How To Make A Headphone Volume Knob and Detachable Cable
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- čas přidán 4. 12. 2020
- Follow along as I make a volume knob for my Sony MDR 7506s, and mod the headphones to have a detachable cable.
⭐Headphone modification service⭐: If you would prefer the modification to be done for you, I am happy to perform the mod myself. Email "business@hardwareunknown.com" to get started.
After I started making CZcams videos, a friend of mine asked me to film his video course on how to use a laser cutter. I realized quickly that my music headphones were not ideal for monitoring sound on set. I did some research and found that 7506s are hugely popular in the audio world, as they are purpose-built monitoring headphones. After having them for a single film session, I loved the quality but disliked the permanent cable. On top of that, the lack of a volume control was aggravating my tinnitus.
I wasn't going to settle for these shortfalls, and I set out to void my headphone warranty. I successfully did that, and also was able to keep them functional. Now they're my own unique pair and exactly the headphones I want.
Originally this video was meant to be a bit of entertaining, educational inspiration for you and your projects, like my previous videos. As I was editing it, however, I realized I had enough footage to make it more of a step-by-step guide that you can actually follow to upgrade your own headphones. If you do so, enjoy my mistakes, take your time, and don't worry. They're just headphones. If you break them, you can get another pair. Learning and gaining confidence in how to change your world is worth it one hundred times over.
Join me.
-- Parts I used --
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through links in my descriptions and comments. This helps me finance future videos at no additional cost to you. If you choose to support me in this way, thank you.
Sony MDR 7506s: amzn.to/3hX5LN0
Potentiometer: bit.ly/3ebCTy5
Project box: bit.ly/34GCgtb
Knob: bit.ly/3ebzH5x
3.5mm jacks for knob: amzn.to/2VncGau
3.5mm jack for headphones: bit.ly/2HT4LLh
Replacement 3.5mm cable end: bit.ly/2GcSSPY
3.5mm cable: bit.ly/34GD3dD
Stranded wire: amzn.to/3dkN4Bc
Solder: amzn.to/3xRtNPP
Soldering iron: amzn.to/3dfthmY
Cthulhu (helping hands): amzn.to/3AOzD6J
-- Other links--
Schematic: bit.ly/2HTpWNe
Senal SMH-1000s (MDR 7506 clone): amzn.to/3AQnq1t
Pre-made volume knob: amzn.to/2U2zGLA
-- Other links--
Schematic: bit.ly/2HTpWNe
Senal SMH-1000s (MDR 7506 clone): amzn.to/3jGpqzG
Pre-made volume knob: amzn.to/2TDL6ll
-- Attributions --
Music (in order):
1) Description
2) Song
3) Artist
4) Download
5) License
Mellow Morning by Dixxy from Soundcloud under CC BY-SA 3.0
bit.ly/3fas6nw
bit.ly/2BNbBPW
bit.ly/3fas6nw
bit.ly/2E3zKmb
Merry Bay by Ghostrifter from Soundcloud under CC BY-SA 3.0
bit.ly/3gvIpeW
bit.ly/3fcqFoS
bit.ly/2CcRIBF
bit.ly/2E3zKmb
Shush You by Le Gang from SoundCloud under CC BY 3.0
(Split to allow first volume knob demonstration)
bit.ly/2CjMS5x
bit.ly/3e6Y4Qj
bit.ly/2CjMS5x
bit.ly/2OGVg23
100 Steps by Le Gang from Soundcloud under CC BY 3.0
(Partially played during demos)
bit.ly/2ZcvskF
bit.ly/3e6Y4Qj
bit.ly/3fbWxtB
bit.ly/2OGVg23
Lonely Cry by LucidDream from Soundcloud under CC BY-SA 3.0
(Split to allow second volume knob demonstration)
bit.ly/2CgRR72
bit.ly/2OhEoip
bit.ly/2CgRR72
bit.ly/2E3zKmb
Drops In Mind by Le Gang from SoundCloud under CC BY 3.0
(Silent section removed)
bit.ly/3e42B5X
bit.ly/3e6Y4Qj
bit.ly/38IJZrm
bit.ly/2OGVg23
I Don't Need U 2 Say Anything by Le Gang from SoundCloud under CC BY 3.0
(Shortened, second half cut)
bit.ly/2Z97kPS
bit.ly/3e6Y4Qj
bit.ly/2Z5lfWS
bit.ly/2OGVg23
Strangers by Le Gang from SoundCloud under CC BY 3.0
bit.ly/2DhI0yp
bit.ly/3e6Y4Qj
bit.ly/2CjN70r
bit.ly/2OGVg23
The Forest by B3NJ4M1N from FreeBackgroundMusic under No Copyright
(Lengthened via repeating sections)
bit.ly/2Cjy7Q8
bit.ly/31Rv2Sl
bit.ly/2VXQYYe
Graphics and Footage:
1) Description
2) Download
3) Artist
lighted tunnel road by Daniel Jerez from Unsplash
bit.ly/2WBvctq
bit.ly/3fYOoJD
metal nut by Scrudje from Shutterstock
shutr.bz/3jnY6qU
shutr.bz/32APreD
Sound Effects:
1) Description
2) Download
3) Artist
4) License
Door Slam 2 by lyd4tuna from Freesound under CC0 1.0
bit.ly/3juwNeL
bit.ly/3hd7xrc
bit.ly/2CQOdRS
BleachHit by eardeer from Freesound under CC0 1.0
bit.ly/3jxyhF0
bit.ly/32FohTY
bit.ly/2CQOdRS
Outtake Beep by slappy13 from Freesound under CC0 1.0
bit.ly/39ei7LI
bit.ly/3fP6r4A
bit.ly/2CQOdRS - Jak na to + styl
came for 7506 but wow Wise Words at end, Props Good Day!
