Purchasing Sanken COS 11DPTs from pinknoise-systems... connector question...

[Craig McKenna]

Hi All,

I've recently purchased some Sanken COS 11DPTs from CVP.com, but they didn't arrive in the correct colour (not to worry, as they've always been fantastic). When the mics arrived, they arrived with a 3.5mm connector, which would allow them to work with my Sony M10s.

After sending the item back, I've sourced some Sanken COS 11DPTs from PinkNoise-Systems.co.uk - where I received my Sony M10s from - great service.

That said, they state that Sanken do not supply their mics with fitted connectors? Therefore, PinkNoise-Systems have asked if I would like the 3.5mm Sennheiser locking system, or have even stated that I might wish to get a right angled jack?

Is it normal for an electronic company to solder connectors? And if so, which connector would you recommend I purchase for the 11DPTs for use with the Sony M10?

Thank you for the help!

Craig

[Rick Reineke]

On this side of the pond, most location sound shops solder/attach connectors and make custom cables as well.. As for which is 'best' for the M10 is another story. Most lav mics wired for the Sennheiser 100 series body-pack transmitter will work with recorders/cameras with a 3.5mm mic inputs... except only feed the left channel ( which should be no big deal since the mic is mono anyway).. OTOH, on some 3.5mm plugs, the locking ring doesn't retract far enough to allow full insertion into a conventional non-locking jack. The aftermarket locking plugs I've encountered would be OK, but the molded-on Sennheiser plug would not work.

[Craig McKenna]

Originally Posted by Rick Reineke

On this side of the pond, most location sound shops solder/attach connectors and make custom cables as well.. As for which is 'best' for the M10 is another story. Most lav mics wired for the Sennheiser 100 series body-pack transmitter will work with recorders/cameras with a 3.5mm mic inputs... except only feed the left channel ( which should be no big deal since the mic is mono anyway).. OTOH, on some 3.5mm plugs, the locking ring doesn't retract far enough to allow full insertion into a conventional non-locking jack. The aftermarket locking plugs I've encountered would be OK, but the molded-on Sennheiser plug would not work.

Thanks Rick, that fulfils me with confidence as much as their positive reviews. Appreciate the help.

Regardless of the locking mechanism, would you opt for the right angled jack over the standard one?

I've read up about the website and the man recommending the right angled one for longevity has 20 years experience in the sound industry, so I'm thinking the right angled one must be the best?

Thanks for your help!

[Peter Riding]

Pinknoise is a small knowledgeable business with excellent customer service. You can phone them anytime and John will explain to you far more than you'll ever want to know on such technical issues. I've had a specialist wiring job through him and he subcontracted it to Robin Happer up in Davenham Cheshire - driveable from where you are.

The Sennheiser connectors on Sennheiser supplied products are usable but not a tight enough fit to be reliable into a straight 3.5mm female because of the ring. Some people remove the ring. An aftermarket lav I have with a sennheiser type connector does fit OK though.

I had Pinknoise make up three short cables with a Sennheiser female at one end and a regular L-shaped male 3.5mm jack at the other end. This enables me to reliably plug in my actual Sennheiser lavs (with the ring securing connectors) to such devices as H1's and H4n's using these extensions.

L-shaped connectors are desirable in confined spaces such as when putting a recording device in the talents pocket. Regular plugs protrude further when plugging into the side or rear of the device making them awkward. They also reduce tension on the plug making it harder to accidentally disconnect.

Pete

[Rick Reineke]

I used a H2 a few times, and wired a right-angle plug to the input cable which also facilitated gaffer taping the cable/connector to the recorder for reliability and a lower profile.

[Craig McKenna]

Originally Posted by Peter Riding

Pinknoise is a small knowledgeable business with excellent customer service. You can phone them anytime and John will explain to you far more than you'll ever want to know on such technical issues. I've had a specialist wiring job through him and he subcontracted it to Robin Happer up in Davenham Cheshire - driveable from where you are.

The Sennheiser connectors on Sennheiser supplied products are usable but not a tight enough fit to be reliable into a straight 3.5mm female because of the ring. Some people remove the ring. An aftermarket lav I have with a sennheiser type connector does fit OK though.

I had Pinknoise make up three short cables with a Sennheiser female at one end and a regular L-shaped male 3.5mm jack at the other end. This enables me to reliably plug in my actual Sennheiser lavs (with the ring securing connectors) to such devices as H1's and H4n's using these extensions.

L-shaped connectors are desirable in confined spaces such as when putting a recording device in the talents pocket. Regular plugs protrude further when plugging into the side or rear of the device making them awkward. They also reduce tension on the plug making it harder to accidentally disconnect.

Pete

Thanks Pete! I've ordered three from them and they've promised to meet a deadline of next Friday, which is fantastic, as it gives me a few days to practise before the first wedding this summer.

Sounds like the L-shaped connectors are perfect too! Thanks Pete... really appreciate your help! Looking forward to using them.

Originally Posted by Rick Reineke

I used a H2 a few times, and wired a right-angle plug to the input cable which also facilitated gaffer taping the cable/connector to the recorder for reliability and a lower profile.

Thanks Rick, another great tip!

Thanks everyone.

[Paul R Johnson]

I prefer right angled plugs as for critical things you can tape them in so much easier than normal shaped plugs without locking rings. When I use the locking types, the sticking out rigid connector is always a pressure point, especially with dancers who wear dance tights which can put considerable pressure on the connector. Right angles on IEM packs are more reliable when you have headphones on the go.

[Craig McKenna]

Originally Posted by Paul R Johnson

I prefer right angled plugs as for critical things you can tape them in so much easier than normal shaped plugs without locking rings. When I use the locking types, the sticking out rigid connector is always a pressure point, especially with dancers who wear dance tights which can put considerable pressure on the connector. Right angles on IEM packs are more reliable when you have headphones on the go.

Thanks Paul... can you recommend ways to tape the lav with right angled plugs?