<insert expletives here>
So, a while ago, after modding/upgrading my CAD Trion 8000, i noticed that, when wiggling the 6-pin XLR cable where it was plugged in, i was getting some noise (a bit like a dirty pot, but not quite as "piercing" / crackling of a sound). I figured i'd replace the connectors at the ends of the cable, plus the ones in the power supply, for "peace of mind", as it were. I mean, how much could go wrong with the connector inside the mic, right?
So last week i finally get around to ordering the new parts, they arrived today, and after i finished the day's work, i sat down to do the deed. The ones in the power supply were a bit fiddly (cramped quarters, short wires), but i did it.
Come testing time, when i wanted to plug the female connector into the mic, it wouldn't fit. What the hell?!? It's a plain ol' 6-pin XLR, dammit...
Couple minutes later, i noticed the issue - the ones in the mic / the old ones on the cable and in the power supply are indeed 6-pin XLR's, but the pin layout is, for some reason, MIRRORED compared to the brand new Neutriks i got.
<insert even more expletives here>
Deep breath...
Ok - apparently Switchcraft does indeed make, like, "stand-alone" XLR inserts, and the QG6M would be what i'd need - about 11$ a pop(!!!) at a couple of their US distributors. Eleven bucks, for a tiny piece of plastic; that's about as much as i paid for ONE (entire) Neutrik NC6-FXX...
Upon a bit more research, it seems that Switchcraft decided to use an a*s-backwards / non-standard pin layout, on their multipin XLR's? A look at the technical drawings would indicate that the stock connectors were *ahem* Switchcraft-compatible.
Or, well, the pin layout's virtually identical, but the "key ridge" is a good few degrees in the wrong direction.
I might've also found that Neutrik makes (or made?) the NCxMC-I series of inserts, but i can't confirm that, since even where i did find it for sale, there were no pictures.
Are there ANY manufacturers that make NON-"Switchcraft" inserts??? I know Amphenol also make decent connectors, but do they make (or sell) inserts alone?
Hmm... I just got a thought, after pasting together the attached photo - worst case, i guess i COULD grind off the key-ridge from the female XLR, so it can be plugged into the mic (albeit rotated a bit)...
Top of the photo: stock connector vs. Neutrik, both latches vertical
Bottom of the photo: ditto, but with the stock one rotated so the pins & numbers actually match
So, a while ago, after modding/upgrading my CAD Trion 8000, i noticed that, when wiggling the 6-pin XLR cable where it was plugged in, i was getting some noise (a bit like a dirty pot, but not quite as "piercing" / crackling of a sound). I figured i'd replace the connectors at the ends of the cable, plus the ones in the power supply, for "peace of mind", as it were. I mean, how much could go wrong with the connector inside the mic, right?
So last week i finally get around to ordering the new parts, they arrived today, and after i finished the day's work, i sat down to do the deed. The ones in the power supply were a bit fiddly (cramped quarters, short wires), but i did it.
Come testing time, when i wanted to plug the female connector into the mic, it wouldn't fit. What the hell?!? It's a plain ol' 6-pin XLR, dammit...
Couple minutes later, i noticed the issue - the ones in the mic / the old ones on the cable and in the power supply are indeed 6-pin XLR's, but the pin layout is, for some reason, MIRRORED compared to the brand new Neutriks i got.
<insert even more expletives here>
Deep breath...
Ok - apparently Switchcraft does indeed make, like, "stand-alone" XLR inserts, and the QG6M would be what i'd need - about 11$ a pop(!!!) at a couple of their US distributors. Eleven bucks, for a tiny piece of plastic; that's about as much as i paid for ONE (entire) Neutrik NC6-FXX...
Upon a bit more research, it seems that Switchcraft decided to use an a*s-backwards / non-standard pin layout, on their multipin XLR's? A look at the technical drawings would indicate that the stock connectors were *ahem* Switchcraft-compatible.
Or, well, the pin layout's virtually identical, but the "key ridge" is a good few degrees in the wrong direction.
I might've also found that Neutrik makes (or made?) the NCxMC-I series of inserts, but i can't confirm that, since even where i did find it for sale, there were no pictures.
Are there ANY manufacturers that make NON-"Switchcraft" inserts??? I know Amphenol also make decent connectors, but do they make (or sell) inserts alone?
Hmm... I just got a thought, after pasting together the attached photo - worst case, i guess i COULD grind off the key-ridge from the female XLR, so it can be plugged into the mic (albeit rotated a bit)...
Top of the photo: stock connector vs. Neutrik, both latches vertical
Bottom of the photo: ditto, but with the stock one rotated so the pins & numbers actually match