From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Sun Nov 06 05:02:16 2011
Subject:Re: Cables

Expensive cables are a real Pandora's Box.

Generally, what one gets with more expensive cables is a) lower
capacitance per foot; and b) better shielding and static immunity. The
shielding might make a difference in certain locations, although I would
imagine that noise pickup through other sources (pickups, power
supplies, etc.) is the major factor.

*Guitarists* can definitely benefit from better cables -- to a degree.
The reasons are simple: 1) Guitars (mostly) use passive pickups with
very little ability to 'drive' a cable; and 2) Guitarists generally move
around with their instruments. I play guitar, and I can definitely hear
the difference between certain combinations of gear, a situation often
aptly described as 'throwing a blanket over the amp.' Mostly, this is
due to the ~1M impedance of guitar amps and effects. Also, I can hear a
little scratchy noise when I walk around with a long cord plugged
directly into the amp with the metal-ended Hosa cables I tend to use.
(I use a wireless system in my gig rig to keep from getting tangled up
at the keyboard, so I don't have these issues.) This is caused by using
different types of insulation in the cable: some plastics pick up
electrostatic charge easily, others less so.

Keyboards usually have lower impedances, so capacitance is less of an
issue; and since they stay in place most of the time, the static
'scratch' is also less important.

I use mid-range cables in my gear, the kind that cost $10-20 (US
street), with metal ends. The big advantage of metal ends is supposed
to be for repairs, but I find that them to also be something of an
indication of higher quality; 100% molded cords often have very thin
cable with little shielding. (I'm generalizing here, because metal-end
cables can have crap wire, too.) I think paying for decent wire and a
good connector like Switchcraft or Neutrik is worth paying extra,
especially if the cable is more than 1-2 feet long. Esoteric, $50-100
cables? I don't think they are necessary.

Just my $0.02USD ...

Regards,

-BW

Bruce Wahler
Ashby Solutions.com^(TM)
bruce@ashbysolutions.com
http://music.ashbysolutions.com
877.55.ASHBY (877.552.7429)

On 11/6/2011 3:45 AM, zakemo@AOL.com wrote:
> I'm not sure if this has ever been brought up or if anyone even cares but