Connecting a Probe Package to a Headstage: Which Adapter
Name the connector on your probe package and the input on your headstage; the table gives the adapter configuration that joins them, or says none is needed.
15 min read
Updated October 15, 2026
An adapter is needed when a probe package terminates in a connector the headstage or acquisition system does not accept. Name the two connectors, the package side and the headstage side, and read the pairing from the tables below. Most pairings are one configuration of the NeuroNexus Connector-Pair Adapter; a remap adapter changes which pin carries which channel, so confirm the site-to-channel map before the first recording.
Research use only. NeuroNexus products are for non-clinical research use and must not be used in human or veterinary medical procedures.
How do I find the adapter I need?#
Start from the package, not the probe. Every NeuroNexus package terminates in one connector family, named in the package code and on its datasheet: A16 is a DIP-16 Mill-Max connector, A32 a Samtec 40-pin, A64 two Samtec 40, OM16, OM32 and OM64 are Omnetics nano connectors with 16, 32 and 64 channels, Z16, Z32 and Z64 are Hirose ZIF connectors for TDT ZIF-Clip headstages, and CQ4 and Q4 are the edge connectors on Q-Trode packages. The third table below lists which package families terminate in which connector.
Then name the input on the headstage or system. A NeuroNexus SmartLink ↗ headstage takes the package connectors of its channel count directly: SmartLink 16 takes DIP-16, Omnetics 16 and ZIF 16; SmartLink 32 takes Omnetics 32 and A32 (Samtec 40); SmartLink 64 takes two Omnetics 32 or A64. An X-Series ↗ headstage takes its X3, X3SR or X6 connector and, on the X3R and X6R models, Omnetics 32. A third-party system takes its own input.
If the package connector is an input of the headstage, the cell says direct and no adapter is needed. Otherwise the cell names the adapter ↗ configuration that joins them, written as the output it presents; the input is the row. On the Connector-Pair Adapter ↗ product page, choose that input and output and the configuration is the item you quote. Where a cell says "+n more", other configurations also join the pair, usually 2× outputs, surface-mount or MRI-conditional builds; the product page lists them all.
Which adapter joins a NeuroNexus package to a NeuroNexus headstage?#
Rows are package connectors; columns are the NeuroNexus and X-Series headstages. A cell gives the SKU of the adapter configuration that joins them (the row is its input, so the SKU names both ends), (+n) when more configurations make the same join, or direct. The SKU is the search key: the same string finds the configuration in the adapter datasheet, in a quote and in NetSuite.
| Package connector | SmartLink 16 | SmartLink 32 | SmartLink 64 | Kontex NP Headstage | X3R 32 | X3R 64 | X3SR 32 | X3SR 64 | X6R 128 | XeR 32 | XeR 64 | XeSR 16 | XeSR 32 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2× MRI Omnetics 16-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2× MRI Omnetics 32-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2× Micro HDMI | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2× Molex 34 (EIB) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2× Omnetics 16-pin | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om16_2x.om32 (+1) | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om16_2x.om32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2× Omnetics 32-pin | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om32_2x.a64.sm [sites-unconnected: 32 of 64] | direct | — | — | direct | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2× Samtec 40-pin | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a64.a32.x2 [sites-unconnected: 32 of 64] | direct | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a64.omnetics32x2 (+1) | — | adpt_xsr--pair.a64.x3_64 | — | — | adpt_xsr--pair.a64.x3_64 | — | — |
| 2× ZIF 16 (Hirose) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2× ZIF 32 (Hirose) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3× Panasonic 96 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | direct | — | — | — | — |
| 3× Samtec 40-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 4× Omnetics 32-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | direct | — | — | — | — |
