OK gang... I need a little assistance!!!

I've been out of the install business for quite some time, and recently
"volunteered" to rewire my alma-mater's radio studios. It's not a huge
job, but I've discovered that some of my favorite vendors no longer seem
to exist... and, choices I made years ago may no longer be all that
wise, as I am sure the technology continues to race ahead, even for
something as interesting as wiring. Any and all advice on choices for
the following will be greatly appreciated!!!

Patchbays - actually, I did find a great patchbay at Audio Accessories,
it uses a Molex connector for each pair of jacks, which make
repair/replacement of cables a snap. I think I like it even better than
the old multipin connector solution (I KNOW I like it a whole lot better
than terminal strips or punch-down blocks!!). It's cheaper to boot. The
connectors are a new (at least to me) type from EDAC using interlocking
blades instead of those awful, and ubiquitous round pins and sockets. A
"special" crimping tool is required, but that doesn't really bother me
since I think I'll probably take this opportunity to rewire my studio as
well.

If you haven't seen these yet, and you have need for such a beast check
out: www.patchbays.com/shorti_main.htm

Has anyone actually used these? I'd love to hear that they are as cool
as I think they are.

Cable - I used to use Gotham Audio GAC-2/1, it was very easy to work
with, had the dual shield which has worked out better than foil even in
fixed installations for me, and it is reasonanbly priced. Unfortuantely,
the supplier I used to use, DGS Audio, no longer seems to be. Any
suggestions for a similar cable from Gepco, Alpha, Belden, etc? Any
suggestions for good suppliers?

Connectors (XLR and 1/4" TRS) - I'm in the same boat, I used to use the
Deltron connectors, and I used to get them from DGS. The Neutrik
connectors seem to be about as easy to build, but they cost a lot more
than I remember. Suggestions?

Cable Markers - I really like the old slip-on plastic numbers and
letters. I can't even remember where I found them when I found them
years ago (and I do remember labelling being a very time consuming
process with them - but they were indestructable and VERY easy to read).
Searching the web has produced results, the ones that look the most
interesting are the little label printers, but they are expensive, and
I'm wondering if they can make a legible label for really skinny cables.
I'm also intrigued by the labels that can be printed on a laser or
ink-jet printer. So, one last time... suggestions?

Thanks a million for any and all assistance...

OK gang... I need a little assistance!!!


Hello,
I like Bi-Tronix for cable and connectors
They are now BTX.com.
here is a link:
A
HREF="http://www.btx.com/products.asp?Go=Search_Cat&Cat1=Audio+Cable&Cat2=
Snake%2C+Analog&Page=2"BTX, Your Technology Connection/A

Ask them to send you a catalog and price list.

They carry Mogami, Belden, West penn,
Neutrik, Switchcraft, Elco, etc.

Check out Bittree for patchbays.

Neutrik XLRs are CHEAP if you by a lot of them.
(at least they were the last time I got them)

Good luck!

DR

In article writes:

Patchbays - actually, I did find a great patchbay at Audio Accessories,
it uses a Molex connector for each pair of jacks, which make
repair/replacement of cables a snap.

What can you do to make an Ampex MM-1100 more reliable? "Remove all
the Molex connectors" John French once told me. They might be OK for
wiring pinball machines or cars, but you might want to think twice
about putting audio through them. On the other hand, they're probably
OK as long as you mate them once or twice and leave them alone, and
only run line level signals through them.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )

Hi Mike,

Mike Rivers wrote:

What can you do to make an Ampex MM-1100 more reliable? "Remove all
the Molex connectors" John French once told me. They might be OK for
wiring pinball machines or cars, but you might want to think twice
about putting audio through them. On the other hand, they're probably
OK as long as you mate them once or twice and leave them alone, and
only run line level signals through them.

I fat fingered that post... the Audio Accessories Short patchbays use an
EDAC connector which looks an awful lot like the old three pin Molex
connector, except it uses locking blades instead of pin and socket. My
bad!!!

And, for those who are saddled with pin and socket connectors that are
wearing out, the EDAC connector appears to be a drop in replacement. I'm
going to give it a try anyway!

Bill

Woah buddy!

MOLEX in the audio chain ??

NEVER!!! Terrible idea.

