Preferred cables?

[rapfohl09]

Hey all, not sure if this belongs here or in The Rig, but whatever.

What do you guys use for cables/patch cables? I have used the same random assortment for forever. Have you guys found that some of the top dollar options actually make a difference?

Just wanting to start a discussion, so go!

 

[Timmsie95]

I will always use Spectraflex cables. They're a bit pricey, but not as bad as others, and they do make a difference in my opinion. The tone is improved, and there is less noise coming through. I have the "Fatso-Flex" and I love it. They're extremely durable, too.

 

[mayfly]

I always make them myself.  Canare cable, Neutrik ends.

 

[rapfohl09]

Whats with the Neutrik ends?

Also, am I safe in assuming cables don't deteriorate over time if they are taken care of?

 

[mayfly]

IMHO they are better that switchcraft.  Yes if you take care of your cables they will last forever.  The only ones that I've replaced was for damage.

P.S. Learn to counter coil your cables. 

 

[Cagey]

I also make my own using Mogami cable (super flexible, low capacitance) and Neutrik ends (mechanically robust w/ soldered connections). I know a couple guys that are pretty picky who use George L's products, which get consistently high reviews for signal quality, but I'm not a fan of insulation displacement connectors.

 

[Logrinn]

P.S. Learn to counter coil your cables.

Meaning?

 

[Cagey]

How to wrap a cable properly...

[youtube]B2SUoAvGxVs[/youtube]

If you do it this way, you'll not only save your cable's life, when you unwrap it it'll lay out nice and flat. You can basically hold one end of the cable and throw the rest of the coils away from you, and it'll just dispense itself cleanly.

 

[Logrinn]

Awesome!
I did not know this.

Now it seems so logical!

Thanks!

 

[Cagey]

Once you get used to doing it that way and reaping the benefits of doing so, you'll cringe every time you see somebody else doing it wrong :laughing7:

Or, you could go wireless. Some of the better units are so good now that it freaks guys out when they find out what their cabling has been doing to their tone. Have to readjust their amps/presets/effects to compensate for getting a good signal. For the militantly stuck in the past types, some of the better wireless units even have adjustments available to deliberately deteriorate your signal so it'll sound more like you're hooked up with a cable.

But, you'll still have speaker and power cables to deal with, so learning to coil them up properly is a Good Thing.

 

[line6man]

Also, am I safe in assuming cables don't deteriorate over time if they are taken care of?

Buy or make cables with gold plated connectors. I say this, not because there are any tonal benefits (as many companies would like you to believe), but because gold can stand the test of time, without corrosion.

 

[Re-Pete]

How to wrap a cable properly...

[youtube]B2SUoAvGxVs[/youtube]

If you do it this way, you'll not only save your cable's life, when you unwrap it it'll lay out nice and flat. You can basically hold one end of the cable and throw the rest of the coils away from you, and it'll just dispense itself cleanly.

I have cables that have lasted over 25 years now. I learnt to coil cable in a recording engineer course in 1980s. Mind you, I am no using my home studio professionally, nor am I out gigging. So they get a pampered life!