| CQ4 | adpt_nnx--pair.cq4.a16 (+7) [channels-unused: 12 of 16] | adpt_nnx--pair.cq4.om32 (+3) [channels-unused: 28 of 32] | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.cq4.om32 (+1) [channels-unused: 28 of 32] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| DIP 16-pin | direct | adpt_nnx--pair.a16.om32 (+1) [channels-unused: 16 of 32] | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a16.om32 [channels-unused: 16 of 32] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hirose 64-pin | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.z64.om32.x2 (+1) | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.z64.om32.x2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MRI Omnetics 16-pin | direct | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MRI Omnetics 32-pin | — | direct | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MRI Omnetics 42-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Micro HDMI | — | — | — | — | direct [sites-unconnected: 32 of 256] | direct [sites-unconnected: 64 of 256] | direct [sites-unconnected: 32 of 256] | direct [sites-unconnected: 64 of 256] | direct [sites-unconnected: 128 of 256] | direct [sites-unconnected: 32 of 256] | direct [sites-unconnected: 64 of 256] | direct [sites-unconnected: 16 of 256] | direct [sites-unconnected: 32 of 256] |
| Omnetics 12-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Omnetics 16-pin | direct | adpt_nnx--pair.om16.om32 (+1) [channels-unused: 16 of 32] | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om16.om32 [channels-unused: 16 of 32] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Omnetics 32-pin | adpt_nnx--pair.om32.om16 [sites-unconnected: 16 of 32] | direct | adpt_nnx--pair.om32.a64 [channels-unused: 32 of 64] | — | direct | — | adpt_xsr--pair.om32.x3_32 (+2) | — | — | adpt_xsr--pair.om32.x3_32 (+2) | — | adpt_xsr--pair.om32.x3_32 (+2) [sites-unconnected: 16 of 32] | adpt_xsr--pair.om32.x3_32 (+2) |
| Q4 edge | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Samtec 40-pin | adpt_nnx--pair.a32.a16 (+1) [sites-unconnected: 16 of 32] | direct | adpt_nnx--pair.a32.a64.female [channels-unused: 32 of 64] | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a32.om32 (+1) | — | adpt_xsr--pair.a32.x3_32 | — | — | adpt_xsr--pair.a32.x3_32 | — | adpt_xsr--pair.a32.x3_32 [sites-unconnected: 16 of 32] | adpt_xsr--pair.a32.x3_32 |
| Samtec 50 (SiNAPS) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Samtec SEAF8 80-position | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| X3-16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| X3-32 | — | — | — | — | direct | — | direct | — | — | direct | — | direct [sites-unconnected: 16 of 32] | direct |
| X3-64 | — | — | — | — | — | direct | — | direct | — | — | direct | — | — |
| ZIF 16 (Hirose) | direct | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ZIF 32 (Hirose) | adpt_nnx--pair.z32.om16 [sites-unconnected: 16 of 32] | adpt_nnx--pair.z32.om32 (+1) | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.z32.om32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| n/a | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Every cell where the package's sites and the headstage's channels do not match carries a flag in a fixed form, so a reader and the Oaks agent read the same thing:
[sites-unconnected: a of b]— the headstage records a of the package's b sites; the other b − a sites are not recorded. Omnetics 32 → Omnetics 16 onto a SmartLink 16 is[sites-unconnected: 16 of 32].[channels-unused: a of b]— a of the headstage's b channels have no site on them; every site is recorded, and the spare channels are idle. An A16 package onto an X3R 32 is[channels-unused: 16 of 32].
A cell with no flag connects every site to its own channel. Choose the headstage whose channel count matches the package unless the experiment needs only part of the array or the headstage is shared with another package. Packages with several connectors, a 64-site Hybrid on two Omnetics 32 for example, mate one headstage or adapter per connector.
Which adapter joins a NeuroNexus package to a third-party system?#
The same rows against the inputs of other acquisition systems. The Omnetics 32 and Omnetics 16 columns cover any headstage with an Omnetics input, including Open Ephys and Intan RHD headstages on Omnetics connectors.
| Package connector | Intan RHD eval | Intan RHD eval (2×) | Blackrock Cerebus | A-M Systems | BrainAmp | BrainAmp (MRI) | Plexon (4× 8-pin) | TDT ZIF-Clip 16 | TDT ZIF-Clip 32 | TDT ZIF-Clip 64 | Omnetics 32 headstages (Open Ephys and others) | Omnetics 16 headstages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2× Omnetics 16-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om16_2x.om32 | — |
| 2× Omnetics 32-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om32_2x.z64.sm | — | — |
| 2× Samtec 40-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a64.z64 | — | — |
| CQ4 | — | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.q4.amsystem | — | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.cq4.z16 (+1) | adpt_nnx--pair.cq4.z32 (+1) | — | adpt_nnx--pair.cq4.om32 (+1) | adpt_nnx--pair.cq4.om16 (+2) |
