Break-away connector for Beta snake?

Alpha Flying Monkey

Alpha Flying Monkey

Well-known member
I'm looking for the break-away connector used in a Beta snake- I need to build a better mixer to camera cable than my current one (2 x XLR & 1 x 1/8" mini on each end)... It's a pain to disconnect the camera or mixer for each shot move. I suppose I could just use a 7-pin XLR pair, but that would mean sharing the ground with all 3 connectors, and I don't think that's the best idea.

Oh, yeah- I'm hoping to find something that won't induce an apoplectic fit while trying to solder!
 
You might check with Pacific Radio and Electronics the LA area. You should call because their catalog is not all online.
 
Lots of luck finding one that's easy to solder. I think Neutrik makes some that are in common use. But a breakaway snake is so fiddly to make that I think I'd pass on DIY - I know I did. Pro audio sources like Coffey Sound or Trew Audio have high quality breakways in stock and IMHO it's worth the additional cost over DIY not to have to deal with the hassle. I got a Remote Audio Hirose 10 pin (for my SD 442) to 2xXLR + 1/8 jack + 1/8 plug breakaway at Trew and it didn't break the bank too badly.
 
Tim Joy said:
You might check with Pacific Radio and Electronics the LA area. You should call because their catalog is not all online.
Click to expand...

Tim- thanks for the tip, but the "sales" person on the phone didn't know squat & wasn't interested in helping... Maybe I'll try emailing them!
 
Steve- I'm thinking you're correct... A 25' breakaway is only $175.

I built mine using MOGAMI 2602 4-pair mic cable, so I was thinking of using Neutrik OSC8F & OSC8M 8-pin connectors... Has anyone used these? How are they to solder?
 
They are neutricon connectors (osc8m/f )
and you still have to combine the grounds.

I'll warn you right now if you're not a very experienced soldering guy
you're going to be MISERABLE trying to make this cable correctly.
 
Thanks Rippie... I usually make my own cables & am experienced soldering some pretty small connections (including the Hirose 4-pin... ugh!). From reading the specs & the connection instructions from Neutrik, it looks like the pins are soldered onto the wire ends & then pushed into the connector housing- should be a breeze (no, really!).
 
Ive made my last 3 and every time I tell myself "never again"
Im pretty sure im going to listen to my own advice next time.

I could be off on the numbers but if i recall correctly I still spent around 100 bux on parts
just isnt worth saving 100 bux wasting a day and your sanity.
 
I suppose I could use the 20' foot non-breakaway cable I already have for now & just wait to spend the $175 on a 25' breakaway... Unfortunately- my favorite line from Alice in Wonderland: "I give myself such good advice, but rarely do I take it."

I'm only spending another $35 on parts (Nuetrik connector & another 10' of snake cable) so I might just go ahead... If you guys don't hear from me again you'll know that I've taken up gardening- I hear it's soothing for one's nerves.
 
Alpha Flying Monkey said:
I'm looking for the break-away connector used in a Beta snake- I need to build a better mixer to camera cable than my current one (2 x XLR & 1 x 1/8" mini on each end)... It's a pain to disconnect the camera or mixer for each shot move. I suppose I could just use a 7-pin XLR pair, but that would mean sharing the ground with all 3 connectors, and I don't think that's the best idea.

Oh, yeah- I'm hoping to find something that won't induce an apoplectic fit while trying to solder!
Click to expand...

Hello All,

Glen Trew, Trew Audio. After seeing this thread I thought I'd offer some related details...

The multi-pin quick release connector commonly used on professional mixer-to-camera snakes (formerly called "Beta Snakes", we now call them "ENG Breakaways") is the 8-pin Neutricon, which is a line of connectors made by Neutrik. Those who are mechanically and electrically inclined with [very] good soldering skills can make their own ENG cable on a home bench. Trew Audio has the connectors and the cable. The connectors are not yet on our online store, so a phone call is needed (not sure if the Toronto and Vancouver stores have them in stock, but we'll help you get them, regardless).

For those making their own ENG breakaway cables I highly recommend using the Remote Audio 3PS26 cable (http://www.trewaudio.com/store/product.php?productid=622&cat=17&page=1), which is made specifically for ENG breakaways and the Neutricon connectors. Compared to the Mogami 4-pair cable that is sometimes used, the Remote Audio brand has only 3 shielded pairs (all that is needed for these cables), which keeps the conductor size larger and the outside diameter smaller to better fit the Neutricon connectors. We will soon be posting the wiring scheme for the Remote Audio ENG cables (hopefully by tomorrow).

Regarding cable length: The standard length the Remote Audio ENG breakaway cables is 20 feet, with 3 feet on the camera end, leaving about 17 feet between the mixer and recorder. This length was determined from years of experience tethered to a camera... 15 feet seemed too short, and 25 feet was usually unnecessarily bulky and heavy. Even still, some people prefer longer or shorter lengths which we can make with just a few days notice.

When choosing ENG cables and comparing prices, keep in mind that Remote Audio makes standard and deluxe versions:

standard (http://www.trewaudio.com/store/product.php?productid=106&cat=13&page=1)

deluxe (http://www.trewaudio.com/store/product.php?productid=545&cat=13&page=1) versions of the ENG breakaway. (not shown in this photo is the carabiner clip now included for strain relief at the mixer end

I hope the info is helpful.

Best,

Glen Trew
 
Alpha Flying Monkey said:
I've picked up the 8-pin Netricon... It doesn't look too difficult to solder & assemble, so I'm going to give it a try with the 4-pair cable I already have.

I found this cable: https://www.tselectronic.com/genesis/1266.html I wonder if it would work as well... Seems like I could make a boatload of breakaways for a little over $100 worth of cable!
Click to expand...

This Genesis cable would work but has a foil shield, which gives very good shielding but is not good for the flexibility needed for an ENG breakaway cable. Since ENG breakaway cables are usually short lengths (less than 100 feet) and should use line levels to the camera whenever possible, stranded spiral wrapped shields are more than adequate and much more flexible.

Glen Trew
 
Glen Trew said:
This Genesis cable would work but has a foil shield, which gives very good shielding but is not good for the flexibility needed for an ENG breakaway cable. Since ENG breakaway cables are usually short lengths (less than 100 feet) and should use line levels to the camera whenever possible, stranded spiral wrapped shields are more than adequate and much more flexible.

Glen Trew
Click to expand...

Thanks, Glen- I'm going to stick with the cable I have... I'll order one from you if I need to make another one later. I wish I had found yours earlier!

John
 
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