Headstages
Plexon offers a variety of analog and digital headstages for various acute or chronic research needs that are suitable for both large and small animals. Headstages are available in various pitch, pin and channel counts. Additionally, headstages with 0.050 pitch input connectors can be modified to include latching mechanisms for a more secure connection, and most can be mounted with light emitting diodes (LEDs) to track movement.
**Learn about NEW 64 and the 128 high channel count digital headstages from Plexon. These headstages utilize novel Samtec connectors**
Headstages for High-Impedance Electrodes
Plexon’s headstages for high-impedance electrodes are designed to record spikes and field potentials from high impedance electrodes. They are available in 0.050” or 0.025” pitch, gains of 1x of 20x, from 8 channels and above, with a grounded or true reference, some with latching capability, and all with the LED option.
Most recently we launched our newest headstage products for this category: 16 and 32 channel digital headstages for use with the OmniPlex® D DHP subsystem. The headstages themselves are light weight, while the corresponding headstage cables are both lighter weight than their analog counterparts and contain fewer wires. The result is greater freedom of animal movement.
Headstages for Low-Impedance Electrodes
Plexon’s headstages for low-impedance electrodes are designed for evoked potentials, EMG recordings using needle electrodes, surface electrodes, and electrode caps. These are available with Omnetics 0.050” pitch or Harwin connectors, a 20x, 4 or 12 channels, a grounded reference and some offer latching capability.
The newest additions to this category are the biopotential headstages. One has been designed for peripheral nerve system (PNS) recording incorporating a 50x gain. The second is geared towards EEG, EKG and EMG recordings and offers a 10x gain.
Latching Option
More active animals may require an especially secure connection between the electrode implant and the headstage. Certain headstages are available with a special clipping (latching) mechanism that delivers this additional 
security.
The headstage shown is a 0.050” pitch, 8 channel headstage with the latching option (HST/8o50-G1-GR-L).
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Option
Most Plexon headstages can be equipped with mounted LEDs for use in behavioral analysis research with systems such as Plexon’s CinePlex® Behavioral Research System. LEDs are available in three colors: blue, green and red. 
One of each color is provided with the headstage when the LED option is purchased.
The headstage shown is a 0.025” pitch, 32 channel headstage with 2 LEDs (HST/32o25-36P-2LED)
The table below represents the most popular headstages requested by our customers; however, we are able to accommodate other needs as well. The most advantageous combinations of connectors, headstages and headstage cables for your specific research can be best determined with the assistance of your Plexon Sales Engineer.
Analog 0.050″ Pitch Headstages
| Pitch Channels Pins | Headstage Catalog Number** | Gain Dimensions*** Weight**** | LED Compatibility Latch Compatibility Additional Information |
| A 0.050” 8 channels 10 pins 2 guide pins |  HST/8o50-Gx-xR | 1x or 20x gain inches:0.96L x 0.64W x 0.077D mm: 24.4L x 16.3W x 1.9D grams:1.1 | LED: Up to 2 Latch: YesThis headstage is also available in stacked 16 and 32 channel configurations. Latch can be attached to either side of the headstage. |
Analog 0.025″ Pitch Headstages
| Pitch Channels Pins | Headstage Catalog Number* | Gain Dimensions*** Weight**** | LED Compatibility Latch Compatibility Additional Information |
| C2 0.025” 8 channels 9 pins 2 guide pins |  HST/8o25-GEN2-9P-G1-xR | 1x gain inches: 0.75L x 0.46W x 0.06D mm: 19.1L x 11.7W x 1.5D grams: 0.5 | LED: Up to 2 Latch: No |
| D2 0.025” 8 channels 10 pins 2 guide pins |  HST/8o25-GEN2-10P-G1-xR | 1x gain inches: 0.75L x 0.46W x 0.06D mm: 19.1L x 11.7W x 1.5D grams: 0.5 | LED: Up to 2 Latch: No |
| E2a 0.025” 16 channels 18 pins 2 guide pins |  HST/16o25-GEN2-18P-2GP-G1 | 1x gain inches: 0.74L x 0.46W x 0.09D mm: 18.8L x 11.7W x 2.3D grams: 0.6 | LED: Up to 2 Latch: No |