| DIP 16-pin | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a16.blackrock | — | — | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a16.z16 | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a16.om32 | adpt_nnx--pair.a16.om16 |
| Hirose 64-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | direct | — | — |
| Micro HDMI | — | — | adpt_nnx--matrix.hdmtx128.cerebus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Omnetics 16-pin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om16.z16 | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om16.om32 | direct |
| Omnetics 32-pin | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om32.blackrock | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om32.brainamp.mr | adpt_nnx--pair.om32.pl8.x4 | — | adpt_nnx--pair.om32.z32 | — | direct | adpt_nnx--pair.om32.om16 |
| Samtec 40-pin | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a32.blackrock | — | — | — | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a32.z32 | — | adpt_nnx--pair.a32.om32 | adpt_nnx--pair.a32.om16 |
| ZIF 16 (Hirose) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | direct | — | — | — | adpt_nnx--pair.z16.om16 |
| ZIF 32 (Hirose) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | direct | adpt_nnx--pair.z32.z64 | adpt_nnx--pair.z32.om32 | adpt_nnx--pair.z32.om16 |
Which package families terminate in which connector?#
| Package connector | Channels | Package families |
|---|---|---|
| 2× MRI Omnetics 16-pin | 32 | Hybrid |
| 2× MRI Omnetics 32-pin | 64 | Hybrid |
| 2× Micro HDMI | 128 | Matrix Array |
| 2× Molex 34 (EIB) | 64 | EIB-64 |
| 2× Omnetics 16-pin | 32 | Fusion, Hybrid |
| 2× Omnetics 32-pin | 64 | Fusion, Hybrid, Matrix Array, Vector |
| 2× Samtec 40-pin | 64 | A-Series |
| 2× ZIF 16 (Hirose) | 16, 32 | Hybrid, Vector, ZIF |
| 2× ZIF 32 (Hirose) | 32 | Hybrid, Vector, ZIF |
| 3× Panasonic 96 | 128 | X-Series |
| 3× Samtec 40-pin | 96 | A-Series |
| 4× Omnetics 32-pin | 128 | A-Series, Fusion, Hybrid, Matrix Array |
| CQ4 | 4 | Hybrid, Q-Trode |
| DIP 16-pin | 16 | A-Series, Drug Delivery |
| Hirose 64-pin | 64 | Hybrid, ZIF |
| MRI Omnetics 16-pin | 16 | CM, Hybrid |
| MRI Omnetics 32-pin | 32 | CM, Hybrid |
| MRI Omnetics 42-pin | 40 | DBS |
| Micro HDMI | 64, 128, 256 | Activus, Matrix Array |
| Omnetics 12-pin | 64, 128 | Activus |
| Omnetics 16-pin | 16 | CM, Drug Delivery, Hybrid, Vector |
| Omnetics 32-pin | 32 | CM, DBS, Hybrid, Vector |
| Q4 edge | 4 | Q-Trode |
| Samtec 40-pin | 32 | A-Series |
| Samtec 50 (SiNAPS) | 256, 1024 | Activus SiNAPS |
| Samtec SEAF8 80-position | 64 | CM |
| X3-16 | 16 | X-Series |
| X3-32 | 32 | X-Series |
| X3-64 | 64 | X-Series |
| ZIF 16 (Hirose) | 16 | Hybrid |
| ZIF 32 (Hirose) | 32 | Hybrid |
| n/a | 4, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 | EIB-64, Hybrid, Matrix Array, Q-Trode, Vector, oth |
X-Series packages terminate in X3-16, X3-32, X3-64 or Panasonic 96 and mate the matching X-Series headstage directly. Activus SiNAPS packages terminate in the Samtec 50 ribbon-cable connector and connect through the SiNAPS interface box to the Smartbox; there is no headstage and no adapter. Matrix and MAV packages terminate in micro-HDMI; the High-Density Matrix adapter ↗ breaks that out to four or eight Omnetics 32, ZIF 64 or a Blackrock Cerebus input. An EIB-32 electrode interface board mounts to an X3 or X3SR headstage through the EIB32 rail adapter, and EIB-16 and EIB-32 boards join M1P probe connectors through the EIB-to-M1 adapter, both under X-Series adapters ↗.
Why must the channel map be confirmed through an adapter?#
A remap adapter wires pin to pin between two connector types, and the two types may number their pins differently. The site-to-channel map on the headstage side of the adapter is therefore typically not the map on the package drawing, and nothing in the physical fit shows the difference. Before the first use, the site-to-channel mapping must be derived.
- NeuroNexus has the mappings for common pairings. Contact us for additional information.
- The easiest solution for mapping and component connectivity complexities is to use the Radiens software platform, which handles this type of complex mapping automatically via user-selectable built-in models of headstage-adapter combinations.
What if no cell matches?#
Ask an Application Scientist with the two connector names and the channel count; a pairing not in the catalog is built as a custom electrode interface board or adapter. The MRI Omnetics 42 connector on DBS packages, Omnetics 12 on AVX packages and the Samtec SEAF8 on 64-channel CM packages have no catalog adapter; ask about the headstage or system each is built for.