The most common multi-pin audio connector is the XLR, which typically has three pins, although some have four or more pins. There are several multi-pin audio cables you will deal with that are not as common as the XLR. Many microphones have special multi-pin connectors that transfer information from the mic’s power supply to the microphone. Before you attempt to make your own multi-pin cable, be sure you know what type of connector you are working with.
It may seem obvious, but if you are making cables completely from scratch, be sure to color-code the wires in a way that will make sense to you before you apply shielding and insulation. Having color-coded wires allows you to easily identify each wire at a glance at both ends. If you do not color-code the wires, you will have to constantly test the wires to see which is which. You are also much more likely to incorrectly wire your connectors without color-coding.
There are three basic types of audio cable shielding: braided, foil and spiral. Braided shielding offers the best balance between flexibility, durability and shielding. Braided shielding is the best option for cables that will be used a lot. Foil shielding offers the best shielding from interference, but the shielding breaks down easily if the cable is flexed often. Foil shielding is best for cables that will be in a fixed installation. Spiral shielding offers good flexibility, but the shielding itself breaks down quicker than braided shielding.
On most multi-pin audio cables, one wire will terminate to the same pin on both end connectors. For example, the first pin on an XLR connector connects to the shielding on both ends for a ground, while one of the wires will connect to the second pin on both ends and the other wire will connect to the third pin. Be aware that not all connectors require symmetric pin configurations. Be sure you know what the pin configuration for your specific cable should be before you start soldering.
Before you assemble the cable, it is a good idea to check all of your pins to ensure that your wires are terminated properly. You can test the cable with a multimeter. Set the multimeter to check resistance and touch the probes together to ensure that they read zero. Adjust the setting to zero if the reading is anything other than that. Touch the probes to the same pin on each end of the cable. A proper connection should read zero ohms.