| E2b 0.025” 16 channels 18 pins 6 guide pins |  HST/16o25-GEN2-18P-6GP-G1 | 1x gain inches: 0.74L x 0.46W x 0.09D mm: 18.8L x 11.7W x 2.3D grams: 0.6 | LED: Up to 2 Latch: No |
| F3 0.025” 32 channels 36 pins 4 guide pins |  HST/32o25-GEN3-36P-G1 | 1x gain inches: 0.85L x 0.56W x 0.10D mm: 21.5L x 14.3W x 2.5D grams: 1.0 | LED: Up to 2 Latch: No |
| M 0.025” 96 channels 108 pins No guide pins |  HST/CereStage 96 | 1x gain inches: 1.1L x 1.55W x 0.43D mm: 27.9L x 39.4W x 10.9D grams: 8.1 | LED: No Latch: NoFor use with a Utah Array with an ICS style connector. |
Analog Biopotential Headstages
| Pitch Channels Pins | Headstage Catalog Number* | Gain Dimensions*** Weight**** | LED Compatibility Latch Compatibility Additional Information |
| N 0.049” 8 channels 20 pins No guide pins |  HST/8-BIOP-PNS | 50x gain inches: 1.40L x 0.91W x 0.20D mm: 35.5L x 23.1W x 5.0D grams: 3.6 | LED: No Latch: NoHeadstage for peripheral nerve recording. |
| P 0.049” 8 channels 20 pins No guide pins |  HST/8-BIOP-EDIF | 10x gain inches: 1.40L x 0.91W x 0.20D mm: 35.5L x 23.1W x 5.0D grams: 3.6 | LED: No Latch: NoHeadstage for EMG, EEG or EKG recording. |
Digital 0.050” Pitch Headstages
| Pitch Channels Pins | Headstage Catalog Number* | Gain Dimensions*** Weight**** | LED Compatibility Latch Compatibility Additional Information |
| L 0.050 8 channels 10 pins 2 guide pins |  HST/8o50D Gen2 | N/A gain inches: 1.08L x 0.62W x 0.09D mm: 27.4L x 15.8W x 2.3D grams: 1.2 | LED: Up to 3 Latch: YesThis headstage is also available in a 16 channel configuration. |
Digital 0.025″ Pitch Headstages
| Pitch Channels Pins | Headstage Catalog Number* | Gain Dimensions*** Weight**** | LED Compatibility Latch Compatibility Additional Information |
| Q2 0.025” 16 channels 18 pins 6 guide pins |  HST/16D Gen2 | N/A gain inches: 1.00L x 0.51W x 0.10D mm: 25.4L x 13.0W x 2.5D grams: 1.0 | LED: Up to 3 Latch: No |
| R 0.025” 32 channels 36 pins 4 guide pins |  HST/32D | N/A gain inches: 0.97L x 0.52W x 0.10D mm: 24.6L x 13.2W x 2.5D grams: 1.1 | LED: Up to 3 Latch: No |
| S 0.025” 64 channels 72 pins 8 guide pins |  HST/64D-xR | N/A gain inches: 1.02L x 0.55W x 0.18D mm: 25.9L x 14.0W x 4.6D grams: 1.8 | LED: Up to 3 Latch: No |
| T 0.025” 16 channels 36 pins 4 guide pins | HST/16D Gen2 DIFF | N/A gain inches: 0.97L x 0.52W x 0.10D mm: 24.6L x 13.2W x 2.5D grams: 1.1 | LED: Up to 3 Latch: No |
Digital Stimulating Headstages
| Channels Pins | Headstage Catalog Number* | Gain Dimensions** Weight*** | LED Compatibility Latch Compatibility Additional Information |
| ST 0.025” 12 channels 16 pins 0 guide pins |  HST/12-NLT | N/A gain inches: 0.67L x 0.39W x 0.18D mm: 17L x 10W x 4.5D grams: 0.8 | LED: NeuroLight Optoelectrode Latch: No |
Digital Samtec Headstages
| Channels Pins | Headstage Catalog Number* | Gain Dimensions** Weight*** | LED Compatibility Latch Compatibility Additional Information |
| U 64 channels 72 pins 4 reference pins 4 ground pins |  HST/64DS | N/A gain inches: 0.47L x 0.55W x 0.61D mm: 12L x 14W x 15.5D grams: 1.45 | LED: Up to 2 Latch: No Additional Information:
|
| V 128 channels 160 pins 16 reference pins 16 ground pins |  HST/128DS Gen 1 | N/A gain inches: 0.83L x 0.47W x 0.39D mm: 21L x 12W x 10D grams: 1.75 | LED: Up to 2 Latch: No Additional Information:
|
| V2 128 channels 160 pins 16 reference pins 16 ground pins |  HST/128DS Gen 2 | N/A gain inches: 0.83L x 0.47W x 0.39D mm: 21L x 12W x 10D grams: 1.75 | LED: Up to 2 Latch: No Additional Information:
|
**The x in the catalog numbers represent variable options.*Image size: please note that product images below are not to scale relative to either actual size or to each other.
***Product dimensions: headstage lengths include the longest pin; the addition of either a latch and/or LEDs can increase the dimensions listed below slightly.
****Product weights: headstage weights may vary ever so slightly due to the hand-crafted nature of the products; the addition of either a latch and/or LEDs can also impact the weights listed below slightly.
Guides and How To Papers
For 8, 16, 32 and 96 Channel Analog Headstages
For 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 Channel Digital Headstages
Technical Specs and Data Sheets