How to Solder a Female XLR Connector
In this first soldering example will show you how to properly solder a “Female” XLR connector. A microphone cable consists of both a Female XLR and a Male XLR connector – but only the “Female” XLR will be demonstrated in this example. We will cover how to Solder both the Male and Female XLRs (microphone cable) on a separate page / video clip.
The main parts of a Female XLR are shown below.
Note: What does “XLR” stand for? “External Line Return,” The actual history behind the “XLR” is that the “X” refers to the original name of the Connector (Cannon X Connector), the “L” stands for “Latching,” and the “R” refers to the “Rubber” insulation added to surround and help protect the cable.
First follow Steps 1 – 5: 1) Clear the Work Area. 2) Turn on the Soldering Iron, Fan, Wet the Sponge. 3) Set up your Vice. 4) Ready the Solder, and Most Importantly 5) Put on your Safety Glasses Now!
6. Prepare the Cable and Connectors: The preparation of the cable and connectors go hand in hand, and are combined in this step.
- Determine the cable length you need – roll the cable up slightly. We are using a 3-Wire, shielded cable.
- Take the XLR connector apart (loosen screws slightly).
- Slide the connector shell and inner sleeve on one end of the cable, and in the correct orientation.
Don’t forget to watch the Video Clip!
- Place the “Female” XLR connector in the Vice (again, we are only using the Female XLR connector in this example), be careful not to over tighten the Vice on the connector.
- Tin the connector leads (see “What is Tinning” page).
- Prepare the cable ends by stripping the cable jacket back, and then strip the wires to pre-determined lengths (size the wires up to the connector).
- Twist the wire strands together as needed – then tin the wires on the end of the cable.
Don’t skip the “Tinning” part. Tinning is very important to ensure a smoother, more reliable soldering process.
XLR Pin Configuration: You will notice that the pin numbers are stamped on the Female XLR connector (on both the front and back sides of the XLR connector).
7. Soldering: It’s now time to solder the wires to the connector. First “manipulate” the wires so that they line up with the connector leads. Then, with the Female XLR connector firmly in the vice, hold the end of the cable and solder the “Black” wire onto Pin-3 (middle connection – as shown), then the “Yellow” wire on the Pin-2 connection, and finally the “Shield” wire on the Pin-1 connection.
Pin configuration: Pin 1 = Shield, Pin 2 = Hot, and Pin 3 = Common.
Once you finish soldering to the connector, slide the connector shell and inner sleeve up the wire and connect both ends together (when pulling on the cable, pull gently, just enough to work the wire through). With the connector all assembled, take your small screwdriver (tweaker) and tighten the screws (be careful not to over-tighten). Inspect the cable and connector.
WARNING: The actual heating time (length of time the iron is heating the solder) should be very short. Leaving the hot iron on the wires any longer than a few seconds can melt the wires together (the wires could melt inside the jacket where damage is not visible), causing the cable to be defective.
Safety must be made a priority whenever you solder – AVCSS Tech World cannot be held responsible or liable for any injuries incurred from any soldering method or technique shown in this Booklet or on our Video Clips. Always use Caution!
