Neutrik NC5 FD-L1

Not cheap (but then again not too bad for Neutrik). But it's a beautiful connector. Also use the rear mounting bezel (Neutrik MFD, <a class="article link" href="neutrik_mfd.htm">Neutrik MFD</a>) instead of plain nuts, they only cost a few pence and make the mounting process so much easier and secure the connector much more securely.

If you are building a patch panel where people are plugging/unplugging (and probably some poor brand connectors) then it has to be Neutrik. Especially for the 5-pin XLR (lighting DMX), because the diameter of the pins is less than the 3-pin XLR. Pick a cheapy brand and you're going to get bent or broken pins and damaged mating connectors. So don't be a fool, use genuine Neutrik in these applications. Save your cheapy brands for less challenging applications!

Neutrik have pretty much taken over from Switchcraft and Deltron as the 'go-to' brand for connectors. And for good reason, their products are extremely well-designed and easy to use. I say this after a career in pro audio which involved soldering many thousands of connectors of all types - and I can only think of a couple of strange cases where Neutrik connectors were not appropriate. Not only do the unpack, align and solder easily - they can be reused (with a little cleaning) - in fact I have never thrown any away! Even my oldest Neutrik connectors (late 1980's vintage) transmit sparkling clear audio with a little cleaning.

So for field and studio installation, Neutrik is one of the best. The only big decision with this connector was whether to use fixing hardware or rivets.