What about cables

[Joe Rodriguez]

I've read that good quality cables make a big difference. Do they really? What has been your experience and what brand of cables do you use / recommend?

[jsgilbert]

Yes - cables can and do make a big difference. There are different connectors, some are gold plated. Also the better cables will feature increased RF sheilding and thicket conductors.

Almost all of the better recording studios will have their own "bench" and they will buy top components and make cables to their specific needs.

Here is a little q and a from Gene Della Salla. It's with regards to speaker cables and applies more to home stereo systems, but it is somewhat applicable to other cables.
Audio Cables - Fact & Fiction Revealed (http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/5/6528.html)

If at all possible, you would want the 1/4" cables in your system to all be balanced and for your analog signal to be a consistent +4db through the chain. You also want to make sure your mic cable is good quality and if at all possibleto not run mic cable around your electircal cable. I have also heard of people swapping out some of the electrical cables for higher quality cable.

A lot has to do with your noise floor and any particular issues you might be having. I also have Equitech and Furman Power COnditioneres in my system. These are the high end balanced isolation transformers that keep the electrical signal extremely clean and uniform. It has helped in so much as the juice coming in here before was all over the place. Apparently my power provider doesn't really care as much about my recordings as I do.


So much of what you decide to purchase will be based on your budget and general needs. Most will agree to start with good quality mic cables, then move to the 1/4" and then the other cables. Having some sort of power conditioner might help as well. There are some lower priced models from Furman likethe P and Pl and PM series (I'm not sure which letter is current)

Here is a link to Better Cables. Many professionals think they make a very good product that's a bit cheaper than some of the competitiors

Balanced Cable - Balanced Cable - SINGLE cable (http://www.bettercables.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=31)

Monster cable is considered a very high quality cable and Mogami is almost an industry standard for mic cables.

Mogami Cable from Spectrum Audio. (http://www.spectrumaudio.com/manprods.php?id=158&gclid=CKPLvLi5gJECFSosagodM0lhGw)

If you have a relationship with a local recording studio that makes their own cabling, you might want to ask them if they could make up some cabling for you and what it would cost. It's a good excuse to go visit some studios and talk with engineers, managers or owners without the usual needy actor pitch.

[Tiger Mitch]

Deleted

[Scott Greenia]

:afro: I'm a fan of Miagomi with Gold Numetric connectors. They brought my noise level to -67db

[JoeActor]

:afro: I'm a fan of Miagomi with Gold Numetric connectors. They brought my noise level to -67db
That's a sweet floor, Scott (mine's around -55 to -60).

Puttin' cables on my list,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[jsgilbert]

noise level is a meaningless term unless you indicate the level you are recording to.

-55 to -60db noise floor is quite acceptable if you are recording to an average -9 with peaks to -6 or so.

[JoeActor]

noise level is a meaningless term unless you indicate the level you are recording to.

-55 to -60db noise floor is quite acceptable if you are recording to an average -9 with peaks to -6 or so.

Thanks JS - you are a wealth of vo knowledge!
I'm a bit weak on the tech side...

I usually shoot for a recording level with peaks around -6 to -3, so I guess I'm doing ok with my setup.

Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[Scott Greenia]

Forgot to mention that it's with a Rode NT1a ... super quiet mic (-5db of self noise).

And yes... shooting for no more that -4 on a peak.

[Scott Greenia]

dupe ... delete.

[AlanSimmons]

Joe,

Yep, what they said. Every cable in my studio got ripped out over the holidays and replaced with Mogami. BIG difference. Definitely worth the $$.

~Alan

[Jon Morss]

I added some Monster Studiolink cables in my config and they made a big difference.

Anyone have any experience with the A8314 series of Audio-Technica cables?
RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: A/V cables: Microphone cables: Audio-Technica 25-Ft. Premium XLR-to-XLR Microphone Cable (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2431678)

They seem to be much cheaper than Monster and Mogami and are made by a great Microphone company.

[Brian Hart]

If you make your own cables redco.com has some old stock Gotham GAC-3 for only 45 cents a foot right now. I bought a bit, it's good stuff.

If you don't do the DIY thing I still suggest letting them make some up for you. You end up with great cables for a not too bad price. You can check it out on their site.

[Jon Morss]

Brian -- Thanks again. I don't mind the DYI thing so I'll certainly be checking Gotham out.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Thanks for all the responses. So Mogami and Monster are the best. If I buy cables on eBAY, should I be looking for anything specific beside those particular brand names i.e. the different types of connectors or something?

[Brian Hart]

This is my opinion and it obviously disagrees with many. Skip the Monster stuff. Look at Canare, Mogami, Gotham to name a few. You want it really easy? Call up the guys at Redco or similar or go to their website and tell them what you need the cable for, what kind of connectors (XLR male to 1/4 female etc) and how long. They can help you choose the right cable and then custom make it for you. I like making my own cables but I use a lot of them. For the standard VO setup with just a few it probably makes more since to have them made up by a reputable company or buy them pre-built. I'd opt for the former.

[bobbin beam]

I've been considering a cable upgrade. Thanks so much for this post!

[lanceblair]

Jon, I don't know if this is true of all Audio Technica cable, but much of it is actually made in the Mogami factory. I have older AT cable that I'm very happy with and sounds almost as good as my new Mogami cable.

I've been happy with my Canare cable too. I recently replaced my road-worn Canare with Mogami and it sounds great.

I don't think Monster is worth the extra money.

[Jon Morss]

Lance,

Thanks for the info. I did buy a couple of the 25' AT cables (about $13.00 each) but have not tried them yet. I also picked up a Pro Co Ameriquad that is hand made in the US and so far it has shown to be very low noise. No more Rice Krispy recordings; Snap, Krackle and Pop have been neutralized.

I still like my Monster Studiolink cables (XLR - TRS ) between my preamps and mixer and mixer to FW interface. They seemed to be the best bang for the buck.