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XLR Connector Gender

I’m designing my first piece of home brew audio equipment that uses balanced (XLR) input and output connectors. Is there a standard for gender selection for the input and output chassis connectors? I’ve seen equipment that uses male for both inputs and outputs. I’ve also seen equipment thatuses male for outputs and female for inputs. Is there a preferred gender assignment?
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
I’m designing my first piece of home brew audio equipment that uses balanced
(XLR) input and output connectors. Is there a standard for gender selection
for the input and output chassis connectors? I’ve seen equipment that uses
male for both inputs and outputs. I’ve also seen equipment that uses male
for outputs and female for inputs. Is there a preferred gender assignment?

** The standard goes like this:

Microphones have 3 pin male XLRs on the bottom.

Mic and equipment signal leads have one male and one female - so you can
chain them.

Mixers and the like have female inputs and male outputs.

Speaker boxes use males only.

Speaker leads use females only.

BTW:

Pin 1 on an XLR mates first when you plug in - so it gets used for ground.


..... Phil
 
I’m designing my first piece of home brew audio equipment that uses balanced (XLR) input and output connectors. Is there a standard for gender selection for the input and output chassis connectors? I’ve seen equipment that uses male for both inputs and outputs. I’ve also seen equipment that uses male for outputs and female for inputs. Is there a preferred gender assignment?

The nice thing about standards is that there are *so* many to choose
from.

When I was working with those things daily I had a potfull of male and
female connectors soldered back-to-back because there was no standard.
Our equipment had both sexes on the back so they could loop through
and the connector sex didn't matter.

Now, figure out which pins are which. We supported three standards,
there, with a potfull of relays. It's a mess.
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
When I was working with those things daily

** Many decades ago - right ?

I had a potfull of male and
female connectors soldered back-to-back because there was no standard.


** The rules I posted are followed by all professional audio gear that one
is likely to find still in use.

Pin 1 is always ground too.


..... Phil
 
I’m designing my first piece of home brew audio equipment that uses balanced (XLR) input and output connectors. Is there a standard for gender selection for the input and output chassis connectors? I’ve seen equipmentthat uses male for both inputs and outputs. I’ve also seen equipment that uses male for outputs and female for inputs. Is there a preferred gender assignment?

Thanks for the information (and sad stories). I guess I'll stick with maleoutput, female input, since the device is all electronic.

Jon
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"dave the TROLL "
Phil said:
** Many decades ago - right ?




** The rules I posted are followed by all professional audio gear that
one
is likely to find still in use.

Pin 1 is always ground too.


The big question is Pin 2. Is it [+] or is it [-]?


** Meaningless - like all your fuckwit posts.

FOAD idiot.


.... Phil
 
J

Jamie

Jan 1, 1970
0
dave said:
** Many decades ago - right ?





** The rules I posted are followed by all professional audio gear that
one
is likely to find still in use.

Pin 1 is always ground too.


.... Phil

The big question is Pin 2. Is it [+] or is it [-]?

Ma Bell says it's minus or Tip, most (but not all) others say Pin 2 is
plus [+]

If that was me making the rule on that I would follow the standards...
+/- etc... Meaning the positive number is first and then the negative..

Also, you'll find that in terminal lay outs, well most of what I've
seen and implemented, the + terminal is first, (-) second and if there
is a ground? That comes after the (-) terminal..

But that is me and me is me, and there is no other "me" on this
planet. :)

Jamie
 
** Many decades ago - right ?

Wrong. Modern stuff, still being manufactured.
** The rules I posted are followed by all professional audio gear that one
is likely to find still in use.

Pin 1 is always ground too.

Yes, I haven't seen a counterexample but there are three more pins
that can be anything.
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
<[email protected]
"Phil Allison"
Wrong. Modern stuff, still being manufactured.


** Not pro audio gear, for sure.

Post proof if you still disagree.

Yes, I haven't seen a counterexample but there are three more pins
that can be anything.


** LOL - math is not you strong suit.

There are **2 more pins ** that can be a few things, in pro audio.



.... Phil
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Michael A. Terrell"
They are available with more than three pins.


** So fucking what?

The context here is 3 pin XLRs, the standard for pro audio.

As usual, you judge everything by what little you know. I know of
some radio & TV stations that use 4 pin on everything,

** So do I (eg ABC in Australia) and all that gear is specially made.

So totally irrelevant.

**** off - psycho **** head.



.... Phil
 
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MrTallyman

Jan 1, 1970
0
Where did anyone other than you claim they were three pin, Phylis?
'Pro Audio' is a broad field, not just the cheapo crap you tinker with.
Not that you will ever admit what a fool you really are.




You are irrelevant.


Unbelievable.

If it has more than three pins, you cannot call it "XLR".

It isn't about "Pro Audio", "pro audio" OR "some radio and TV
stations". XLR is a SPECIFICATION, so if you want to call it that, it
WILL be THREE pins for balanced audio feeds

Sorry, Terrell, old boy, but Phil is correct 100%

Sure, there are other beasts which utilized the same shells, but they
are also referred to differently, especially by those familiar with the
real one. Such a person would say "A 4 pin XLR" or "An XLR4" or such,
all they way up to 7 pins. No need to ever have said "XLR3". It was
never a designation. It was the original design. All of the others are
mere interlopers inside the same outer shell. How convenient things were
in the non-mil industries back then.

