I was recently working in a theater that had its intercom walk away on them a few years back, and ever since have been using varying combinations of phones and two way radios to communicate. So naturally, I set out to discover what it would take to put in a new comm system, and in my search I realized the whole theater was wired for a 4 pin intercom system. All of the wall jacks are all 4 pin xlr. In my experience and from doing some research I have yet to find an intercom that uses 4 pin as its communication, I've only ever seen it used for headsets. Does anyone know of a system that uses 4 pin as an interconnect?
Intercom over 4-pin?
- Thread starterMauser
- Start date
lwinters630
Well-Known Member
Their intercom was stolen a few years back. There was no patch bay that I could find, but its still possible, I didn't manage to find a building wiring diagram for comm. They didn't have any headsets to test it with, so I didn't have the chance to just plug one in.
How recent of a change is that that clear comm only uses 4 of the 6 pins? I want to say the theater was built in the 70s, but I'm not 100% on that. And wouldn't running clearcom require the use of an adapter per pack?
How recent of a change is that that clear comm only uses 4 of the 6 pins? I want to say the theater was built in the 70s, but I'm not 100% on that. And wouldn't running clearcom require the use of an adapter per pack?
Who told you that?
Pins 5 & 6 on 2-channel Clearcom has always been and still is program sound (balanced).
kevlar557
Member
Well Clear-Com 6pin cables come with pins 5 and 6 disconnected, their 6 pin wallplates are the same way. They also spec 4 conductor cable for permanent installations. I even spoke to clear com tech support, and they told me that since most newer systems put program over the PL, they don't require the other 2 pins.
kevlar557
Member
No. You are wrong, sorry. Take a look at the manual for the RS-500 series. It plainly states that pins 5 and 6 have no connection. The program audio in the 600 and 700 series are there for legacy systems.
In any case OP, you can use a clear-com 2 channel system with 4 conductors, just adapt on the wallplates. And if you do decide to do that, make sure to get switchcraft-style 6-pin XLRs, Neutrik has 2 configurations.
In any case OP, you can use a clear-com 2 channel system with 4 conductors, just adapt on the wallplates. And if you do decide to do that, make sure to get switchcraft-style 6-pin XLRs, Neutrik has 2 configurations.
I don't know why the RS-500 had them disconnected, but it's probably because it's internal circuitry didn't have a program sound input. If their latest products support those lines then that has to be what they're for.
Do you have some documentation from Clear-Com that says that pins 5&6 should no longer be used on 2-ch Partyline systems?
Not fighting, just a discussion. Lots of people read these forums for advice, and it's important that the information is correct and complete. If I'm wrong, I'd like to know. Besides, the thread is a discussion on connector pinouts for intercom...
Jay Ashworth
Well-Known Member
For the record, fora are a *miserable* way to aggregate knowledge, both for their lack of indexing, and for the reason MrX points up above. Editing, or 'curation', or whatever you call it, is a very useful tool. It's why this board has a wiki built in, though it doesn't seem to get as much use as you'd expect/prefer.
http://www.clearcom.com/upload/download/RS-702RS-702QuickStartGuide.pdf
5 & 6 Program Audio (balanced)
5 & 6 Program Audio (balanced)
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