Thank you! I hope to inspire others with my builds, and however else I can using my videos. I enjoy passing on whatever knowledge I learn during the process of making them.
Same here!
Nicely put together guide and great sentiments.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed, hope it was helpful for performing your own modification
Noble and inspiring thanks
Thank you so much! I'm always delighted to hear my videos inspired others. Enjoy the mod, I really think it's worth the effort.
I love voiding warranties, although in truth most of the stuff I mod is long since out of warranty. Great explanation and demo here.
It's fun isn't it? But hey, if it's out of warranty it can be nice since there's no worries at that point. Sure you can damage it but you can get another if needed, and you learn so much along the way. Glad you enjoyed!
LOL I like your enthusiasm
I enjoy my builds, you know? There's just something about creating or modifying things physically that gives you a huge amount of satisfaction. I'm glad it shows through.
cool found you on reddit
Glad you enjoyed, and welcome! This was a build I've wanted to do for a while. I'll keep posting stuff here and there; more projects coming soon.
@@HardwareUnknown will look forward to it
2:20 Close your eyes. And it’s Kermit the Frog screaming _CLEAVER_ and _CTHULHU!_
A number of people on CZcams and TikTok have mentioned I sound like Kermit. I really need to perfect the impression and blow everyone's mind with being indistinguishable from him.
Hardware Unknown It’s a wonderful gift. I wish I sounded like a beloved character.
Of all the characters to sound like, Kermit is a pretty timeless voice. Can't complain.
The holder thing is awesome. And respect for using heat shrink on everything. Im in the process of searching out clear so I can make uv reactive color coding. Im getting a bunch of nice elbow jacks from a place called Thomann in Germany. I figure for the price of buying the DT770 with the detachable cable I can stock up on a lifetime supply of high quality headphone cable , jacks and elbow jacks. That way I can fix all the earbuds I have in the junk drawer too.
I started using the under layer of cool colors and designs when building tattoo machines, often clear heat shrink tube is used over simple paper, money, stickers etc…. i figure the same can be done with headphones and studio cables. Say a few neon stripes , enough to make each cable stand out individually….
That sounds really cool. Would love to get my hands on some clear heatshrink. I wouldn't do an electronics project without it. Particularly in such cramped quarters, the chance for a short is too high. I like doing things right way, so that when I seal everything up I know it will last for a long long time. No potential loss of stickiness and unwinding like tape if it gets hot. A few times I've been joining together such a rats nest of wires that I incorrectly count how many pieces I need, that's always fun to go back and fix. XD Well worth it though.
Definitely sounds like you could pull off what you describe with headphone cable. What's the deal with the UV reactive color coding? That sounds interesting. What are you going with UV reactive for? Is it for raves/venues that use black lights?
Does this change the quality sound?? Or it’s volume?? Great video!!
Thank you! While I'm not an audiophile with a trained ear, I have not noticed the quality or volume changing (other than as intended when using the knob). If the soldering is done poorly it could become loose and possibly cause crackling, but apart from that it should be no problem with basic soldering skills. Plus, you can redo the solder joint if needed.
Excited to do this project thanks for mapping it out. Any updates a few months later? Everything working OK? Anything you wish you did different?
