Need to build custom cables/connectors for quick live setup

Bounce · 12th October 2006

Hi, everyone. I'm putting together a new custom electronic drum rig for live performances and need to figure out an easy way to plug in several TRS 1/4 connectors to a drum module quickly. On my last rig (drumkat based), I made 1/4 TS to DB25 snakes. One end was female db25, the other male. I need a similar type snake for the new rig but I need TRS cables on the module end this time so we're talking a lot more pins than a DB25 is gonna hold. I was thinking maybe 1/4 TRS to ELCO but can't find any ELCO to elco couplers anywhere. I need multiple 1/4 TRS to plug into all the different pad/cymbal triggers ending in male ELCO or similar, then multiple 1/4 TRS into the drum trigger module ending in female ELCO or similar. This allows me to leave the pads/module cables plugged in in transit and plug in a single mulitconnect to be up and running on stage.

Anyone got any ideas on a multiconnect for this setup? There are about 12 TRS cables or more that need to be connected.
Any thoughts? I know there are elco to TRS patchbays that can do it but I'd have to sell a kidney for one of those!

tINY · 12th October 2006

The surplus store is your friend.

If you don't have to interface to other systems, any mating pair of large circular mil connectors will do the trick.

How many cables are you connecting? a DB25 will do 8 x 3 connections.

-tINY

Bounce · 12th October 2006

Hey, thanks, Tiny. The surplus store has always been my friend :-) I was hoping to use one connector for all 12 to 14 TRS connectors (36 to 42 connect points). I guess I could split them up into 2 db25's but would love one big connector. Heck it would be great if I could wire midi cables in there as well (2-3 of these at 5 wires each, I guess). Maybe Pacific Radio will have an idea. I'd like to just hire someone else to do the solder work this time! Those db25's took a while last time! So freakin' small.

illiummusic · 12th October 2006

Well if you want to hire someone, Pacific Radio can build your custom cables for the cost of the parts plus $15 an hour, I think, for labor. They have built some for me before and the turn around time is quick, a day or two. They build them at the Burbank store but you can order from the other stores and they'll truck them over when thyt're done.
Love that place!

tINY · 12th October 2006

If you don't wand to build it, just buy some DB25 to XLR/TRS pig tails.

BTW, Midi is only 2 conductors + ground - so you can carry it on a mic lines.

-tINY

Bounce · 13th October 2006

Nice info on the MIDI cables there. I've never hacked into of those (just about every other cable. though!). I guess I was hoping someone would say, "Oh you just need a male and female 1647 andromeda connector usually used for cooking noodles in space and they have 47 pins" or something like that :-) I guess I'll just bother pac rad for the best option. Thanks for the info! Maybe elco to TRS with couplers will do the diddy.

12th October 2006	#1
Bounce Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Location: Caleefornya Posts: 839 Thread Starter	Need to build custom cables/connectors for quick live setup Hi, everyone. I'm putting together a new custom electronic drum rig for live performances and need to figure out an easy way to plug in several TRS 1/4 connectors to a drum module quickly. On my last rig (drumkat based), I made 1/4 TS to DB25 snakes. One end was female db25, the other male. I need a similar type snake for the new rig but I need TRS cables on the module end this time so we're talking a lot more pins than a DB25 is gonna hold. I was thinking maybe 1/4 TRS to ELCO but can't find any ELCO to elco couplers anywhere. I need multiple 1/4 TRS to plug into all the different pad/cymbal triggers ending in male ELCO or similar, then multiple 1/4 TRS into the drum trigger module ending in female ELCO or similar. This allows me to leave the pads/module cables plugged in in transit and plug in a single mulitconnect to be up and running on stage. Anyone got any ideas on a multiconnect for this setup? There are about 12 TRS cables or more that need to be connected. Any thoughts? I know there are elco to TRS patchbays that can do it but I'd have to sell a kidney for one of those! __________________ McKay Garner Production-Mixing-Composition San Francisco-Los Angeles-Anywhere http://www.mckaygarner.com

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12th October 2006	#2
tINY Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 10,234	The surplus store is your friend. If you don't have to interface to other systems, any mating pair of large circular mil connectors will do the trick. How many cables are you connecting? a DB25 will do 8 x 3 connections. -tINY

12th October 2006	#4
illiummusic Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 286	Well if you want to hire someone, Pacific Radio can build your custom cables for the cost of the parts plus $15 an hour, I think, for labor. They have built some for me before and the turn around time is quick, a day or two. They build them at the Burbank store but you can order from the other stores and they'll truck them over when thyt're done. Love that place!

13th October 2006	#6
Bounce Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Location: Caleefornya Posts: 839 Thread Starter	Nice info on the MIDI cables there. I've never hacked into of those (just about every other cable. though!). I guess I was hoping someone would say, "Oh you just need a male and female 1647 andromeda connector usually used for cooking noodles in space and they have 47 pins" or something like that :-) I guess I'll just bother pac rad for the best option. Thanks for the info! Maybe elco to TRS with couplers will do the diddy.