3.5mm to RCA connecter?

[Kashex]

I saw a DIY for this a week or two ago, but I can't seem to find it. The DIY I saw used sauter to connect the cable to the 3.5mm plug. I don't currently have access to sauter without purchasing a new iron, and some sauter. I guess i'm wondering if there's a way to safely and securely make the connector without sauter?

 

[markw]

With all due respect, for what they cost, it's not really worth to effort to gather the parts. pay shipping and construct it.

BTW, I think the word you're looking for is "solder".

Trust me, just buy one. Just look for one of these http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP

 

[Kashex]

With all due respect, for what they cost, it's not really worth to effort to gather the parts. pay shipping and construct it.

BTW, I think the word you're looking for is "solder".

Trust me, just buy one. Just look for one of these

Thanks for the spelling correction. I knew it looked wrong and it was coming up red with the spell check but I didn't think anything of it.

I've actually found a few cheaper than that online, problem is, I have no way to order parts online. I DO however have access to Radioshack, Menards, Home Depot, and places that sell parts. I'm confident that I can get all the parts, in fact, I found RCA cables that I can cut apart to make the adapter, I just need to find someplace (I'm assuming radioshack) that sells 3.5mm plugs.

 

[markw]

Thanks for the spelling correction. I knew it looked wrong and it was coming up red with the spell check but I didn't think anything of it.

I've actually found a few cheaper than that online, problem is, I have no way to order parts online. I DO however have access to Radioshack, Menards, Home Depot, and places that sell parts. I'm confident that I can get all the parts, in fact, I found RCA cables that I can cut apart to make the adapter, I just need to find someplace (I'm assuming radioshack) that sells 3.5mm plugs.

Don't forget to figure in the cost of a sautering iron and sauter.

No offense, but if you can't even spell solder, odds are you don't know how to do it in the first place.

You can't do this without soldering them, and some practice on learning how to do it, right? Some gear isn't too tolerant of short circuits and I don't think an Ipod would be too happy with one.

I'll put as simply as possible: Just buy the fargin' thing at RatShack, Lowes or Home Depot.

Then, get a cheap iron, some solder, and practice on stuff that won't cause damage or cost much to replace if you make a mistake. Pick up old table radios or something to play with.

 

[Kashex]

Don't forget to figure in the cost of a sautering iron and sauter.

No offense, but if you can't even spell solder, odds are you don't know how to do it in the first place.

You can't do this without soldering them, and some practice on learning how to do it, right? Some gear isn't too tolerant of short circuits and I don't think an Ipod would be too happy with one.

I'll put as simply as possible: Just buy the fargin' thing at RatShack, Lowes or Home Depot.

Then, get a cheap iron, some solder, and practice on stuff that won't cause damage or cost much to replace if you make a mistake. Pick up old table radios or something to play with.

Yeah, I didn't realize a soldering iron was as inexpensive as it was. I purchased an iron and some solder today. I'm using this as a kind of intro project. Something small that I won't be terribly upset if it goes wrong. I just wish I could find the DIY I saw a week or so back.

 

[Halon451]

A couple of things about soldering:

1.) Try to utilize the "2 Second" rule, meaning, you should never apply the iron for longer than about 2 seconds.
2.) If you properly 'tin' the points where contact will be made, apply a small bit of solder directly to the iron, join the pieces to be connected, and apply the iron. The solder on the iron will react quickly to the solder on the joining pieces, it will melt quickly and you remove the iron.
3.) The fumes from soldering are toxic, therefore do this in a well-ventilated area.
4.) Check appearance of the solder joint. If it is dull and gray looking, you have what's called a "cold solder joint", and is likely to either fail eventually, or not provide good continuity. Redo. You're looking for a smooth, shiny, silver appearance.
5.) Don't fall into the notion of "The bigger the blob, the better the job". This is not only wasteful, but is contradictory to good soldering practices, and could lead to short circuits (especially in those tiny 3.5mm connectors).
6.) Practice, practice, practice...

Hope this helps.

