Reply Posted by Andrew S on January 12, 2002

I am guilty of making almost all my own cables, unless I am in a bind. I am a cheap bastard, and want good quality. I used to buy some mike cables from Peavey, I really liked the cable & they used standard neutrik connectors. Now, I think they use the solderless stuff, and I am not as excited... As far as NL4/NL8 goes, I have found that them very expensive to buy. I get a pretty decent price at my local dealer, and I paid about $40 a peice for 25 foot NL4 cables. Now considering that the NL4s can be had for about $2 a peice (not at my dealer...) and 12/4 is about $.52/foot, the cable parts can be purchased for about $15 or so. $25 to make a cable? I'd rather put that in my pocket. I'll bet NL8's are just as bad. Also, I can sit and watch CSI or West Wing while I build them. ;-)

Andrew

Reply Posted by AlanH on January 12, 2002

Since many of us here get our cabling direct it might skew the opinions... BUT.... I can't see how making your own is worth the time and trouble.

Fixing a cable here and there or making something for a particular application might be OK but trying to make your own 20-30+ cables for a band seems like an awfully hard way to save any money.

Also... consider this: If one of the reasons it looks like you can save big money this way is due to bargain cabling or connector costs somewhere, make sure these are GOOD, DEPENDABLE, FLEXIBLE, cable and connectors.

You won't save anything by making a bunch of cables that turn out to be noisy, failing often, and/or stiff monsters to wrap (and lay badly on then stage for that matter).... When you have to buy new ones to replace them anyway.

If you shop around and buy good cables they will last and last. In the long run what is an extra $100 or so for 20 pre-made cables and that peace of mind? ...And no burnt fingers, lost set screws, ends soldered on before the shell is on the cable, etc! ;-)

.02,
AlanH

http://www.Hamilton-Systems.com

Reply Posted by Jess Bruffett on January 12, 2002

If you can soder pretty good than yes is very cost effective. A friend of mine even made if own snake, it saved him about half, it would of cost him $2200 to buy a snake like the one he had and he bought the part and the cable for his snake for about $1050. Sense then I've been making my own patch cables, speaker cables and mic cables. I save about 40% makeing them my self than if i bought them.

Jess Bruffett
JMainia Productions

Reply Posted by Bob Lee (QSC) on January 12, 2002

If you need an unusal length, or you need it in 15 minutes and a trip to the store would be 25 minutes(and you have the materials at hand), sure. Make your own cables.

Otherwise, buy them. Unless the prices you have are outlandish; then look around. If you've got a good relationship with your pro audio dealer, maybe they'll give you a discount. Cables are a high-margin item for retailers.

If you're not in an immediate hurry, ProCo's got some overstock that they're moving out at excellent prices. Click on the link.

-Bob

Reply Posted by Al Limberg on January 12, 2002

It all depends on what your time is worth and your skills. In the midst of winter, you bet! Things get a bit slow, I can't do some maintenance that requires appropriate temps, etc. then yes I'll make cables. In the midst of the summer rush, the cash comes out and I buy them already made. It depends not only on your soldering skills but also on your shopping skills. If you're stuck paying $3.50 each for Neutrik NC3s, then don't waste your time. If you bother to shop and buy them at $1.60 (and similar savings on quality cable) then go for it.

Even buying can be a hassle when your local dealers sell only crap with solderless, plastic housing XLRs!!
JMHO
Al

Reply Posted by Bruce Gering on January 11, 2002

It might be worth your while to make your own speaker cables, but as far as balanced cables go, find yourself a good inexpensive source for QUALITY cables.-Bruger

Reply Posted by Mark Rednour on January 11, 2002

hI Dan,
If you have a bunch of old cruddy cables, extra xlr connectors, and good cable, sure, I would fix as many as you can. But also going out and purchasing some as well would not be out of the question for critical vocals or inst. it would be one less worry.
Mark

: The band I'm playing with has been looking at the options of making cables to save costs and/or to make sure we have the lengths we need. Is this really a cost-effective solution, or is it just more hassle than it's worth? Also, what kind of cable would be recommended for a group that's on the road about two gigs a week? Steren, Belden, etc. Any advice would be appreciated.

: Dan

Reply Posted by Rich Zei on January 11, 2002

I guess it all depends on a couple of factors, like your skill with a soldering iron, patience and the like. I have always made custom cables for the back of racks and such. I found that it helps to cut down the amount of CABLE-ETTI (new term!!) and all in all makes things easier to patch in/pack up. As for mic lines and such, I just buy 'em.

Rich

Reply "ETTI" Posted by Neal Smith on January 11, 2002

......I have always made custom cables for the back of racks and such. I found that it helps to cut down the amount of CABLE-ETTI (new term!!)

ok Rich?

Reply Posted by Mick Wiant on January 11, 2002

as in SPAGHetti CABLE etti....

Scary....I got it
Must be because I'm married to an Italian

Mick "Eating garlic chocolate chip cookies" Wiant

Reply Posted by Rich Zei on January 12, 2002

So am I, i figgerd a coupla us was out dere.

Rich

: as in SPAGHetti CABLE etti....

: Scary....I got it
: Must be because I'm married to an Italian

: Mick "Eating garlic chocolate chip cookies" Wiant

Reply Posted by matt ruggeri on January 12, 2002

Scary, I got it too! I am Italian! I refer to it as 'Pasta Cableviera'.
One band I work for serves that dish every show! They bring their own light show, and the cabling looks like Black Spaghetti!
I bring a nice neat Multi-Pinned PA, and neat 'Pasta Free' Cabling. I hate Cable-Etti, It tastes and looks funny.
Besides it's an insult to good pasta. ;)

Reply Posted by Mikael Holm on January 11, 2002

~33ft (the most usual length here) quality cable is worth 8-9 EUR, XLR-male and XLR-female go for 6 EUR. That's 14-15 EUR while one can get ready made cable with same parts for 16 EUR. Not really worth it.

Miffe