ELCO pin-out

t_chance · 21st August 2006

I would like to streamline my setup time and it seems like elco connectors are an answer. Is there a standard pinup for example, from a 24 channel split instead of using TRS or XLR's to my rack? How do you folks do it?

nathanvacha · 22nd August 2006

sorry, never messed with them myself. contact steve (steve's studio build thread) or just look at the thread... or someone else may chime in.

Indrestudios · 23rd August 2006

Elcos have their ups and downs...I too thought they would be the bomb for simple i/o into our racks & splitters. Our splitter box still has them in service, but everything else has been upgraded to something else. Once you make a few, you may change your mind.

The pins bend & slip usually at the most inconvient times and the design of the hoods really doesn't offer much in the way of strain relief for your snake cable. When paired with really good, thin flexible cable (Mogami)- they worked pretty well, but larger diameter cable (Gepco - Horizon) was really a pain.

That said, I used a standard ADAT pinout scheme with 8 ins & 8 outs on each 56pin elco. Some tips: buy a nice crimper ($100), never skimp on shrinking each drain wire, and carry all of your elco tools to each gig

-Michael

PhilE · 23rd August 2006

I use EDAC (ELCO) conetors in my rooms- love em- make my life a lot easier (although I didn't really have a choice as the desk is customer conect with EDAC!)

Anyway- my advice is to use the solder pins NOT the crimps, don't cram too much into a plug (16 is enough!)

t_chance · 24th August 2006

Thanks guys, I'm going to think on this one a bit more.

**Remoteness** · 24th August 2006

We’ve been using ELCO/EDAC 90 pin connectors for decades. Like Michael stated, they do have their ups and downs especially if you don’t take care when you’re connecting them to a panel or inline connector.

We use them in our racks and in our CRM panels and bays. We never use them on stage or out in any exterior application. They are not “road” worthy enough for us.

If you treat them right and they’ll last a life time. Abuse them even just a bit and you will loose the battle every time. I would never use them in a stage (exterior) splitter box because of this circumstance.

Out on stage and in all outside situations we use MASS W4s and DT12s for our multi-pin connectors. They can take the abuse well.

ELCOs/EDACs are relatively inexpensive. Building and wiring them is a breeze. That’s why I like them for all our interior multi-pin connectors. We only use the crimp style. I don't like the solder type very much.

Yes, the pins do bend and can slip but, IMO if you properly crimp them and check the connectors before your mate them they can provide a long lasting cost effective solution for your interior multi-pin interconnections.

I came up with my own ELCO pin out scheme. I came up with a fool proof design that will not bag us on location. I wanted the ability to pin (or re-pin) these puppies in the dark if necessary. I came up with this layout…

The rows are layed out horizontally -- Six rows (with two circuits per each row) above and below the center screw. Twelve rows total. That’s 24 balance circuits on an ELCO90. If you need additional circuits on a ELCO90 the channels 25 through 28 surround the center screw vertically and channels 29 & 30 are located to the far right of the connection (also) vertically. I will look for one of our pinout sheets and I’ll post it for your review.

t_chance · 25th August 2006

Thanks for looking that up Steve. I may have a steady "remote" gig and may want to leave a split there along with a HD24. Then I could set up my racks at home and leave the FOH console alone. That would reduce 24X4 the xlr's to replug, and probably reduce some anxieties with the FOH mixers. I'm secure with my own plugging, but others??? The more durable connectors may be a good idea too. We have some heavy duty ones at work, I have to see what they are. Those trucks are sure looking nice. I want one. thumbsup
I better start buying lotto tickets.

I have to work on one of those "pinups"

21st August 2006	#1
t_chance Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2005 Location: St Paul MN Posts: 162 Thread Starter	ELCO pin-out I would like to streamline my setup time and it seems like elco connectors are an answer. Is there a standard pinup for example, from a 24 channel split instead of using TRS or XLR's to my rack? How do you folks do it?

24th August 2006	#6
Remoteness Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 7,405	We’ve been using ELCO/EDAC 90 pin connectors for decades. Like Michael stated, they do have their ups and downs especially if you don’t take care when you’re connecting them to a panel or inline connector. We use them in our racks and in our CRM panels and bays. We never use them on stage or out in any exterior application. They are not “road” worthy enough for us. If you treat them right and they’ll last a life time. Abuse them even just a bit and you will loose the battle every time. I would never use them in a stage (exterior) splitter box because of this circumstance. Out on stage and in all outside situations we use MASS W4s and DT12s for our multi-pin connectors. They can take the abuse well. ELCOs/EDACs are relatively inexpensive. Building and wiring them is a breeze. That’s why I like them for all our interior multi-pin connectors. We only use the crimp style. I don't like the solder type very much. Yes, the pins do bend and can slip but, IMO if you properly crimp them and check the connectors before your mate them they can provide a long lasting cost effective solution for your interior multi-pin interconnections. I came up with my own ELCO pin out scheme. I came up with a fool proof design that will not bag us on location. I wanted the ability to pin (or re-pin) these puppies in the dark if necessary. I came up with this layout… The rows are layed out horizontally -- Six rows (with two circuits per each row) above and below the center screw. Twelve rows total. That’s 24 balance circuits on an ELCO90. If you need additional circuits on a ELCO90 the channels 25 through 28 surround the center screw vertically and channels 29 & 30 are located to the far right of the connection (also) vertically. I will look for one of our pinout sheets and I’ll post it for your review. __________________ Steve Remote AuraSonicLtd.com the home of ASL Mobile & Location Production Remoteness on the Linkedin Network What about my Facebook Profile? Remoteness on Myspace

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22nd August 2006	#2
nathanvacha Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,231	sorry, never messed with them myself. contact steve (steve's studio build thread) or just look at the thread... or someone else may chime in.

23rd August 2006	#3
Indrestudios Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 252	Elcos have their ups and downs...I too thought they would be the bomb for simple i/o into our racks & splitters. Our splitter box still has them in service, but everything else has been upgraded to something else. Once you make a few, you may change your mind. The pins bend & slip usually at the most inconvient times and the design of the hoods really doesn't offer much in the way of strain relief for your snake cable. When paired with really good, thin flexible cable (Mogami)- they worked pretty well, but larger diameter cable (Gepco - Horizon) was really a pain. That said, I used a standard ADAT pinout scheme with 8 ins & 8 outs on each 56pin elco. Some tips: buy a nice crimper ($100), never skimp on shrinking each drain wire, and carry all of your elco tools to each gig -Michael

23rd August 2006	#4
PhilE Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,260	I use EDAC (ELCO) conetors in my rooms- love em- make my life a lot easier (although I didn't really have a choice as the desk is customer conect with EDAC!) Anyway- my advice is to use the solder pins NOT the crimps, don't cram too much into a plug (16 is enough!)

25th August 2006	#7
t_chance Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2005 Location: St Paul MN Posts: 162 Thread Starter	Thanks for looking that up Steve. I may have a steady "remote" gig and may want to leave a split there along with a HD24. Then I could set up my racks at home and leave the FOH console alone. That would reduce 24X4 the xlr's to replug, and probably reduce some anxieties with the FOH mixers. I'm secure with my own plugging, but others??? The more durable connectors may be a good idea too. We have some heavy duty ones at work, I have to see what they are. Those trucks are sure looking nice. I want one. thumbsup I better start buying lotto tickets. I have to work on one of those "pinups"