Saturday morning housekeeping

[Peter Batah]

A little Saturday morning housekeeping. A clean connector is a happy connector. Oh, and let's not forget a clean signal of course!

 

[skier]

Hey Peter,

Is this something you have to do frequently? I ask because I don't normally have to perform contact cleaning in my studio unless I actually hear some crackling, which is very rare. Of course, the studio is an atmospherically controlled environment that generally varies from 60 - 75 degrees F and 20 - 60% humidity. However, some of my clients often have problems repeatedly in substations and generation facilities that are not temperature and humidity controlled, meaning that they're not both heated in winter or air conditioned in summer. Winter causes condensation problems and summer offers high humidity, bot causes of corrosion. I have a friend who has this problem in his garage studio because it is only heated when he has a session and does not have A/C for the summer.

 

[Peter Batah]

@skier The snake was used when I bought it. Not knowing how or in what setting it was used, I simply thought that it would be wise to perform some essential maintenance. I am not sure how often I would this as the XLR's will be permanently connected to the back of my DM in a home studio environment. I imagine that one would want to perform the cleaning process a little more often especially if the snake was being used on the road in varying venues. Every few years perhaps.

 

[skier]

Ahhh! I inferred that you were just cleaning the contacts periodically in your studio. But now that you explain this is a used snake, you're smart to assure that it's in good condition right from the start. If it stays in your studio and that is a conditioned space, you may never have to do it again. A lot can also depend on the contact material; for example, gold-plated contacts usually never need be done, but not all connectors have gold-plated contacts. Good thinking!

 

[SocProf]

Is that a pipe cleaner?

Caig DeOxit/ProGold products are also good on audio systems. I treat every metal to metal contact in mine, and the effect is very apparent.

 

[Arjan P]

In my experience (more in commercial aviation than audio) if the contact is good, don't touch the connector - unless moisture can get in. And high humidity can also count as moisture. Other than that, disconnecting and reconnecting two connectors is more likely to cause problems than solve them.

Ofcourse, if you get used snakes, a good cleaning is always a good idea!

 

[Peter Batah]

Is that a pipe cleaner?

Caig DeOxit/ProGold products are also good on audio systems. I treat every metal to metal contact in mine, and the effect is very apparent.

Yes, I use cotton pipe cleaners. Very flexible and can get into hard to reach places. Unlike Q-Tips.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B075887GML/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[SocProf]

Thanks, Peter.