I use them all the time whenever I'm video editing. Holding up great so far! Only thing I would have done differently is double sided tape the volume button to my desk earlier. I left it loose for a while, and some time back I taped it down and now I use it all the time since it's so convenient (didn't want to screw into the top side of my desk).
@@HardwareUnknown Awesome thanks!
@@HardwareUnknown Just completed the project. Thanks for the advice on this, worked great. Now I can fit it in my road-case easier by packing the headphones and cables separately.
Yes! I had a few people mention they were thinking of doing the mod, and you're the first to get back to me with it complete. I'm so glad it worked! Welcome to MDR freedom. Well done.
@@HardwareUnknown uh oh…. I dropped my headphones and now the insert 3.5mm jack has to be positioned right or it only comes out one ear… should I replace the jack or does it sound like wiring got loose?
What I love when Sony made the 7506.
Is that they knew this was going to a market were modification are comon on gear so they have a wiring guide in the box. Also Sony does provide spare parts from what I’ve heard.
They also have a fantastic exploded view of all the parts included with an insert in the packaging. Every part is labeled in case you need to replace them. I have to hand it Sony, they did a solid job with these especially for the price.
Yep that too.
I also have seen a company (remote audio) use a 5 pin mini xlr to have a locking detach cable that has a microphone for production things. So I am probably going to mod mine to that.
Now that's cool. Best of luck with the mod! Making stuff your own, especially functional changes like that, is so rewarding.
@@HardwareUnknown Thanks, the system is actually pretty cool czcams.com/video/0liTCerCceo/video.html
watching this on MDR-7506’s
Aren't they great? I use them for video chat, editing when I need that extra bit of clarity, and sometimes just because since they're comfortable.
the nub is there to lock the pot so that it doesn't spin the housing.
Aha! Thank you for that, I haven't used many of these and couldn't think of what it was for. So I assume then that it locks into an indent built into whatever casing it's being added to?
To add a male 3.5 connector to the shorted wire and not destroyed cap of headphones. It's easier )
You are funny boy. Thank 🤣
SHOUTOUT RIGHT TO REPAIR
The right to repair should have always existed and been protected from the beginning. It's our stuff, it saves resources, it teaches valuable skills, and so much more. The only thing it doesn't save is corporate profits. Too bad. Right to repair all the way.
Can I pay you to do the detachable cable mod for me?
Yes. E-mail "business@hardwareunknown.com" and let's talk.
6:55 Detachable Cord
I appreciate the section timestamp. I'm working on making my videos more succinct and to the point. Takes practice, and I'm constantly learning. Hope you enjoyed the mod.
@@HardwareUnknown good stuff 👍🏽
Thinking of doing this but kinda scared
It's a bit nerve-wracking modifying perfectly good stuff like this that you've paid good money for. Here's the thing, the disassembly and drilling is pretty straightforward. The part that takes some care is the soldering.
To get some practice first before doing the actual headphones, buy a cheap auxiliary headphone cable or find an old one, get some 3.5mm replacement jacks, cut the cable somewhere, and practice soldering the jacks on. When you feel confident, then you can move onto the headphones themselves. When you switch to them, practice a bit on the cable end you cut off first just to make sure it behaves the same as the first one. Doing things in stages is the way to go to build your skills.
You got this! Let me know if you have any questions along the way.
@@HardwareUnknown is it ok if I don't have the dremel tool
Yes. A dremel makes it easier as a rotating bit can help you carve small amounts of material away, but you can also use extra pressure on the side of a drill bit, a small file, or even a utility knife in cases where the material is soft like plastic (aim the blade away from your fingers and be careful it doesn't slip).
For this situation (since it's metal) I'd go with a drill bit for the initial hole and to widen it most of the way, then a small round file like the one in this set to deburr/smooth the edges: amzn.to/3devu1F
@@HardwareUnknown thanks, you earned a sub
I'll tell you when I do it.
I appreciate that, and please do. I'd like to hear how it goes. Let me know if you have any issues or need any other tool workarounds.
Warranties are overrated.
They totally are. Like what... you get a company to MAYBE replace a minor part while charging you exorbitant service fees? Or you can go against the warranty and make things suite your own unique needs. I'll take the latter.
@@HardwareUnknown As long as we take good care of our stuff, the probability for them to go wrong within warranty period is very low. I personally never care about warranties for cheaper or easy-to-fix products.
Exactly. As a kid I used to fret about voiding warranties even with cheap things. Then I realized it prevents you from learning a massive amount. Now, I'll buy things with the express purpose of immediately cutting into them. Feels great to make things yours.