[Harp-L] Re: Three questions

["Ben J. Nathanson" <bjnath@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Trip Henderson asks:
>  Does anyone know of an xlr to xlr cable
>  that has a volume control in line?

This was the subject of a thread that will (soon) be in the Harp-L archives,
which I reproduce here:

-----------------------------

Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2002 02:10:50 +1200
From: "G." <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: XLR Volume control adapter.

Has anyone seen an adapter for XLR vocal mics?
metal cigar shape, volume knob on top.   I believe its XLR to XLR that can
plug into the back of the mic.  I saw Brendan using one on his vocal mic...
or at least thats what I believe it was

I'm about to get a SM57 and would like some form of control onstage with it,
and this seemed to be the ticket.

Anyone know where I can get one?

Failing that, is there a simple XLR to XLR adapter with an on/off switch for
mics?
I believe there is an XLR cable with a built in switch, but its ridiculously
expensive for what it is.

Cheers
G.

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Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2002 14:23:10 EDT
From: Spschndr@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: XLR Volume control adapter & on/off switch

G,
    One readily available solution to this situation I've seen is Neutrik's
female (mic end) XLR connector with on/off switch.  I'm not sure what the
Neutrik part # is, but it's 568-NC3FX-S in the Mouser Electronics catalog
(www.mouser.com, no commercial affiliation on my part) and it's about $10
there.  Not so expensive if you've already got an XLR cable that you're
willing to put the connector on, and it puts the switch reasonably within
reach, right at the end of the mic.  The external portion of the switch is a
plastic ring that initially disappointed me by looking flimsy, but that
cord's been used onstage at least four dozen times and come along to the gig
many more  times over the past five years, and it hasn't broken in use or in
transit.  I like the ring because it's easy to find without looking and it
switches by rotating, so you don't have to worry about keeping the mic
oriented to where you can reach it, like you have to do with a slide switch.

Switchcraft apparently makes or made an on/off female XLR connector that
looks sturdier, having a small conventional slide switch set into the metal
body of the connector, but I don't know the part # for it or how readily
available to the public it is.  I've got this odd cable that Astatic used to
sell, apparently for the non-VC yet XLR version of the JT-30VC (there was
indeed such a mic, look at an old Kevins catalog), so that you could have an
on-off switch for that mic; the Switchcraft connector on this cord is wired
3
pin hot and the other end is a 1/4" plug.   The feel and location of the
Neutrik switch is better for me, but the Switchcraft would give you fewer
reliability worries, if it's still available.  Either way, a kill switch to
use with any XLR mic is really useful, opens up the mic options
significantly.

Stephen Schneider

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Date: Sat, 06 Jul 2002 17:01:05 -0400
From: The Bernadettes <mdestefano@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: XLR Volume control adapter.

I have just recently designed and built a very cool prototype of an XLR
volume
control.  It is built into a Switchcraft XLR adapter barrel with the help of
a
machinist friend.  It's definitely tricky to find the right pot, of the
right
size, of the right taper, and good working impedance plus the fact that
balanced
lo-Z signals work slightly differently.  It took quite a bit of tweaking and
experimenting but I finally did it.  It works great, plugs in the end of
your
mic and the cord plugs into this adapter.  It's relatively small and the
same
diameter of an XLR plug.  I'm currently using it with my EV RE10 and it's
the
bomb.  Craig Struble of Fivewise checked it out at gig last week and seemed
quite impressed and remarked that I could probably sell a quite a few of
them
here on Harp-L.  Unfortunately I've hit a snag with getting the machining
work
done.  I'm looking for a local machine shop that can do the maching work for
me
for a reasonable price.  This is cool little gizmo but it's a bit labor
intensive to make. I'm hoping I can keep the price down to less than $50 a
pop.
And at that price I certainly am not making a lot of money on it!  God
willing I
hope to have a batch made by this winter.  I'm just a bit overwhelmed with
band
gigs, amp repairs, hours at the day job and the fact it's summer and I'd
rather
be out fishing or on my bike checking out attractive women in shorts and
halter
tops then hunched over a soldering iron and drill press! ;-)

I'll let ya know when I have a batch made and ready to sell.

Regards,
Don D.