Cannon didn't care. Sales are sales.

But you keep that filter turned on, child.
 
B

Bob Quintal

Jan 1, 1970
0
Unbelievable.

If it has more than three pins, you cannot call it "XLR".


I can too. James H. Cannon designed several series of connectors,
including the XL and, later, the XLR.
It isn't about "Pro Audio", "pro audio" OR "some radio and TV
stations". XLR is a SPECIFICATION, so if you want to call it
that, it WILL be THREE pins for balanced audio feeds

The IEC spec you refer to was created many years after the XLR-3 had
become the de facto standard in pro audio.

Go tally me bananas.
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Michael A. Terrell = PSYCHO SCUM "
Where did anyone other than you claim they were three pin,


** The OP is obviously using 3 pins types and my reply to him is
specifically about them.

Now go **** a dead donkey - you PSYCHO




..... Phil
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Mr Wallyman"
If it has more than three pins, you cannot call it "XLR".

** Nonsense.
It isn't about "Pro Audio", "pro audio" OR "some radio and TV
stations". XLR is a SPECIFICATION, so if you want to call it that, it
WILL be THREE pins for balanced audio feeds


** This Wiki has it pretty much spot on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector

" The XLR connector is a style of electrical connector, primarily found on
professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are
circular in design and have between 3 and 7 pins. They are most commonly
associated with balanced audio interconnection, including AES3 digital
audio, but are also used for lighting control, low-voltage power supplies,
and other applications. "


Wallyman is an utter IDIOT !!



..... Phil
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Bob Quintal"
" Wallyman"

I can too. James H. Cannon designed several series of connectors,
including the XL and, later, the XLR.


The IEC spec you refer to was created many years after the XLR-3 had
become the de facto standard in pro audio.


** Hello Bob, have not heard from you in a while.

Despite what the mind readers here may say, I am very familiar will the XLR
and XLP series of connectors. Since the 1960s, there was a plant making them
in Australia and there is still one making them under the Alcatel name.

XLPs came first and were used for many jobs, including microphones. I think
Shure were the first to put a 3 pin XLP style male socket on the bottom of a
mic. Then everyone followed.

The XLR series has some soft material surrounding females pins - mainly so
that when mated with a male version, there is no looseness or movement.
Important with hand held mics to prevent unwanted noises.

Switchcraft had the same idea for microphones, they but used sprung steel
balls instead to eliminate movement plus a very smooth external contour for
user comfort. Overkill really.

The only places I see 4 pin XLRs or XLPs being used is on headsets for
talkback stations and a few PSUs for mixing desks - the later sometimes
having 5 pins versions. So I keep a few of each on hand.

BTW: I think the Neutrik versions are mostly flimsy and horrible.


..... Phil
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Phil Allison"
"Bob Quintal"
** Hello Bob, have not heard from you in a while.

Despite what the mind readers here may say, I am very familiar will the
XLR and XLP series of connectors. Since the 1960s, there was a plant
making them in Australia and there is still one making them under the
Alcatel name.


** Seems the XLR series dates from 1955 or so:

http://www.coutant.org/xlrhist/history.pdf



.... Phil
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Phil Allison"
Switchcraft had the same idea for microphones, they but used sprung steel
balls instead to eliminate movement plus a very smooth external contour
for user comfort. Overkill really.

See pic:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Switchcraft-A3F-Female-XLR-Plug-101185312-i1128971.gc

The outer shell and body are made of stainless steel (ie non magnetic) and
only the actuator is die cast.

You can just see one of the two spring-loaded steel balls that stabilise the
plug in the socket.

AFAIK, the exact same connector has been on sale for over 40 years.

The above retailer is asking $3.99 each.

Not too shabby.


..... Phil
 
M

MrTallyman

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Phil Allison"


See pic:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Switchcraft-A3F-Female-XLR-Plug-101185312-i1128971.gc

The outer shell and body are made of stainless steel (ie non magnetic) and
only the actuator is die cast.

You can just see one of the two spring-loaded steel balls that stabilise the
plug in the socket.

AFAIK, the exact same connector has been on sale for over 40 years.

The above retailer is asking $3.99 each.

Not too shabby.


.... Phil


Then, it is NOT "stainless", idiot. Not at that price.
Much more likely to be MAG. which is injection molded magnesium.

Plated, cast zinc was the old way. The mag needs no plating, but often
also gets it.
 
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Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Mr Wallyman" :
Then, it is NOT "stainless", idiot.


** I have one in my workshop, exactly like in the pic.

It is rather heavy, made of quite hard steel and magnets have no effect.

Do you not get what FOAD means ?

I sincerely hope your is a long and very painful death.




.... Phil
 
M

MrTallyman

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Mr Wallyman" :


** I have one in my workshop, exactly like in the pic.

It is rather heavy, made of quite hard steel and magnets have no effect.

Do you not get what FOAD means ?

I sincerely hope your is a long and very painful death.

It isn't "stainless steel", idiot.

the fact that you are oblivious to that 'tid-bit' is no fucking
surprise. And of course, quite a tell about you as well.

Yeah, dumbfuck, I DO know what FOAD means. You should go do so.
 
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