Now, when I look it up, it says an EDAC, which is a VERY different beast!

I will still say FAR and away NOT to do connectors for audio, ESPECIALLY in an RF
field!

Best way is the ADC Punchdown, MUCH tighter and RF immune. The EDAC is probably NOT
shielded.

Cable: in an RF field, I prefer GEPCO foil, as each SNALE has an outer shield and
the individual shield.

I can supply that OR the Gotham as well as bays and puncdowns.

We are also Audio Accessories dealers...

Techmeister

aka david Butler

617 969-0585

In article ,
Bill Thompson wrote:

OK gang... I need a little assistance!!!

I've been out of the install business for quite some time, and recently
"volunteered" to rewire my alma-mater's radio studios. It's not a huge
job, but I've discovered that some of my favorite vendors no longer seem
to exist... and, choices I made years ago may no longer be all that
wise, as I am sure the technology continues to race ahead, even for
something as interesting as wiring. Any and all advice on choices for
the following will be greatly appreciated!!!

Patchbays - actually, I did find a great patchbay at Audio Accessories,
it uses a Molex connector for each pair of jacks, which make
repair/replacement of cables a snap. I think I like it even better than
the old multipin connector solution (I KNOW I like it a whole lot better
than terminal strips or punch-down blocks!!). It's cheaper to boot. The
connectors are a new (at least to me) type from EDAC using interlocking
blades instead of those awful, and ubiquitous round pins and sockets. A
"special" crimping tool is required, but that doesn't really bother me
since I think I'll probably take this opportunity to rewire my studio as
well.

If you haven't seen these yet, and you have need for such a beast check
out: www.patchbays.com/shorti_main.htm

Has anyone actually used these? I'd love to hear that they are as cool
as I think they are.

Cable - I used to use Gotham Audio GAC-2/1, it was very easy to work
with, had the dual shield which has worked out better than foil even in
fixed installations for me, and it is reasonanbly priced. Unfortuantely,
the supplier I used to use, DGS Audio, no longer seems to be. Any
suggestions for a similar cable from Gepco, Alpha, Belden, etc? Any
suggestions for good suppliers?

Connectors (XLR and 1/4" TRS) - I'm in the same boat, I used to use the
Deltron connectors, and I used to get them from DGS. The Neutrik
connectors seem to be about as easy to build, but they cost a lot more
than I remember. Suggestions?

Cable Markers - I really like the old slip-on plastic numbers and
letters. I can't even remember where I found them when I found them
years ago (and I do remember labelling being a very time consuming
process with them - but they were indestructable and VERY easy to read).
Searching the web has produced results, the ones that look the most
interesting are the little label printers, but they are expensive, and
I'm wondering if they can make a legible label for really skinny cables.
I'm also intrigued by the labels that can be printed on a laser or
ink-jet printer. So, one last time... suggestions?

Thanks a million for any and all assistance...


--
David 'db' Butler, Consultant
Acoustics by db
"...all the rest are just brokers"
now on the web at http://www.db-engineering.com
Boston, Mass
Phone 617 969-0585 Fax 617 964-1590

news.com

Hi Mike,

Mike Rivers wrote:

What can you do to make an Ampex MM-1100 more reliable? "Remove all
the Molex connectors" John French once told me. They might be OK for
wiring pinball machines or cars, but you might want to think twice
about putting audio through them. On the other hand, they're probably
OK as long as you mate them once or twice and leave them alone, and
only run line level signals through them.

I fat fingered that post... the Audio Accessories Short patchbays use an
EDAC connector which looks an awful lot like the old three pin Molex
connector, except it uses locking blades instead of pin and socket. My
bad!!!

And, for those who are saddled with pin and socket connectors that are
wearing out, the EDAC connector appears to be a drop in replacement. I'm
going to give it a try anyway!

Bill



I bought an EDAC crimper (and removal tool) and built several EDAC connectors
recently.

Once I got the crimper adjusted, and figured out the lengths of the wires
inside the connector, the connections were easy, fast and flawless.

Edac uses the same pins for male and female and the orientation is set by the
block.

Not as heavy duty as the AMP Ram-Latch, but that is overkill for my situation.
Richard H. Kuschel
"I canna change the law of physics."-----Scotty