 

[Kashex]

A couple of things about soldering:

1.) Try to utilize the "2 Second" rule, meaning, you should never apply the iron for longer than about 2 seconds.
2.) If you properly 'tin' the points where contact will be made, apply a small bit of solder directly to the iron, join the pieces to be connected, and apply the iron. The solder on the iron will react quickly to the solder on the joining pieces, it will melt quickly and you remove the iron.
3.) The fumes from soldering are toxic, therefore do this in a well-ventilated area.
4.) Check appearance of the solder joint. If it is dull and gray looking, you have what's called a "cold solder joint", and is likely to either fail eventually, or not provide good continuity. Redo. You're looking for a smooth, shiny, silver appearance.
5.) Don't fall into the notion of "The bigger the blob, the better the job". This is not only wasteful, but is contradictory to good soldering practices, and could lead to short circuits (especially in those tiny 3.5mm connectors).
6.) Practice, practice, practice...

Hope this helps.

Contrary to what markw and apparently you thought, i've done soldering work in the past. I worked on an electrics crew for a theatre two summers in a row, so i'm not completely inexperienced. I spelled solder wrong because i'm apparently spelling-impaired and haven't had to spell the word out recently. Whatever, we all make mistakes. I do appreciate the help though.

I'm still looking for that DIY so I know exactly where to put which wires. (4 wires from the RCA to the two prongs of a 3.5mm...don't wanna mess that up.) Any ideas? even typed out instructions would be helpful.

 

[Halon451]

Sorry for the assumption and the "Basic Soldering 101" course.

I'm assuming that you are making a 3.5mm to dual RCA (stereo) cable?

 

[Kashex]

Sorry for the assumption and the "Basic Soldering 101" course.

I'm assuming that you are making a 3.5mm to dual RCA (stereo) cable?

Correct, lol this is where it gets ugly. I've done soldering before but it's all been in a lighting context. The only electrical work i've done has been lighting based. So I know HOW to do it, but I haven't the faintest WHAT to do if that makes sense. I'm an audio newb which is why I joined this site. Like I said before, I just need to know where to connect which wires.

 

[Halon451]

Why don't you just go out and purchase an inexpesive adapter cable? They sell those at Radioshack too. It might save you a lot of headache, unless you really just want to do this yourself.

Like this one:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2456455&cp=2032058.2032231.2032280&pg=2&parentPage=family

 

[Kashex]

Why don't you just go out and purchase an inexpesive adapter cable? They sell those at Radioshack too. It might save you a lot of headache, unless you really just want to do this yourself.

Like this one:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2456455&cp=2032058.2032231.2032280&pg=2&parentPage=family

because I needed a soldering iron for for my toolbag anyway, and so far the materials to put this together by hand (Stuff I didn't need anyway) has been $1.99 (3.5mm plugs that I actually had to buy) other than that I have like 5 extra 3 foot RCA cables and I needed solder and a soldering iron anyway. So the way I look at it, so far i've spent $2 on the project AND I get a project to work on.

 

[Halon451]

Well, the 3.5 mini is made for either balanced audio, or stereo signal. Going from the 3.5 to dual RCA's is simple. The 3.5 mini jack will handle the left and right stereo signals together - Tip, ring, sleeve. The tip will carry the right signal, the ring will carry the left (or vice versa, just as long as it is consistent). Branch these connections (using two wires) to each of the RCA plugs (soldering the signal conductor left or right) to the middle cup of the RCA. The (-) signal will be carried from each connectors shielding (ground) connection. For the RCA that is the long tab that extends outward. For the 3.5mm jack, it is the sleeve portion. You should be able to tie those together at the 3.5mm connector. You should be able to tell which tabs are which for T,R,S on the mini by looking at it.

You don't need a four conductor wire to do this, rather two 2-conductor wires. At least, that's how I would do it. Actually, I would just go out and buy the damn adapter cable and be done with it.

The only time I've ever constructed any kind of adapter like this was for utilizing a 3.5 mini to dual XLR's to run my iPod through a Crown D75 Amplifier. 3.5 mini to dual RCA adapters are so easy to come by I've never ever thought of building one.

Good luck.

