Incompatible XLR connectors?

Conrad Hoffman · 6th November 2011, 01:53 AM

I have some old GR test microphones and related stuff with male XLR connectors. I found some Switchcraft female XLR connectors on a surplus panel and tried to use the two together. It appears the body of the male is too big to fit the female, though the pins and spacing and key are fine. It's not just tight, but about 10-15 thou oversize. I thought all XLR connectors would be compatible. What have I got?

DF96 · 6th November 2011, 02:32 PM

Chinese ones? They don't always bother too much about boring things like dimensional tolerances.

Pano · 6th November 2011, 03:08 PM

I've never seen XLR that don't fit, ever. Do the male connectors have a brand name?

(as long as it's the same number of pins)

pinkmouse · 6th November 2011, 03:24 PM

Ditto here, and I suspect Pano and I have seen an awful lot of XLRs between us.

Who are GR?

indianajo · 6th November 2011, 05:48 PM

You know, GR might be General Radio, that was a long time ago. I suspect the creeping of the standard as the production went overseas and metric. I have repaired equipment that used US developed crydom SS relays. The japanese brand ones look just the same but the mount holes are just a little smaller, so you have to use a 4 mm metric screw into tapped holes, the US #10 machine screw won't fit. Clever Japanese, always looking to boost sales.

Conrad Hoffman · 6th November 2011, 06:28 PM

Indianajo, I think you've got it. GR is of course General Radio, and I'm a rabid collector of the stuff. In fact, if you Google "General Radio Corp." you're apt to get me instead. The male parts are GR, and integral with their mics. The female parts that don't fit are newer Switchcraft. The GR parts are probably from the 1960s or maybe early '70s, and I don't know who made them for GR. I just wasn't aware that the dimensions might creep over time, but that certainly seems like the case.

Thanks!
Conrad

thaumaturge · 8th November 2011, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conrad Hoffman

I have some old GR test microphones and related stuff with male XLR connectors......It's not just tight, but about 10-15 thou oversize. I thought all XLR connectors would be compatible. What have I got?

Ampenol MC3M My old Shure 55's use them.

Micdoctor.com - Micdoctor's Step by step instructions for an old Shure 55 MC3M connector cable

Bout $20 at Allied

6th November 2011, 03:24 PM	#4
pinkmouse diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chatham, England	Ditto here, and I suspect Pano and I have seen an awful lot of XLRs between us. Who are GR? __________________ Al I conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is more than the proper thing to wear, for a while. Charles Fort

6th November 2011, 05:48 PM	#5
indianajo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana USA	You know, GR might be General Radio, that was a long time ago. I suspect the creeping of the standard as the production went overseas and metric. I have repaired equipment that used US developed crydom SS relays. The japanese brand ones look just the same but the mount holes are just a little smaller, so you have to use a 4 mm metric screw into tapped holes, the US #10 machine screw won't fit. Clever Japanese, always looking to boost sales. __________________ Dynakit ST70, ST120, PAS2,Hammond H182(2 ea),H112,A100,10-82TC,Peavey CS800S,SP2-XT's, T-300 HF Projs, Steinway console, Herald RA88a mixer, Wurlitzer 4500

6th November 2011, 06:28 PM	#6
Conrad Hoffman diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canandaigua, NY USA	Indianajo, I think you've got it. GR is of course General Radio, and I'm a rabid collector of the stuff. In fact, if you Google "General Radio Corp." you're apt to get me instead. The male parts are GR, and integral with their mics. The female parts that don't fit are newer Switchcraft. The GR parts are probably from the 1960s or maybe early '70s, and I don't know who made them for GR. I just wasn't aware that the dimensions might creep over time, but that certainly seems like the case. Thanks! Conrad __________________ I used to be an audiophool like you but then I took an arrow to the knee.

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6th November 2011, 01:53 AM	#1
Conrad Hoffman diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canandaigua, NY USA	Incompatible XLR connectors? I have some old GR test microphones and related stuff with male XLR connectors. I found some Switchcraft female XLR connectors on a surplus panel and tried to use the two together. It appears the body of the male is too big to fit the female, though the pins and spacing and key are fine. It's not just tight, but about 10-15 thou oversize. I thought all XLR connectors would be compatible. What have I got? __________________ I used to be an audiophool like you but then I took an arrow to the knee.

6th November 2011, 02:32 PM	#2
DF96 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	Chinese ones? They don't always bother too much about boring things like dimensional tolerances.

6th November 2011, 03:08 PM	#3
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	I've never seen XLR that don't fit, ever. Do the male connectors have a brand name? (as long as it's the same number of pins)

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