what cables?

[host]

I need to buy a few ~2m cables that cost not more than 10$ / 10? each to connect my synths, mixer, monitors & PC and was wondering what brands should I look for? so far all I`ve found in my local shops are Cordial, Klotz and Tasker .. any opinions, is there something I should be aware of?

[Merlot]

dont know if they sell them in the UK, but I use livewire cables. Good luck.
But for that price you are not leaving yourself much of an option.

[Khazul]

UK? Which bit of croatia is in the UK?


:wink:

I personally make my own - nearest branded cables with the same connectors and similar quality balaced cable are probably the lynx professional range of studio cables.

For the number I need and the custom connections it has saved me alot of money.

For the small number of guitar and mic cables I use the sturdier planet-waves instrument or mic cables that are suitable for stage type abuse.

For midi cables - I use the cheapo lynx range - just because that whats the dealer I normally use typically has.

[Tomer=Trance]

for that money you wont get anything better then cheap cables which will wear out quickly.

if your any good at making your own cables or know someone who has these skills i would suggest geting a combo of nuetrik plugs and klotz or mogami cables. it will cost you the same amount of money buying a cheap ready made cable at your local store but the quality is totaly is superb,
high end may i say? :wink:

[Merlot]

UK? Which bit of croatia is in the UK?


Sorry, the crack I had this morning was intense!! :wink: :lol:

[host]

UK? Which bit of croatia is in the UK?


Sorry, the crack I had this morning was intense!! :wink: :lol:
Well if anything that should be a compliment for my English ..

All of these stores offer me to choose parts and will make me those kind of cables I need without any extra charge, no need for getting myself into that. I`m planning to buy some gear next week in a huuuge music shop with Cordial and Klotz cables only, they have a dedicated room just for cables and since these are the only brands in there these should be alright just have to choose parts within my price range.

1.So Klotz or Cordial? [I know that PlanetWaves would be a better solution but that`s just not my reality]
2.Are gold plated connectors necessary? [my logic tells me yes]

[jasedee]

I use a combination of Klotz cabel and Neutrik connectors....I have had no problems so far. I dont know of the other brand you mention, but I can vouch for Klotz...

I dont think Gold Connectors are necessary, but if you can afford it, heck, why not!

[Gopal]

Planetwaves makes a couple ranges. One very expensive (coloured ones) and the much more affordable black ones. (obviously I can't remember what these ranges are called.

I have some of both and swear by solderless connectors. However, I can't hear any benefit in teh more expensive ones. I'm gonna kit the rest of my studio with solderless but affordable planetwaves stuff :D

Every other cable I have bought has some noise or crackle when you move it and some pick up interference. (Not that I have tried any of the ones being endorsed above).

In my experience, when it comes to cables, spend a little bit more than you want to and you'll be set for a long time. Don't spend enough and you'll have headaches for a long time. No need to go over the top though.

[Khazul]

I wouldnt use planet waves for general studio cables - they are too hard (and expensive). They are really intended as stage cables - for which they are very good.

For guitar leads they are great due to the cut-off switches you can get built into some of them and they are sturdy enough to take being trodden on, run over by equipment/chair castors etc.

[Timo]

Anywhere that sells decent day-glo/florescent coloured cables? Fancied something a bit different, as well as the colour coding making it easier to see which cable goes to what outboard/synths/etc. going from/to the console.

Will be going the "make your own" cables route too, as buying them pre-made elsewhere is a complete rip off. (And restrictive, if you want custom lengths of cable).

[Khazul]

Van Damme cable (which is what I generally use) come in a range of different colours. (Red, Blue, Black, Yellow I think)

I generally buy the parts from Radio Spares or Maplin in bulk - 100m reels of cable and 25+ connectors to get the price reductions.

I also bought one of the those cheap Dymo labelling machines to wrap sticky labels around each end, then make up the cable bundles to the various main stands and racks tied up with velcro ties.

The long runs (approx 6m, with 30 or so cables) under my desk sits in 2m length 80mm platic guttering attached to the metal framework of my desk. Keeps it all tidy. If running near computers, monitors etc, then the other advantage of using a drain pipe or gettering is its easy to foil wrap and earth the foil to give you additional emr shielding from the computers, monitors etc. The DVI video leads tend to be the worst problem.


If you need to buy assembly gear (soldering iron, strippers, cutters etc) then get a decent temp controlled iron - it will save you from over heating the cables and melting through the sleaves and/or oxidising the joints. Also after buying gear - will probably take quite alot of cables before you break even, but you gain the flexibility of being able to make cables to exactly suit your needs and make them on demand - ie when a mate wants to plug something wierd in for eg :)

[F5D]

I always buy the cheapest cables which I can find from Thomann. Zero issues here and they're all unbalanced. :D