Help! Cable tip broken off in socket

djenzyme · 2023-04-14T16:17:36.000Z

Its a 1/4 inch on the back of the unit and its literally just the tip thats come off, the actual jack has the first plastic ring still attached and theres a small stem where the tip would attach. Looking into the socket, it looks to be stuck pretty deep, probably where it would be anyway if the jack wasn’t broken but plugged in.

I’ll do a bit more digging, I’ve just seen the 3.5mm extraction tools, there must be larger ones available somewhere.

Thanks for all the input guys, I’ve got a few things to go on now!

Jeanne · 2023-04-14T16:54:31.441Z

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avantronica · 2023-04-14T18:29:30.596Z

djenzyme:

theres a small stem where the tip would attach

In that case there’s a hole potentially accessible within the tip - it might be possible to cut a Biro (or similar) to create a tube, then pass a chunky cocktail stick (or similar) through it with some (careful here) strong instant grab adhesive and let it bond … then try to withdraw

I’m fairly patient at these kinds of tasks, so i’m expressing what i know i could do. If you chose to do this or similar then do so at your own risk. Likewise removing the board from the chassis to do a fix is probably within the realms of doable - depending on teh layout you may be able to use a finger drill to put a hole in the far end and push it through - these pcb mounted sockets tend to have a plastic end - again, at your own risk.

If it’s like other Behringer synths of that form factor you at least have the convenience of the 3.5mm output which is identical if anything didn’t go to plan or you play a long game on the fix

I’ve used those Elektron cables for years and had no issues, there can be other factors, but it’s unsettling that it could shear off

Good luck … ps: i think it would be more informative to title the topic as cable tip broken off in socket (or similar)

smosher · 2023-04-14T18:48:28.724Z

I managed to extract a snapped off trs shaft by soldering a wire to it. It sounds like it might be too deep to reach with the iron, but you can tin the end of the wire with a bit of solder, then heat the wire when it’s in contact with the piece you’re trying to extract.

djenzyme · 2023-04-14T18:49:01.038Z

I just watched a video of someone using a cotton bud to remove a stuck tip, and it actually worked. Tried it myself but no dice

The removal tools seem to be unavailable in this size, but maybe I can find a Hi-Fi repairs shop or similar that can do it. Annoying but at least it will be fixed.

Thanks for the input!

djenzyme · 2023-04-14T18:50:20.902Z

In this case its literally just the tip stuck quite far in, theres no way to solder anything

smosher · 2023-04-14T18:56:53.241Z

Sure, but still doable, as long as there is metal the solder will wet to. Copper is highly conductive of heat and you can use the wire itself to reflow the solder onto the plug tip. Once that cools, you’ll have the tip soldered to the wire and you can just pull it back out.

GurtTractor · 2023-04-14T19:19:07.352Z

If you could take a picture of the offending leads that caused this it would be helpful so others can avoid them. Though perhaps you just got unlucky with a defective plug.

I can’t offer any particular advice beyond what others have said, sorry Hope you find a solution.

Pharmer · 2023-04-14T19:19:07.993Z

This happened to me and i took it back to the shop that sold me the cable and they removed it. They didnt have to use glue or solder, but im not sure what tool they used to extract, possibly long tweezers but i didnt get a look.
I just wanted to mention this before you bring glue or solder into the jack socket equation, sorry i cant be more specific for the actual method to do it. Took the guy in the shop a couple of minutes

obscurerobot · 2023-04-14T19:59:52.102Z

I would look for something like a #0 wood screw with a 3" shaft. Or a similar machine screw. Important things are for the shaft diameter to be as small as possible, the thread end needs to be pointy, and the threads should be designed to cut, not fit into machined threads.

Then try to gently screw the screw into the hole in the tip, then pull. If that doesn’t work, possibly heat the tip of the screw with a lighter first so you can dig a bit deeper into the remaining plastic without causing it to swell too much. Then after giving plenty of cooling time, give it a pull.

