Ovni Labs Audio Cable Analysis
http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/cablechoice.shtml
Audio Cable Analysis
I always look at the cable market as a sucker-trap. Of course, going dirt cheap is never the way to go, but there are so many overpriced cables that, even if the did what the claim to, are still only 1 link in a chain. I always find it remarkable when someone insists on hand-wired, gold-plated, blah-blah-twisted, cables and connectors to run between machine-soldered, low-ball components. And not just intrument cables, TV stereo, you name it, there's someone trying to sell you a pile of BS.
Personally, I won't buy the absolute low-end, but the I think the High-end cables are pointless.
Personally, I won't buy the absolute low-end, but the I think the High-end cables are pointless.
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tornandfrayed
- Diamond Member
- Posts: 1761
- Joined: Tuesday Dec 23, 2003
- Location: The Jaded Empire
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May I introduce to you...
For any of you out there who ever need to buy cables...
May I introduce to you..
http://www.monoprice.com/products/searc ... r%20cables
Monoprice, For those of you who know it, do you agree?
May I introduce to you..
http://www.monoprice.com/products/searc ... r%20cables
Monoprice, For those of you who know it, do you agree?
Torn & Frayed
One World, One Voice, One God!
Music is LIFE!
One World, One Voice, One God!
Music is LIFE!
Monster Cables. Kinda expensive up front - lifetime warranty. Been playing most of my life - only ever had to replace them once, and that's only because I lost the receipt. That said, I would like to state, for the purpose of argument- there are a variety of alternatives; I'm just sharing what's worked best for me.
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Gallowglass
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- Location: Hlidskjalf
Interesting thread. I noticed the Planet Waves stuff got pretty crappy scores in the handling noise categories. I really agree with that. I got a couple of them awhile ago and really noticed every time I move them or sometimes even step on them, you can hear it. I was pretty disappointed. I've never heard a cable that was worse for that particular quality.
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bassist_25
- Senior Member
- Posts: 6815
- Joined: Monday Dec 09, 2002
- Location: Indiana
+1Jasaoke wrote:I always look at the cable market as a sucker-trap. Of course, going dirt cheap is never the way to go, but there are so many overpriced cables that, even if the did what the claim to, are still only 1 link in a chain. I always find it remarkable when someone insists on hand-wired, gold-plated, blah-blah-twisted, cables and connectors to run between machine-soldered, low-ball components. And not just intrument cables, TV stereo, you name it, there's someone trying to sell you a pile of BS.
Personally, I won't buy the absolute low-end, but the I think the High-end cables are pointless.
There is a lot of snake oil in the pro cable industry. My favorites are the 9v power cables that go for $1000+.
Aren't there special rocks that you can buy for your stereo speakers too, that are supposed to realign the frequencies in the room or some other bullshit? I'm very rough on cables, which is something of a source of comedy in my band. IME, a good 20' instrument cable costs about $25 - $30. Anything more is money thrown away on marketing hype. Of course, YMMV.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
Bah!
Don't waste your money on cables. The only thing to look for in a cable is the build quality, flexibility, and wire gauge.
Low oxygen, directional, hocus-pocus B.S. is just that - B.S.
I recommend that people just build their own cables. Quality microphone, instrument, and speaker cable is not hard to find. Buy Neutrik ends and you will have no problems with years of life.
I had a lot of problems with cable failures early on... At one point I got so fed up I bough 1500 feet of mic cable, 500 feet of speaker cable, and 500 feet of power cable and built all my own. The failure rate dropped dramatically.
Learning how to make cables also means you'll be good at repairing them, ensuring years of life and no show stoppers. I carry a pencil iron in the truck (usually) and I've done lots of field repairs in a pinch.
A note about guitar cables in general. Make sure you buy real guitar cable. Guitar cable should be single conductor coaxial cable (one center conductor with a spiral or braided shield). It SHOULD NOT be two conductor twisted pair (often used for cables with RCA jacks or sometimes for keyboard TRS cables, i.e. balanced). The source impedance of a guitar is typically very very high... in the 100,000 to 1M Ohm region. Using the wrong cable can dull the sound because of the capacitance of the cable and the high source impedance of a guitar pickup. Look for coaxial cables with stranded pure copper cores (no tin) and a polyethylene jacket. That will give you low capacitance and good flexibility.
For microphone cables you want two conductor twisted pair with a spiral or braided shield. Capacitance is less of an issue here because the source impedance of a microphone is in the 100 Ohm region. However, if you want your mic cables to double use for DMX lighting or AES digital, low capacitance is again necessary.
As for spiral vs. braided shield. Lots of people will tell you braided is better, and it is. Basically it is more resistant to interference from other things. However, it's a bitch to work with if you are making or repairing cables. I recommend spiral shield because you can make cables a lot faster with it, and 99% of the time if there is interference or noise (not talking 60hz AC buzz/hum) you can get rid of it by moving the cable away from large metal objects by just a few inches or a foot or so.
If you have problems with noise from AC ground loops, there is probably a bigger issue with the grounding of the electrical system or the grounding of your gear. Cables typically are not the culprit, but do expose these flaws.
Don't waste your money on cables. The only thing to look for in a cable is the build quality, flexibility, and wire gauge.
Low oxygen, directional, hocus-pocus B.S. is just that - B.S.
I recommend that people just build their own cables. Quality microphone, instrument, and speaker cable is not hard to find. Buy Neutrik ends and you will have no problems with years of life.
I had a lot of problems with cable failures early on... At one point I got so fed up I bough 1500 feet of mic cable, 500 feet of speaker cable, and 500 feet of power cable and built all my own. The failure rate dropped dramatically.
Learning how to make cables also means you'll be good at repairing them, ensuring years of life and no show stoppers. I carry a pencil iron in the truck (usually) and I've done lots of field repairs in a pinch.
A note about guitar cables in general. Make sure you buy real guitar cable. Guitar cable should be single conductor coaxial cable (one center conductor with a spiral or braided shield). It SHOULD NOT be two conductor twisted pair (often used for cables with RCA jacks or sometimes for keyboard TRS cables, i.e. balanced). The source impedance of a guitar is typically very very high... in the 100,000 to 1M Ohm region. Using the wrong cable can dull the sound because of the capacitance of the cable and the high source impedance of a guitar pickup. Look for coaxial cables with stranded pure copper cores (no tin) and a polyethylene jacket. That will give you low capacitance and good flexibility.
For microphone cables you want two conductor twisted pair with a spiral or braided shield. Capacitance is less of an issue here because the source impedance of a microphone is in the 100 Ohm region. However, if you want your mic cables to double use for DMX lighting or AES digital, low capacitance is again necessary.
As for spiral vs. braided shield. Lots of people will tell you braided is better, and it is. Basically it is more resistant to interference from other things. However, it's a bitch to work with if you are making or repairing cables. I recommend spiral shield because you can make cables a lot faster with it, and 99% of the time if there is interference or noise (not talking 60hz AC buzz/hum) you can get rid of it by moving the cable away from large metal objects by just a few inches or a foot or so.
If you have problems with noise from AC ground loops, there is probably a bigger issue with the grounding of the electrical system or the grounding of your gear. Cables typically are not the culprit, but do expose these flaws.
"Turn it down!"
"What?"
"What?"