Advice/Opinions on mic cable choices

[Notsosane]

I'm planning to make some mic cables for location recording using a stereo mic (5 pin xlr). I'm considering cable listed below.
I'd like to keep size and weight down, which attracts me to the mr202, but the "quality" part of my brain says Star-Quad.
My longest run will probably be 50'. Longest cable probably 30'.

So my two biggest concerns/questions would be:

Has anyone had noise/interference issues with the mr202 cable that might be avoided using Star-Quad?
And, can you "cram" a cable larger than 8mm (like the Mogami siamese or the Canare L-4E3-2P) into a Neutrik X?

Thanks


Canare MR202-2AT (od .264) Canare Corp.: Twisted Pair Seiries: Twisted Pair Multi Channel Microphone Cable(MR202-AT Series)

Canare L-4E3-2P (od .350) Canare Corp.: Star Quad Series: Multichannel Star Quad Microphone Cable(L-4E3-P Series)

Canare L-4E4-AT (od .413) Canare Corp.: Star Quad Series: Multichannel Star Quad Microphone Cable(L-4E4-AT Series)

Mogami W3106 (od each .189) MOGAMI® - Stereo Microphone Cable / Aerial Microphone Cable
(siamese) (width .378)

Mogami W2930 (od .295) MOGAMI® - Snake Cables (Multicore Microphone Cables)

Neutrik xlr max cable diam 8mm (.31")

[theslygoose]

Originally Posted by Notsosane

I'm planning to make some mic cables for location recording using a stereo mic (5 pin xlr). I'm considering cable listed below.
I'd like to keep size and weight down, which attracts me to the mr202, but the "quality" part of my brain says Star-Quad.
My longest run will probably be 50'. Longest cable probably 30'.

I've made plenty of stereo cables for Tapers who use MR202-2AT for live recording. They like it because it is very light weight (around a lb on average). The furthest I've gone with it was 25' and a guy gave me some feedback and said it was great, but I can't comment on 50'.
As for Neutrik XLR they do make an oversized model,the XX-14 series:
Neutrik - Audio - XX-14 Series

[boojum]

I make my own cables. Canare star quad and Neutrik connectors. My longest run is 20 - 25' and no problems.

[GZsound]

I make all my own cables and have been using Belden mic cable since the mid 70's..and still have most of those cables in use.

Switchcraft or Neutrik ends only.

[panatrope]

I have been using a single Canare L-4E6S as a stereo cable (with XLR5s) for over 20 years, either as a 2 way multicore or as a stereo cable for mics such as the Neumann SM69 (latterly AT825 or NT4) or stereo pairs such as Schoeps CMC54/58 M-S pairs. The runs have been up to 50m (a 30 and a 20m cable combined) and likewise 40m cable drums. No issues ... in both classical and contemporary applications (with dynamic stage mics on the other end). And yes, it is easy to terminate on a Cannon or Neutrik XLR5 (old or new ... my first cables had the original design Neutrik connectors - and they still work fine!). And because it is a symmetrical layup, it bends equally well in all directions, though I have to remark that the newer thinner sheath seems to pick up a 'set' more readily than the original, slightly thicker design

I can hear the arguments rising - the quad paralleled (blue+blue/white+white) is what gives you the noise rejection; what about the cross talk, etc. In response, the cable has a very effective braided screen, and the twist is quite regular - just follow AES grounding recommendations. And as for cross talk between the two pairs of a quad - well as a telecommunications engineer, I can tell you that telephone connections are made for miles (yes, I started when distances where measured in miles) with 70 dB or better crosstalk between pairs of a quad.

Just don't get me started on the oxygen-free/grain-oriented/GM-free insulation brigade ....

[hbphotoav]

I fly with gear a couple of times a year... sometimes requiring "my" trusted long-run cables for cathedrals. My current favorite lightweight cable is Belden 8761 (PVC coated, 22AWG, 100% foil shield with a tinned drain wire) which weighs about half what standard "stage" cable weighs... and on 200-300' (70-100m) runs, that's significant. It's definitely more fragile than Canare or Mogami... but if you handle it yourself and use a modicum of care coiling, stowing and packing it, it's a weight saver. And it's $.27US a foot in 1000' reels. I also have a couple of long-run stereo pairs... though I can't find the model number... that split out to a pair of Neutrik XLRs. Not much heavier than 8761, but equally good for weight and shielding.

I repeat... nobody lays or coils up this cable but me and a few trusted assistants. It is NOT stage-worthy, and will easily be sliced by just about anything with an edge. But, with proper care... works for me.

YM, of course, MV.

HB

[GZsound]

Originally Posted by hbphotoav

I fly with gear a couple of times a year... sometimes requiring "my" trusted long-run cables for cathedrals. My current favorite lightweight cable is Belden 8761 (PVC coated, 22AWG, 100% foil shield with a tinned drain wire) which weighs about half what standard "stage" cable weighs... and on 200-300' (70-100m) runs, that's significant. It's definitely more fragile than Canare or Mogami... but if you handle it yourself and use a modicum of care coiling, stowing and packing it, it's a weight saver. And it's $.27US a foot in 1000' reels. I also have a couple of long-run stereo pairs... though I can't find the model number... that split out to a pair of Neutrik XLRs. Not much heavier than 8761, but equally good for weight and shielding.

I repeat... nobody lays or coils up this cable but me and a few trusted assistants. It is NOT stage-worthy, and will easily be sliced by just about anything with an edge. But, with proper care... works for me.

YM, of course, MV.

HB

That's the same wire I use for all my permanent install stuff. It is a little to fragile for me to use on stage, but great for rack wiring and all my studio wire runs.

For my iive sound gigs I only use free range, grain fed, oxygen free genuine dinosaur derived rubber coated wire.