There is a fair amount of friction to overcome if the tip is jammed at the end of a jack.

prscrptn · 2023-04-14T20:29:43.262Z

you should be able to remove the nut on the 1/4” jack to give you extra room and a bit of play on the jack. A pair of needle nose pliers should be small enough to grab the tip, If not you should be able to access the jack by removing one of the side panels and using a small screwdriver.

NightlyClosures · 2023-04-14T20:31:32.718Z

Would a magnet work?

DaveMech · 2023-04-14T21:17:54.407Z

Had this once and a friend of mine gave the tip (pun not intended) to simply use a long screw. Think I used a 4mm diameter screw.

Like @obscurerobot says.

Worked like a charm.

ccr · 2023-04-14T21:25:18.037Z

Same here. Managed to extract a TRS tip from a mixer using a screw a couple of years ago.

avantronica · 2023-04-14T22:37:45.747Z

There are a myriad of TRS sockets - behringer probably have their own designs, so you’ll likely find pcb shots online

what i’m getting to is that i have just bought some REAN(Neutrik) TRS sockets and the springs are all accessible from a view of the board, all you’d need to do would be to pry the spring up as much as a tip would before it springs back into the dip - this might give you the ability to tip out the tip - you’d probably have to pry all the tips up a few mm - it all depends on teh socket design and whether they have switched inputs, some will be easier than others, but you can get enclosed ones with nothing on the outside to play with

It’s a relatively painless thing to look at and seek advice on - i.e. once an technician looks at it your warranty would be no different than if you did so yourself, and keep iun mind anyway that these boxes are designed to eurorack, so they are going to be in/out of case anyway

it shouldn’t be any cost if you have a modest adventurous spirit, no need to do it if it looks like it might be tricky, but worth a look inside surely

here’s a breakout panel for a Behringer Neutron rear panel PCB

you can see it has easily accessible sprung contacts and they’re quite ‘aggressive’ looking in terms of the clamping angle, i’m pretty sure the ones i have are flatter and maybe easier to overcome - hard to tell from a photo - but nonetheless, all you’d need to do would be to gently pry those three prongs up (without deforming it, i.e. only a mm or two higher than it rests on a jack) - then without that clamping prong holding it within the end region it should tumble out

It may be different in the K2 wrt parts or layout, but it’s not a job requiring much more than patience and some ingenuity

springs

djenzyme · 2023-04-14T22:59:40.630Z

Wow, theres a lot to think about. I’m really not very confident with electronics but I guess it won’t hurt to take it apart and just have a look. I’m a bit worried about the tip moving as its being removed, like if it takes on an impossible angle so it won’t ever come out.

I’ve already decided if I do get the thing out, I’m going to just leave a headphone adapter permanently plugged into it. Makes me wonder if it was a faulty lead or if the socket is too tight or something.

djenzyme · 2023-04-14T23:01:52.676Z

Picture of the broken lead….

IMG_00513264×2448 2.63 MB

bambrose · 2023-04-15T08:02:06.963Z

Yeah this is the way
I had the same issue with an Octatrack years ago
Held the machine above my head
Used a small screwdriver to depress the back spring and the tip fell out

Bunker · 2023-04-15T10:15:41.891Z

djenzyme:

Makes me wonder if it was a faulty lead or if the socket is too tight or something.

The jack sockets on the B eurorack clones are quite tight but no more than a bunch of other stuff I’ve got…thinking of the MPC Live 2…so I think it’s more likely to be the plug on the lead.

Bunker · 2023-04-15T10:45:32.990Z

Here’s a shot of the socket board in my Neutron which will be similar to your K2. You can see the closed nature of the Jack socket. The sprung fingers of the Jack socket are visible and the end one is what’s holding the tip in the socket. You could try and lift the fingers and t the tip out that way but be careful not to force or bend them or else you’ll end up with a bad connection. It’s easy enough to access the board, simply remove the screws in the faceplate and lift it away. You could remove the socket board if it’s easier to work with it out of the case?

image4032×3024 2.84 MB