Newb Cable question.

[linndrum9000]

Ive been doing music for a long time making lo-fi sounding stuff. I just recently got a really nice synth and needed new cables for it(I dont want to use my crap cables). How much do you think is a reasonable amount to spend on a 1/4 inch cable? Reason I ask is I just spent 38(18 each) bucks on two quarter inch cables and I feel ripped off. What kind of things should I look for and how much is too much to spend on decent cables for a nice synth. Thanks, please dont laugh at me.

[RawDepth]

I think there are three levels of mindset (or schools-of-thought) when approaching cables.

1. The Audiophile approach, insists that every possible scientific aspect of cable design must be tested and any minor flaws that are found must be deeply scrutinized and protected against as much as humanly possible. This will ensure that not even so much as a microscopic amoeba can spoil its performance. This is where $3000 cables come from.

2. The Miser approach, decrees that as long as electricity can get from one end to the other, that’s close enough. This is where $0.99 cables come from.

3. The In-betweeners, prefer an equal blend of responsible design research, good quality control, and thrift all rolled into one.


In other words, mid-range cables are good enough for most mid-range professionals.

I always buy from these guys. Audiopile (not to be confused with Audiophile) It is a little mom and pop store with really good quality cables.

[linndrum9000]

Originally Posted by RawDepth

I think there are three levels of mindset (or schools-of-thought) when approaching cables.

1. The Audiophile approach, insists that every possible scientific aspect of cable design must be tested and any minor flaws that are found must be deeply scrutinized and protected against as much as humanly possible. This will ensure that not even so much as a microscopic amoeba can spoil its performance. This is where $3000 cables come from.

2. The Miser approach, decrees that as long as electricity can get from one end to the other, that’s close enough. This is where $0.99 cables come from.

3. The In-betweeners, prefer an equal blend of responsible design research, good quality control, and thrift all rolled into one.


In other words, mid-range cables are good enough for most mid-range professionals.

I always buy from these guys. Audiopile (not to be confused with Audiophile) It is a little mom and pop store with really good quality cables.

Thanks alot. I think I would be an in betweener for sure. i guess what I paid isn't too outrageous.

[PettyCash]

Originally Posted by linndrum9000

Thanks alot. I think I would be an in betweener for sure. i guess what I paid isn't too outrageous.

Its not outrageous at all. I wasnt too keen on spending 20 bucks per cable either, but it seems to be the typical price for good quality balanced 1/4 inch cables.

[linndrum9000]

Originally Posted by PettyCash

Its not outrageous at all. I wasnt too keen on spending 20 bucks per cable either, but it seems to be the typical price for good quality balanced 1/4 inch cables.

Cool good to know man. Having always used cables I got from friends, i didnt really know what prices are like.

[TheRealRoach]

If you learn how to solder cables yourself you can save a bunch of money if you do it in bulk... But you'll find that if you only want to make a cable or two, then buying at the studio is only a few bucks more than to make them at cost. 18 bucks is not bad at all.

I recently insured all of my studio gear, and realized that over the years I had spent nearly a thousand dollars on cables of all sorts... and even a thousand isn't much compared to larger scale studios.

[dementedchord]

while i'm big on DIY these guy's are almost cheaper... redco.com pick your cable/connector/length... get it in a couple days...

[Micah Tolentino]

put it this way... some katz track with a 3k neumann yet run it on a 10$ cable they got @ GC. They wonder why their mic sounds like crap.

You're best peice of gear is only as good as the worst element in your entire chain.

One Word: Mogami.

Get it for your entire studio if you can afford it. Its not rediculously expensive but it will hurt the pocket book a little.

Also, quality cables rarely give out. I've had some mogamis that have outlasted 6 hosa cables.. They are still in my studio and the hosas are crap and now crackle when they wiggle. The amount of money I spent on budget cables would have already purchased 2 sets of mogamis.

Prolink and monster gold is "ok". They have a very low self noise. Im not saying to buy 3000 dollar cables, but when you get in the mogami price range, you are going to get a very clean sound.

Take a budget cable and run it into your board. Now take a mogami and do the same. pan each left and right. Now push your faders up. Now do you hear the difference? Think of that noise and multiply it times 48 tracks in your DAW. Now do you hear the difference?

is that worth 40-50 bucks a cable to get rid of it? You bet.

No I do not work for Mogami. =)