From gabru@comsec.net Sun Nov 06 11:57:38 2011
Subject:RE: Cables

I think you have it right Bruce. Good connectors and good quality cable can have reliability and noise rejection benefits
but the boutique cables are a bad investment for the most part. Monster Cable is one I like to use as an example as they charge
a premium price but the reliability of their cables is horrible. They would rather look good than be good. I get a lot of
there cables for free due to a relationship with the manufacturer and have a big box of defective cables to show for it.
If you want custom cables that are really good quality you can buy some Beldon cable and Neutrik or Switchcraft connectors
and make your own to whatever length works best for you. This way you know the impedance spec and you have cables
that are resistant to microphonic noise when running high gain. I have cables that I built 30 years ago that still work fine
today. If you don't have the time or soldering skills you can probably find someone who does. If you buy cable in bulk you
can build all of the cables you will probably ever need and even split the cost for others that need good cables. Of course
it is always easier to go to the music store or internet and buy them and I think you can get what you need for $10-$30 each.
Spend too much on cables and you wind up paying for a name, a look, or promises in performance that are marketing hype.
I have been involved in cable testing for several companies and although I have some of the "exotic" cables, I do not use
them in studio or MI situations as IMHO they are "marketing tech" and I just want stuff that works, is quiet, and sounds good......

YMMV, etc........ :)

Gary

From: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Wahler
Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2011 5:02 AM
To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CWSG] 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
> I went online shopping for a 6 in. cable to connect my XK3 and Vent. The