8 XLR breakout box - hows this sound?

pedalboy · 20th May 2004

Hello everyone. I want to make a 1 U rack panel with 8 XLR jacks on it, which bring the XLR jacks on the back of my focusrite octopre to the front of my rack. I plan on buying a blank 1 U rack panel and a few of the Neutric AA series connectors, slice up a mogami cable or two and make a little "breakout box."

My question is, have any of you done this? How do you punch the holes in the rack panels? Is there a simple solution I'm missing? Thanks for helping!

djui5 · 20th May 2004

Hey Chad...I'm replying again....

Chad · 20th May 2004

Well, another very informative post from djui5. Please everyone, trust his vast knowledge and expertise. To actualy answer this question. Greenlea makes punches that will very cleanly and easily punch the hole, however these run around $40 each. Maybe you can find one on ebay cheaper. You can order a pre punched 1u pannel from markertek or most supply houses, for Neutrik D series connectors for around $25. That would be your best bet. They even sell black squares that will cover the unused punches on the pannel. Try fullcompass or markertek for these parts.

djui5, you just post to post, with a rare hint of valuable or even well founded knowledge. Try chiming in when you are realy necessary, and not just for the hell of it.

Faderjockey · 20th May 2004

Buy a panel with the holes for XLR already in them. They are all over the place. Middle Altantic for one. I built one for AES and used a panel like that. THe holes are filled in. You just have to tab out the ones you want to use. That way you don't have a ton of opened spots on the front. Mine has room for 16 XLR. I'm only using a few. I got it from www.performanceaudio.com

Jburn34 · 20th May 2004

Like the others were saying get a 1U rack with prepunched holes. If you end up having extra holes, this guy makes adapter plates for cheap that will fit just about anything. I've ordered a lot from this particular company, and they've hooked me up every time. And his neutrik xlr panel mount connectors have threaded holes so when you screw them in, you don't have to use a nut, just one screw which he supplies. His plates seem to be well priced and very sturdy.

TrikTags Connectors and Plates

For the mogami cable and any other connectors, this places is by far the cheapest I've found, and they also have good customer service.
Redco Audio

Both companies make little label tags that affix to the hole.

Jeremy

Bobalou · 20th May 2004

how would something like this work if one didnt have confidence in his soldering skilz?

http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/PDR-369.html

Faderjockey · 20th May 2004

The less connectors for me the better. I'd solder it's about time you learn if you want to play engineer.

Jburn34 · 20th May 2004

Yeah Hosa's not supposed to be very good.

ebeam · 20th May 2004

Jburn34- The threaded holes on those panels seem like a great idea. I bought the prepunched panels from markertek and had a hell of a time getting a nut that would actually fit with the neutrik connectors. I finally did get some that worked though.

Jburn34 · 20th May 2004

Yeah...

The panel I'm working on right now has a combination of both kinds. It is so much easier with the threaded holes. And I think the price is about the same.

20th May 2004	#1
pedalboy Gear nut Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 78 Thread Starter	8 XLR breakout box - hows this sound? Hello everyone. I want to make a 1 U rack panel with 8 XLR jacks on it, which bring the XLR jacks on the back of my focusrite octopre to the front of my rack. I plan on buying a blank 1 U rack panel and a few of the Neutric AA series connectors, slice up a mogami cable or two and make a little "breakout box." My question is, have any of you done this? How do you punch the holes in the rack panels? Is there a simple solution I'm missing? Thanks for helping! __________________ ----------------------- matthewcgood.com

20th May 2004	#5
Jburn34 Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 164	Like the others were saying get a 1U rack with prepunched holes. If you end up having extra holes, this guy makes adapter plates for cheap that will fit just about anything. I've ordered a lot from this particular company, and they've hooked me up every time. And his neutrik xlr panel mount connectors have threaded holes so when you screw them in, you don't have to use a nut, just one screw which he supplies. His plates seem to be well priced and very sturdy. TrikTags Connectors and Plates For the mogami cable and any other connectors, this places is by far the cheapest I've found, and they also have good customer service. Redco Audio Both companies make little label tags that affix to the hole. Jeremy __________________ Jeremy

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20th May 2004	#2
djui5 Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 6,664	Hey Chad...I'm replying again....

20th May 2004	#3
Chad Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Baltimore Posts: 218	Well, another very informative post from djui5. Please everyone, trust his vast knowledge and expertise. To actualy answer this question. Greenlea makes punches that will very cleanly and easily punch the hole, however these run around $40 each. Maybe you can find one on ebay cheaper. You can order a pre punched 1u pannel from markertek or most supply houses, for Neutrik D series connectors for around $25. That would be your best bet. They even sell black squares that will cover the unused punches on the pannel. Try fullcompass or markertek for these parts. djui5, you just post to post, with a rare hint of valuable or even well founded knowledge. Try chiming in when you are realy necessary, and not just for the hell of it.

20th May 2004	#4
Faderjockey Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Baltimore Posts: 1,970	Buy a panel with the holes for XLR already in them. They are all over the place. Middle Altantic for one. I built one for AES and used a panel like that. THe holes are filled in. You just have to tab out the ones you want to use. That way you don't have a ton of opened spots on the front. Mine has room for 16 XLR. I'm only using a few. I got it from www.performanceaudio.com

20th May 2004	#6
Bobalou Gear addict Joined: May 2003 Location: socal Posts: 338	how would something like this work if one didnt have confidence in his soldering skilz? http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/PDR-369.html

20th May 2004	#9
ebeam Gear Head Joined: Aug 2003 Location: chi town Posts: 56	Jburn34- The threaded holes on those panels seem like a great idea. I bought the prepunched panels from markertek and had a hell of a time getting a nut that would actually fit with the neutrik connectors. I finally did get some that worked though.