Cables

[Doll]

I need to buy a cable, and I'm not exactly sure what to get. What would you all say is the best?

[Seafroggys]

Rca.

[Doll]

Also, what is the difference between instrument cables and audio cables?

[Mispeled]

Get monster cables, they have a lifetime warrantee, but you won't ever need it (I've never had one short or anything).

And I think instrument cables generally only refers to quarter inch cables, while audio cables can be any kind of cable that carries audio: quarter inch, XLR (microphone cables), RCA, etc.

[The Chemist]

Do NOT buy Monster Cables. Way overpriced.

Get Mogami.

[Happy_Squirrel]

I agree w/ Chemist: you can't go wrong with Mogami.

[Motleyguy]

I need to buy a cable, and I'm not exactly sure what to get. What would you all say is the best?

I don't wanna be a dick. But maybe you could let us know what the cable is going to be used for. And there is no difference between instrument cables and audio cables. They're the same, they both carry audio signal. The "instrument" cable you're thinking of is most likely a cable with a 1/4" TS Jack(Tip Sleeve, which means in a nut shell, two connection points, it is unbalanced). Microphone cables have an XLR jack, it has 3 pins, one is for grounding, the other two carry the +/- sides of the audio signal. XLR cables are balanced. You can also get Balanced 1/4" cables, called TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) these have 3 connection points. Another cable is one with a TT jack (Tini Telephone). These are small cables used in patch bays in professional recording studios. Those are all cables used in professional audio.

Then there is consumer audio cables like RCA and what not. If you're wondering about brands, I don't have much information for you, but it is true, Monster cables are horribly overpriced.

[Seafroggys]

I use fairly generic XLR cables, and they too have a lifetime warranty :D

[Motleyguy]

Yeah, for a little home setup, especially when you're inexperienced. The brand/quality of the cables isn't going to make a very noticeable difference to you, provided you are using at least a decent quality cable. Don't go for something that's like $5 for a 20' or something.

[naut]

Do NOT buy Monster Cables. Way overpriced.

Get Mogami.

everything's overpriced.

if you're not lazy and have basic soldering skills then you can make a cable on par with Monster, Mogami, etc. for less then ten bucks. :-/

[Moseph]

everything's overpriced.

if you're not lazy and have basic soldering skills then you can make a cable on par with Monster, Mogami, etc. for less then ten bucks. :-/

Somebody did the math once. To break even you'd need to put together more than 30 cables totalling more than 1000 ft. in length. It's probably cheaper to purchase for most home users.

[naut]

i don't understand what you mean. break even for what?

[EADGC]

i don't understand what you mean. break even for what?

To cover the cost of your materials I'm guessing

[naut]

i still don't get it though...i just said the materials are less then ten bucks.

[Moseph]

i still don't get it though...i just said the materials are less then ten bucks.

You can get a mic cable manufactured using Neutrik connectors and Star Quad cable for about $10 (sometimes $7 if you know where to look).

You can't get the components for that cheap. Neutrik connectors alone are about $2.50-4.00 a piece (and there's 2 connectors per cable). Factor in the solder and soldering tools, and you've spent like $35 for a single cable.

Buying in bulk is what offsets this, since the per item cost goes down for connectors, the per foot cost goes down for cabling, and you're getting a stronger return on your investment in tools. The problem is that "bulk" packages are often groups of 12, 20 or even 50 connectors, and bulk cable is generally sold in spools of 100, 250, 500, or 1000 feet.


Like I said, if you do the math, it makes more sense to save yourself the effort in the short term.

[naut]

eh, i get my connectors for $5 (two) and my cable for 60¢/ft. so it costs me about 12 dollars to make one. granted it's only a 10 foot cable, (all i need), but aren't Mogami 15 foots with Neutrik connectors like...45 dollars? also, i don't buy soldering wire and a new iron every time i make a cable. :amaze:

[Moseph]

eh, i get my connectors for $5 (two) and my cable for 60¢/ft. so it costs me about 12 dollars to make one. granted it's only a 10 foot cable, (all i need), but aren't Mogami 15 foots with Neutrik connectors like...45 dollars?

I honestly don't even know anymore. What I do know is that Neutrik connectors are my preference (best strain relief, easiest to make/repair), and it's about $6 for a pair of connectors to make the cable.

Also, where do you purchase 10 feet of audio cable at $0.60/ft? The lowest dermarcation I'm aware of was a spool of 100 ft.

EDIT: I just checked Markertek, and they'll sell by the foot. However, the shipping still drives the price up quite a bit. I guess my local shops just don't deal in very small quantities of raw cable. My bad.

also, i don't buy soldering wire and a new iron every time i make a cable. :amaze:

Yeah, but so far in this thread we're talking about a single cable. If you assume you just want one single cable, then you've still got to buy the tools. Again, like I said, the initial investment hurts a lot less once you start dealing dozens of cables (or exceptionally long cables I guess).

[Happy_Squirrel]

but aren't Mogami 15 foots with Neutrik connectors like...45 dollars?

It depends on what quality/series you're looking for. Their silver line is $20 for a 25 ft cable : http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mogami-Silver-Series-Microphone-Cable?sku=339037

But yes, you're right that a 15 ft gold mogami cable with neutrik connections is $45 for 15 ft:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mogami-Gold-Neglex-Quad-Mic-Cable-for-Studio-Neutrik-XLR?sku=338010

[EADGC]

I honestly don't even know anymore. What I do know is that Neutrik connectors are my preference (best strain relief, easiest to make/repair), and it's about $6 for a pair of connectors to make the cable.

Also, where do you purchase 10 feet of audio cable at $0.60/ft? The lowest dermarcation I'm aware of was a spool of 100 ft.


I used to work at a pro audio and lighting store, we had spools in the back we would just cut from, and charged by the foot.

I don't think it's common for stores to do this though.

[naut]

Also, where do you purchase 10 feet of audio cable at $0.60/ft?

local store here in Austin. like eadgc said though perhaps it's just not that common.

[EADGC]

There's only 1 store in my hometown that sells it, to my knowledge.

[iamjoe2]

I need to buy a cable, and I'm not exactly sure what to get. What would you all say is the best?

the cheapest ones you can find...



that work.