multi pin connectors

N

Nick Stone

Freshman
Jan 19, 2011
15
0
0
NW Indiana
I have a 32 ch system and have been entertaining the idea of using multi pin connectors to speed up set-up time. My system is used with my same band 1-3 times a week and im doing the set up 99% of the time.

Whirlwind Mass or the Ramtech connector seem to be the most robust while EDAC connectors seem to be a lil easier to work on and are most definitely cheaper.

Seems as if a lot of people get a lot of millage out of the edac connectors when properly cared for (empty pin blocks to prevent bent pins) etc.

Crimp tool- ive seen these from 100.00 to 670.00 what should i be looking for here.

Id be interested in hearing any stories , articles or advice that anyone has on this matter.

Thanks.
 
Re: multi pin connectors

If you use Ramtec, Edac,Elco, Cannon you most likely will be able to find another product that will mate to those connectors.

My personal favorites are these.

http://www.harting-usa.com/imperia/...en/chapter06_industrial_connectorshan025_.pdf

Since it's a multi connector it will allow you to create some pretty elaborate cables especially if you are doing some digital stuff or need Ethernet connections etc.They are pricey but they are also tough as hell.

I dont like putting Elcos to together at all and anything solder type is very time consuming.These are far easier.

Han/Harting Connectors can be had at various industrial supply places.It's not the norm by any stretch but a very good connector.

Here for the tooling.I use the Buchanan type (my needs vary a bit) but the Harting ones are cheaper I believe.

www.harting-usa.com/imperia/md/content/lg/hartingconnectivitynetworks/service/downloads/catalogueindustrialconnectorshanenglish/chapter99_industrial_connectorshan025.pdf
 
Re: multi pin connectors

So if I have a 32x8 snake and want to convert it to Multi Pin connects, I need to look for a mass connector that has at least 120 pins.

My math:
32+8=40(ch) x3 (pin pr ch) = 120 total pin

I'm thinking about adding a Mass connect to my EWI snake; on the Mixer end and then maybe the stage box.
 
Re: multi pin connectors

Matt Vivlamore wrote on Mon said:
So if I have a 32x8 snake and want to convert it to Multi Pin connects, I need to look for a mass connector that has at least 120 pins.

My math:
32+8=40(ch) x3 (pin pr ch) = 120 total pin

I'm thinking about adding a Mass connect to my EWI snake; on the Mixer end and then maybe the stage box.
Click to expand...

Honestly, it would probably be easier just to have a cable company do it, even if you send your snake to them to retrofit.

Unless of course, you have hours and hours to spare. I think most of us don't have enough time in the day to commit to such a project.
 
Re: multi pin connectors

Hi Matt-

Have you built mults before? There is both art and science to it and it requires fastidious attention to detail. Once you've built a few it's not too bad, but getting to that level is a test of patience and materials.

Being good a building mults is not a skill I need to possess, I only need to know how to fix them. Only you can decide if getting good at this is worth the time and money.

I'm partial to RAM Latch. The extra working room and layout makes it easy to wire and field service.

Have fun, good luck.

Tim Mc
 
Re: multi pin connectors

It definitely would be a huge task. 120pins per connector. So for what your talking you would have to strip,crimp,heat shrink and insert a pin 480 times. I admit i cringe at cutting my snake but ive timed myself over and over and it would save time setting up.


Theres a few you tube vids and Ive read what i could find and it isn't rocket science but for someone that isn't detail oriented messing up a pin layout looks like it could make you want to hang yourself with the snake. Not to mention the downtime. Ive been watching Mass connectors on ebay as well as bulk snake etc. I may build a multipin snake rather then modify my current snake. That way I wouldn't be under the time crunch in doing it between shows.
 
Re: multi pin connectors

Tim Padrick wrote on Sun said:
IIRC, the last time I got snake quotes, it was $1000 extra for a W4 disconnect. I can plug and unplug a lot of XLRs for $1000.
Click to expand...

I've thought about this myself. We've been on a bit of a crusade to simplify the setup and teardown required for typical events and I've probably spent a fair bit of money on saving time and effort.

$1000 extra for the disconnect. How long would you expect the multicore to last? Maybe ten years of moderate use?

