[sdiy] Installing good looking XLR panel connector on rack equipment?

[Mike Beauchamp]

I'd probably just make some 1/4" TRS to XLR pigtails and not punch any 
holes in anything.

But if you do want to make holes, switchcraft make panel mount XLR's 
(like this: 
https://nextgenguitars.ca/products/switchcraft-d3f-xlr-female-panel-jack.html 
) that hide the hole. I'd just center-punch, then drill a small pilot 
hole and use a stepped drill bit.

Hope that helps!

Mike


On 2026-06-15 14:45, cheater cheater via Synth-diy wrote:
> I have a couple dbx 286s units, and in their infinite wisdom dbx did
> not include XLR output, only input, so I'm looking for a good clean
> way to install a high quality xlr output plug. It already has balanced
> TRS, so electrically it isn't anything spectacular, but I'm looking to
> punch the enclosure in a nice way and then install the plug. I was
> wondering if anyone had experience with this, and can recommend a good
> combination of panel mount XLR jack and a punch that makes holes that
> fit it well. I know Neutrik do panel mount XLR, so that would be my
> go-to, but I don't know how best to go about doing the hole punching,
> so I would appreciate any suggestions or experiences. Thanks.
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