Mass/EDAC Connectors.

[ellery]

I'm Drawing up some blueprints and i'm trying to make the choice about connectors.

Witch one is a better choice and why. I like The way Mass connectors work. No Male/Female to worry about. So i'm leaning tord the mass connectors. But i wanted to ask the people who have done this before. Any input?

Also Who is a good source on the Mass Connectors?

[Remoteness]

It depends on where you want to use them...

IMO, if you're drawing up some designs for outdoor and snake mults MASS is the only way to go!

We use MASS W4s; EDAC/ELCO 90 pins; DT12 & DSUBs for our multipin connections.

The MASS & DT12 connectors are mostly used on our snake systems and such. We also use MASS W4s along with ELCO 90s on our interface panels inside the expando truck.

We have been using ELCO 90s for all our racks and control cabin panels for two decades with great success. With that said, I would not used them for snakes or outside (or harsh condition) situations. They need tender love and care.

I also have used MASS W4 connectors for two decades and they rawk! We only had a few outer pins bend (and break) in one connector in almost 20 years! If the associate checked for bent pins before they made the connection we would have had no pins lost. You need to be very careful when attaching those MASS connectors. The rubber is softer than it should be... You must check for bent pins (and straighten them) before you insert them into each other. They must be connected straight on to avoid bending the outer pins. I wish the rubber surrounding the pins were a bit stiffer. IMO, that would be a great improvement to the softer material. The harder rubber would help keep the connector straight on when attaching them together.

I know a great source for Mass connectors. PM, email or call me at 718.886.6500 and I will tell you more.

I hope this helped!

[Remoteness]

Here's a picture of one of our MASS / ELCO / XLR panels...

[garysjo]

What about Ramlatch? Anyone using them?

[ClickTrackAudio]

For your main trunk(s), I agree...MASS is the way to go. We make sure that only a few key people make/break the connection to avoid the bent pin issue. Besides that, they are a rock-solid design ('scuse the pun!!!)

[yrplace]

Originally Posted by garysjo

What about Ramlatch? Anyone using them?

We use the old grey ramlatch connectors because our splitter and snake were once part of a Wally Heider remote truck. I paid $300.00 for a 27 chl jensen splitter snake with a seperate breakout box two 150 ft snakes and one 250 footer (never taken that one out of storage) . I bought the system when all the Heider gear was sold off in the early 80's. Wish I had bought the other identical snake they had as well.

I know Remote Recording Services in Pa. uses the same Ramlatch connectors and except for the latches occasionally snapping off they are great. I've used the newer ones on systems with several PA companies in LA and they are even better and virtually unbreakable. I would redo my entire system with the new connectors but for the cost (2k plus) and then I'd be compatible with most everyone in the area, but we'll stick with the old ones for as long as we can.

Mark

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by garysjo

What about Ramlatch? Anyone using them?

I believe Record Plant Remote also uses Ramlatch 27 pair (AMP) connectors. RPR has two 27 channel AMP snakes handling 54 channels via Jensen transformer splitters.

[~ufo~]

How about socapex ?

using that stuff over there ?

I've been looking into what standard to use for my studios and remote rig.

both of studio consoles use 56pin elcos so I'll stick with that for the studio.

but socapex seems to be the standard here for remote work.

looks like those MASS things, only a bit smaller

[Remoteness]

The MASS connectors are much different than the Socaplex connectors. MASS are half socket / half pins. A MASS to MASS snake cable can be run in either direction. It doesn't matter which end is where. Only the interface panel or stage box connections have to be in the right location. Meaning they must be wired as an input at the input (stage or studio) side and wired as an output for the truck or mobile CRM side.

Socapex is part of Amphenol brand name.
I’ve seen the Socapex SL61 connectors used for power distribution interconnects.
I've also seen them used for lighting rigs and speaker interconnections.

I haven't seen them usede for audio in the USA yet but, I bet they also work well for audio connections!

[~ufo~]

yeah the national broadcast organisation over here uses the 37 pin socapex standard.
so most theaters and venues over here have socapex connections in their loading docks.

however, I'll just use the standard that's handiest for me, I can always make a few socapex to edac adapters....

seems a bit silly to start using socapex in the studio when both consoles have 56pin edacs.

[7rojo7]

I've been using CMIL connectors they come in 13, 25, 50, 85, 150 and 200 pin configurations and they're very solid. I use all female connectors (with hats) on my cables and all male connectors on my panels.
I am currently designing 2 seperate systems one with 28 channels and one with 48 channels. I will have 6 8 channel stage boxes on 25 pin connectors (that are currently in the studio and go out with me now) connect to the splitter, which will have the possibility with different breakouts or fan outs to give feeds for a variety of connectors (CMIL, XLR breakout, XLR fanout, CMIL>another big connector used by a sound service that I work with often), back at the CR I need a break out to 8 25 pin connectors for 48 channels plus 16 for foldback or whatever (if needed) plus whatever needs to go for comm..
My main splitter cases will have only the CMIL connectors on panels, a small power distribution and rack light system and the transformers on PC boards inside, I'm also thinking of building some passive DIs into 12 of the channels (although they'd probably be better closer to the source, any ideas) there will also be a switch matrix to control the polarity, a pad, a ground lift and the DI function (if I decide to do it) for each input.
I'm doing 2 different sized systems bacause if I need to do a small gig I don't need to bring out a 72 channel splitter with all the breakouts. I can bring 28 and a fanout and be
Now I get splits from the service, which is convenient, but there's almost always some kind of problem. Or I have to rent one which is inconvenient.

[Matt Syson]

Joining this discussion a bit late I know but I would like to point out that EDACs are intended as an installation connector and are rated for something like 50 insertitions. They are used by console manufacturers as an economic but 'good for this application' connector. DL connectors used on SSL among others are zero insertion force type connectors but are stupidly expensive in comparison to EDAC where the zero force aspect is largely irrelevent (for a big desk installation).
The BBC used to use Hypertac connectors (Smiths?) for 'portable!!!' tape and grams machined as they has fancy gold multicontact pins where they would be unplugged 'frequently'. Socapex and other 'military' style connectors are the way to go for rugged use, leave the EDACs for a cosy studio!
Matt S

[ddageek]

Mass is a great , but not cheap edac, elco cheap and easy to replace in a pinch, most electronic supply shops have pins and bodies!

[Remoteness]

Matt,

ELCO / EDAC connectors are rated at 15,000 insertitions. That means you can intert them about three times a day for 15 years...

I've been using ELCO and EDAC connectors longer than that and they are still ticking.

[Matt Syson]

Hi Steve
It is possible that I have got confused with another connector for a 50 insertion rating. I have certainly used them on test leads for console test purposes where they are repeatedly made / unmade and rarely had a problem except with bent pins. I wouldn't want to kick them about outside but I rate them highly and use them myself.
The pins on the male halves are a bit exposed for use on flying leads, especially on 90 and 120 shells.
Sorry about the misinformation I must look up the details properly sometime.
Matt

[Remoteness]

No worries.

You made a good point about the male 90 and 120 pin connectors. We have used pinless female ELCOs blocks as protectors to the male connector pins.

When extra female blocks are not available we always wrap gaffer or artist tape across the exposed pin side of the connector as a way to protect them.

Funny thing though... one of our rental clients didn't see the artist tape covering the pins and inserted the two connectors. The artist tape made it through all the pins but, it still worked okay. That was really something else... I guess they didn't pay attention to the pin covering. I'm sure there would have been some damage if we used gaffer tape that day -- Ouch!