So that equates to $100 per year. If you have the multi out once a week, that equates to $2 per gig. How long does it take to plug up 32 XLRs? How much are you paying for labour, or what value do you put on your own time?

We've gone down a different route, using Roland consoles with a digital snake solution. This cost at least the same amount of money to implement. It saves us a lot of time, but what I find makes the difference is that saving time on those aspects of the set up mean that we have time to deal with other things that come up - whether that's a little more time spent on soundcheck, or solving some other aspect of the customer's requirements. That's where it really begins paying for itself.
 
Re: multi pin connectors

But then you get lay down all those big bumblebee cable protectors on top of a Cat5? That just looks silly....
icon_lol.gif
 
Re: multi pin connectors

Stuart Pendleton wrote on Tue said:
But then you get lay down all those big bumblebee cable protectors on top of a Cat5? That just looks silly.... :lol:
Click to expand...

By the time you add power, comms, DMX for the lighting guys etc. there is still a sizeable snake, enough to justify protectors.

A friend of mine direct buried some CAT 5 lines in a field, and just left them there at the end of the festival. In theory they're there if he is ever back again, but the CAT 5 was cheap enough that it wasn't worth the labour to dig it back out again. He ran DMX down CAT 5 as well as two lines for the multi, and had local power available.
 
Re: multi pin connectors

Stuart Pendleton wrote on Tue said:
But then you get lay down all those big bumblebee cable protectors on top of a Cat5? That just looks silly.... :lol:
Click to expand...

Not quite as silly looking as holding up the two severed ends of the foh link.
Trust me...dock plates cut through fibre just like butter.

Seriously...there is usually a good chunk of cable by the time you add in the foh needs of other depts.

Happy motoring

John
 
Re: multi pin connectors

I should have added the smiley face. I have no doubt the protection is still required. Cheap insurance.....

I have considered the digital route and the visual of my couple of little feeds under the bumblebees just stuck with me, but I know you still need it.
 
Re: multi pin connectors

What keeps leading me towards some kinda of mass connector is that the sooner I get the system up and running and handed off to our sound guy the more time I have to get my on stage rig set up, relax and collect myself as a musician before hitting the stage. That impacts both the product and bottom line for me.
 
Re: multi pin connectors

Correct? I suppose that depends on other criteria, but in general the video shows proper technique for this kind of connector. The straight-through and roomy nature of this connector's back shell makes assembly easier than with connectors that have shorter back shells or that have angled cable exits (like ELCO-EDAC).

The key to any cable assembly is proper wire preparation and fastidious attention to detail (like insulating the shield/drain/earth wires, the shrink collar where the individual pair jacket is removed and in the pin insertion process). I like to have someone else in the shop "audit" each row of pins before the next row is inserted.

I've seen Hellerman sleeves used in place of small lengths of heat shrink, too.

Geri O'neil builds most of the mults for his shop. Hopefully he'll see this thread and contribute regarding other connector types he's worked with.

Have fun, good luck.

Tim Mc
 
Re: multi pin connectors

Nick Stone said:
What keeps leading me towards some kinda of mass connector is that the sooner I get the system up and running and handed off to our sound guy the more time I have to get my on stage rig set up, relax and collect myself as a musician before hitting the stage. That impacts both the product and bottom line for me.
Click to expand...

Why are you setting the system up and not the sound guy? Isn't that what he is paid for?
 
Re: multi pin connectors

Dave Barto said:
Why are you setting the system up and not the sound guy? Isn't that what he is paid for?
Click to expand...

The system is band owned, If we paid our sound guy to set it up that would cost alot more. I mix the openers and handle sound check. One way we found to keep overhead low or in our case pass the saving onto hiring out all the lighting.
 
Re: multi pin connectors

Nick Stone said:
What keeps leading me towards some kinda of mass connector is that the sooner I get the system up and running and handed off to our sound guy the more time I have to get my on stage rig set up, relax and collect myself as a musician before hitting the stage. That impacts both the product and bottom line for me.
Click to expand...
Another positive side effect to mults is reducing the error rate too. I had them (Elcos) for my outboard on my analog rig and it saved me hours of troubleshooting. I always seemed to plug the end of one of the inserts or something into the wrong 1/4" in the back of the rack and then would be frantic as to why something simple didn't work :)
 
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