How to Build XLR Cables

XLR cables, also known as balanced cables, are commonly used in professional audio and live sound applications. Because an XLR cable has a ground connector, they can be run for long distances without signal loss. The other advantage to an XLR connector is that it is a locking connection. XLR cables can also carry phantom power to power microphones and direct in boxes.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• XLR connectors, male and female
• 2 conductor audio wire
• Soldering iron and solder
• Line tester

Prepare the Wire

1. Strip off about 1/2 inch of the exterior covering of the wire to expose the two wires and the shield. Strip a small amount of the edges of each wire. Prepare the shield by twisting it together to form its own connector, then put a little bit of tubing or heat shrink over the shield to avoid shorts.

2. Slide some heat shrink tubing over the wire, then slide the connector case over the wire about 6 inches, so the wire you exposed is easy to work with. If you don't have heat shrink tubing, use electrical tape.

3. Solder the wire in place on the pin on the female connector. On the female connector, hole 1 is the ground, hole 2 is the positive connector and hole 3 is the return connector. Solder the shield to pin 1 with a small amount of solder. Solder the light color wire to pin 2 (opposite pin 1), and the dark color wire to pin 3 (the bottom pin).

4. Slide the connector case back over the pins and screw it to the connectors. Slide the heat shrink tubing up so it is at the base of the connector case, and apply heat from a hair dryer to shrink it; if you haven't used heat shrink tubing, use electric tape.

5. Repeat the procedure for the male connector. Note that the pins on the male connector, while numbered, are usually on opposite ends of where they are on the female connector. Again, solder the shield to pin 1, the light cable to pin 2, and the dark cable to pin 3. Reassemble to the connector case on the connector. Finish by testing the cable with the line tester. Apply the contacts to pin 1 on the male side and pin 1 on the female side and make sure it passes signal; again, note that the female side pin 1 is on the opposite side of where it is on the male connector.

Tips & Warnings

• Using higher-quality cable and connectors can give you much better sound. Make sure the cable you use is well shielded.
• Do not use too much solder on the wires when soldering them to the connector pins.

References

• Build an XLR cable