI despite working in pro audio for 47 years. The LA-3a was designed when I was at primary school and when I looked at the back panel I had no idea how to connect it up, in part because of the COM/+- designators which are just plain wrong. Apparently it's just a limiter with soft knee. The first limiters I used were feed-forward limiters (at the BBC) rather than feed-back limiters since that reduced the breathing sound of feed-back limiters on fast attacks. Looking at the circuit of the LA-3a I cannot see where they come up with the COM/+- designators.

@@biasedaudio BTW the reason I found your video is I was looking for a video to send to folk who don't know how to solder XLR connectors so they could learn. You missed out heat shrink but then although I was always taught to use head shrink (or Hellerman sleeves) I rarely bother myself now. But worth a mention.

Its fine, I find using just the drain a little neater

check my how to solder video, I discuss solder in that one. But buy a name brand which ever type you choose.

The extra tab can be used to connect ground to the metal shell of the connector. I usually do not use it and will explain further in my "grounding" video.

Depends on the wire. Generally no. Wont affect the audio quality, but it could be more prone to breakage.

Shielding can work if connected to ground at one end , on a balanced line level signal. I'll go into more detail when I add my grounding episode hopefully soon

@@biasedaudio Thanks for answer!

That's a good question normally I would.

That's a good question normally I would.

That's a good question normally I would. Though if there wasn't a good strain relief on the connector or a boot I might use the whole shield to make it stronger

These are for the back of a patch bay, i opted for rean connectors for the TRS plugs to save abit of coin. These wont seen constant plugging/unplugging so i may be good with the drain! Will test it out! Btw thanks for you vids, made 5 dsub connectors yesterday!

It depends on what type of solder, and how good your iron is. I discuss it in my how to solder video.

I discuss the different soldering option in my basic soldering video.

I've worked in dozens of professional recording studios over the past few decades and none of them have ever used these two types of solder to my knowledge. Most have used common Kester brand.

@biasedaudio copy that, kester thanks for info. Back to my curiosity, is it really affecting noise and sound quality sir?

@@muhammadfebriansyah1647 In my personal opinion there is no benefit. I'm sure others will disagree.

@@biasedaudio thank you sir😁🙏

The first single pair cable didn't have a drain wire just the shield. If it had a drain wire I would have used it. I find putting shrink over a twisted shield cumbersome and not as neat usually. Others will disagree. So the choice is yours.

@@biasedaudio Yes I realize the first one was a shield. just curious why the need to "insulate" the drain but not the shield. So, from your reply I take it it's really just a choice. No real "technical" benefit ? I only ask because I have seen it done both ways but found it curious that you chose the way you did. Thanks much! great vids.

I can only assume the mic is running unbalanced and the noise is half, but the level of the audio is also half. So even though you hear less noise the signal to noise is not improved.

Yes assuming it is a balanced signal, wire hot and ground (shield) to the TS connector and all three to the XLR and the trs. Assuming none of the devices has a input or output transformer

You might be correct

@@biasedaudio I have ordered both ! Do you like the one you mentioned better than the 2552 since it has that extra layer of stuff (it looks like white nylon and some paper I think …

I believe it is Kester "44" .031 inches

Use 63/37. It's a lot better than 60/40.

amzn.to/3FQoPbz

Thank you again!!! When i cut them in the vise it kinda smushed the drain wire and when it’s smushed the Teflon tube won’t go on so I think I need to cut more flush

Hmmm. Is it shielded audio cable? Usually a 3 conductor isn't shielded and not suitable for low level audio if so. Also sometimes there is a clear spacer that doesn't actually contain a copper core, this is usually digital audio cable

I was about to to post a story regarding the delay. I'm finishing up balanced and unbalanced circuits, which is a prerequisite for the grounding

@biasedaudio Really looking forward to that. I have a hard time differentiating the different concepts of ground/shield/drain between the electronics world and the mains electric world. The terminology throws me off.

Darn!

I did verify not in the US. Even the dictionaries list to pronunciation. Without the L first, and with the L "British" Second.You say tomato I say tomato.

Need those Audio Grade Silver Solder?

I believe I use both terms.