Ribbon Cable Assemblies

[Rent FX]

Does anyone know where I can get pre-assembled ribbon cable/connectors? I'm looking for a 40 conductor ribbon with 16 connectors with 2" spacing. It's for a Soundcraft 1624 Analog Console. Or does anyone assembly these? Thanks.

 

[cr0sh]

Something like that you would probably have to have custom made or make it yourself - it won't be off the shelf. Look in your local yellow pages to see if there's such a place in your area (here in Phoenix, there's a place called "Computer Cable Specialists" that does this kind of work:

**broken link removed**

They've been in business for many years (from what I understand, since the "dawn" of the microcomputer age, basically). If you have no place nearby, and know the exact specifications you need, you might give them a call. Its possible that such a cable may cost a bit of money, depending on what labor is needed beyond the physical parts...

 

[Rbeckett]

Futurlec has the connectors and the cables. Be prepared forr a long wait (3 weeks average)arrival time, but they do have em. I got a selection in my last order for 6.00 US. 20-30 pieces and cables. Listed under IDCC Connectors.
Hope this helps
Bob

 

[KeepItSimpleStupid]

Take a photo. Digikey makes custom cables (ends only), nothing fancy as far as I know. IDC (InterDigitated contacts) are easy to do in a vise. Single wires for higher current are much harder to do.

A manual crimp tool can cost from $60 to $200+(racheting)

25 pair telco connectors are another animal altogether.

How many?

You don;t give much to go on. I gather this is an Ocopus type of cable. One to many?

 

[cr0sh]

Take a photo. Digikey makes custom cables (ends only), nothing fancy as far as I know. IDC (InterDigitated contacts) are easy to do in a vise. Single wires for higher current are much harder to do.

A manual crimp tool can cost from $60 to $200+(racheting)

25 pair telco connectors are another animal altogether.

How many?

You don;t give much to go on. I gather this is an Ocopus type of cable. One to many?

It sounds like he needs a "bus"-type cable - one ribbon cable with a bunch of connectors along it (something like a multi-device SCSI cable); at least, that's how I interpreted his description.

I think a description, type, picture, or something of the connectors might be helpful; obviously, they have to be IDC, but that doesn't say what kind the are (or whether they're still available new, or if they are surplus only)...

 

[cr0sh]

Something else I wonder:

Assuming I have the idea of the cable correct, this cable likely runs along the backside or underneath between each channel as some kind of interconnect; is it carrying audio signals of any kind, or only control signals? Do those lines need to be shielded? Does it need twisted-pair style ribbon cable (flattened-out at the connectors)? Maybe the "shielding" is done by a ground-line in-between each signal line or something of that nature?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Something else I wonder:

Assuming I have the idea of the cable correct, this cable likely runs along the backside or underneath between each channel as some kind of interconnect; is it carrying audio signals of any kind, or only control signals? Do those lines need to be shielded? Does it need twisted-pair style ribbon cable (flattened-out at the connectors)? Maybe the "shielding" is done by a ground-line in-between each signal line or something of that nature?

It's not as crucial as you might think - the bus is a virtual earth, so crossover is pretty non-existant.

 

[Rent FX]

Here are some pix and specs I got together. The cable carries only control signals. The pic showing a frayed edge is what got me in this predicament due to a less than competent Soundcraft tech!

 

[Rbeckett]

Definately very easy to do yourself. Look at my original reply and order the IDCC (insulation Displacement Cable Connectors) connectors as needed, and a length of cable and in a few minutes you will be fixed up good as new. I ordered the assortment, but Futurlec and others have them available as male or female in the pin counts and configurations you need. Just get a good look at what you got and match it to the pic of what you need. I am pretty new, but this is easy enough for me to do, so you will be fine.
Bob

 

[KeepItSimpleStupid]

I'd be happy to do them for you, but they are one pricy cable. Here is an example connector. Digi-Key - OR948-ND (Manufacturer - XG4M-4030-U)

If I understand it right, one end is just unterminated wires.

You didn't specify it completely because there is pitch. The standard pitch is 0.100 and square pins.

If this thing fits in a socket there could be issues. If it fits in a header, then no real issues.

Electronic Components Distributor | DigiKey Corp. | US Home Page could probably make the cables.

There is a connector available that actually adds a strain relief to the wire which makes it more rugged.

But you can see that 18 *~ $4.00 is pricey not counting wire, etc. That's like $80 per cable not including labor.

Usually there are minimal problems, but the connector dimensions and any tabs would have to be verified. If they plug into headers then there are no issues.

Any numbers or markings on the body will help.

 

[Rent FX]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I found a guy on Ebay who's parting out his 1624 and I purchased what I needed from him. Happy Holidays to all. Rock on!