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How to Make XLR Leads

XLR cables are used in a variety of audio applications. They usually appear on high-end professional gear such as studio microphones and public address systems. They provide a voltage-balancing system that helps equalize the signal at both ends of the cable, in order to eliminate ground-loop hum and interference. Despite their high-end applications, it is possible to make your own XLR cables with some basic soldering.

Things You'll Need

  • Shielded 2-wire microphone cable
  • Wire cutters/strippers
  • Screwdriver
  • Soldering iron
  • Solder
  • 2 XLR connectors, male or female
  • Electrical tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Strip 3 to 5 centimeters of the outer insulation from the outside of the cable, using the wire strippers. Take care not to cut any of the internal wires. Peel back the outer foil shield from around the two inner wires, and twist it into a third strand. The inner wires will be twisted together; gently pick them apart to separate them.

    • 2

      Remove the screws on the sides of the connector body. This separates it into two halves. Remove the rubber strain reliever and the small plastic cable sleeve. Thread the strain reliever onto the cable, followed by the cable sleeve. Ensure they are facing the right way, so they can be slotted back into the rear of the connector once the terminals have been soldered.

    • 3

      Plug in the soldering iron, and allow it to heat. Take a piece of the solder, and touch it lightly to the hot tip of the iron. Allow 2 to 3 millimeters of solder to melt onto the tip, coating it lightly. Hold the twisted shield to pin one on the connector body, and touch them with the iron, coating them both lightly with the molten solder.

    • 4

      Allow the solder to cool and solidify. Wrap the shield and the pin in electrical tape, ensuring that none of the metal surfaces remain exposed. Solder the two wires to pins two and three respectively, then wrap each of them with electrical tape. Make a note of which color wire was soldered to which pin.

    • 5

      Slide the plastic sleeve and the rubber strain reliever up the cable to the rest of the connector, and replace the screws, securing the whole assembly together.

    • 6

      Repeat the process at the opposite end of the cable, ensuring that the colored wires are connected to the same pins as at the first end.

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