 

[Kashex]

Well, the 3.5 mini is made for either balanced audio, or stereo signal. Going from the 3.5 to dual RCA's is simple. The 3.5 mini jack will handle the left and right stereo signals together - Tip, ring, sleeve. The tip will carry the right signal, the ring will carry the left (or vice versa, just as long as it is consistent). Branch these connections (using two wires) to each of the RCA plugs (soldering the signal conductor left or right) to the middle cup of the RCA. The (-) signal will be carried from each connectors shielding (ground) connection. For the RCA that is the long tab that extends outward. For the 3.5mm jack, it is the sleeve portion. You should be able to tie those together at the 3.5mm connector. You should be able to tell which tabs are which for T,R,S on the mini by looking at it.

You don't need a four conductor wire to do this, rather two 2-conductor wires. At least, that's how I would do it. Actually, I would just go out and buy the damn adapter cable and be done with it.

The only time I've ever constructed any kind of adapter like this was for utilizing a 3.5 mini to dual XLR's to run my iPod through a Crown D75 Amplifier. 3.5 mini to dual RCA adapters are so easy to come by I've never ever thought of building one.

Good luck.

alright. I'll give it a shot and see how it goes. I'll make sure to take pictures so you can laugh at me when I mess up =P

EDIT:
Well that was almost insultingly simple. Took me a second to do the tinning, just because i'm out of practice, but Everything works fine, first time I plugged it in and everything.

I took some pictures, but not many of the actual process, and they're low quality, but everything worked out,

Total cost $2.00
Total time spend actually building 15 min.

 

[Halon451]

Cool man, good to hear. I understand the need to "tinker", believe me I do. And it always helps to know that you've invested a little more energy into something. Half the cables in my car audio system are home built just for this very reason.

That's what makes this stuff fun!

 

[cadmiumeye]

Audio y splitter

Hey I would like to make my own cable as well. The ones that they sell are too short for what I need to do. I was thinking about 30' would be great. I dont know what parts to get where? I've done some soldering before at work. I had to link up a bunch of LED's for a suit we were building. I just dont know what the parts are called nor do i know what wire I need to get. Any help would be great. Thanks !!!

 

[Adam]

Hey I would like to make my own cable as well. The ones that they sell are too short for what I need to do. I was thinking about 30' would be great. I dont know what parts to get where? I've done some soldering before at work. I had to link up a bunch of LED's for a suit we were building. I just dont know what the parts are called nor do i know what wire I need to get. Any help would be great. Thanks !!!

Welcome to the forum! If you really want to make them, then that's a good route to go. However, you can always run 30' pretty easy by using two purchased wires. The first wire would be a minijack extension wire (here are two at monoprice.com: 25' and 50', very cheap), and the second wire would be an adapter like Halon suggested (also available at monoprice here). So, you could buy them premade and have it still be very cheap.

Adam

 

[cadmiumeye]

Thanks adam that sounds good, but the problem i run into with the extensions is that they create a buzzing or humming noise in the speakers. I do still get a small amount with just the splitter. I cant seem to make it go away, but its really bad once i add an extension.

 

[cadmiumeye]

Does anyone know how ???

To make a 3.5mm stereo AV audio Y splitter cable? Everyone seems to want to tell me to connect cables. I am not doing this. Does ANYONE know how to create a cable themselves?!?!? Can anyone tell me where to get the parts and what the parts are? I know how to solder....its easy. I just don't know where to get the parts. Can someone please help? Thanks =D

 

[Haoleb]

It may be quite difficult to DIY enough wires into a 1/8" stereo plug to have it splitted as well.

You can get parts from:

www.mouser.com

www.digikey.com

www.partsexpress.com

Of course, Connecting cables will be the easiest. But dont take my word for it.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=240-127

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=240-135

Radioshack sells a 3.5mm to two female, Which is what you would want not the 3.5 to 2 male.

I would spend a little bit more money to get nicer ones than those, but you get the idea. If you think that by making your own cable vs connecting some together such as the ones I have linked to, that your going to get rid of your humm problem. Your most likely wrong.

If you STILL want to make one...

You need one of these:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=092-157

Two of these:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=092-113

Two of these:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=092-115

And then your going to have to figure out how your going to get all the wires needed to do this configuration into that tiny 1/8" plug. Your on your own with that. But it wont be easy. You'll probably end up throwing your creation across the room and heading to radioshack.