NYKeys Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Can anyone shed some good tips or websites on how to make cables. With companies like onster-may (sue you if you use THAT Name) I have decided to look into making my own cables. People say it's cheap and easy to do. Any help would be appreciated I had the following in mind XLR Male to Female 1/4 TR Who knows I might try to create a 1/4 to XLR MY Toys - Kurzweil PC1X, Roland A-90, Yamaha KX88, Yamaha CS1x, Novation 49SL MkII, Presonus Studiolive 16.4.2, JBL PRX615M My Music Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prague Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I originally learned just by looking at existing cables that I broke (long before the Internet). 1/4 to XLR requires a transformer in between, unless it's just working as an adapter. Make absolutely sure that's what's needed. A simple 10W soldering iron/pencil is all you'll need. This site isn't too bad for some basic info. http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/connection/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I normally let my cables rub up on each other, and in a few months I have little baby cables. A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdkey Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Thanks for the link Prague, very handy site I am about to make a new rig harness and eliminate the birds nest around the pedals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I can't really tell you how but I can give you some things to consider: You need the right tools: Solder iron, soder wick, needle-nose pliers, wire strippers/cutters, exacto knife, small vise, etc are some you may need. An Ohm meter's (DMM)is nice to have parts: connectors, cable (obvious). I like Mogami cable and Neutrik XLRs or stereo 1/4 inch. I use Switchcraft for mono 1/4 inch. Many on this forum prefer Canare quad cable. Right angle connectors can get pricy in quantity. Either way to really save money over the long haul you'll need to buy in bulk. This can be a significant outlay up front. I buy Mogami(2549 -balanced and 2524-guitar) at 200 ft min a shot. Connectors I'll buy 25 or 50 of a type at a time. I don't do this often but I try to stay stocked as I know I'll use them eventually. Same if you're doing midi cabling. Consider the time you're spending. It can take a good amount even with experience. The benefit is making cables to your exact specification. I recommend trying it with a cable or two and see if it's what you want to do. I've saved plenty over the years -I've been doing this for a long time. But it may not be worth the hassle to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prague Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 No Mogami cable is UL listed. Belden cable is, though. I have 20 year old Switchcraft connectors that are still going strong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 No Mogami cable is UL listed. Belden cable is, though. I'm curious why that matters for audio connections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 I order my cable supplies from Markertek. Canare Star Quad in any color you want, $0.36 per foot. Mogami is nice, but for gig cables its overkill. Frankly, I use Canare in my home studio and its great. http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=L%2D4E6S&off=4&sort=prod I like the Neutrik connectors, since they are extremely easy to put together. The NC3FX and the NC3MX are under $2.00 a piece from Markertek. http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=NC3FX&off=3&sort=prod Wiring XLRs is easy. Pin 1 is ground (shield). Pin 2 is usually positive (I use the white leads in the Canare cable). Pin 3 is negative (I use the blue leads in the Caanare cable). Wire up both sides the same and you're good to go. XLR to TS are usually wired with Pin 3 of the XLR going to ground on the 1/4" side. Get one of those Weller 25watt solder irons (the ones that are under $20) and practice if you've never soldered before. There is an art to it... you have to be patient, let the iron heat up fully and let the solder flow naturally. If you rush, you'll get "cold" solder joints that will be no good. Also, I find that tining each part makes it much easier. In other words, tin the leads by heating them and flowing a little solder on them. Tin the ends of the connector as well. Then when you put the two together, they will bond much easier and better looking. Good luck! I love making cables. I just placed a big order to Markertek for cable and connectors. I've got some studio lines to run! Keep it greazy! B3tles - Soul Jazz THEO - Prog Rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dementedchord Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 as a long time tech i never discourage someone from learning a bit about how it works... having said that buying what you need in custom lengths aint bad either... i find these guy's to be reasonable and plenty of options... http://www.redco.com/default.asp "style is determined not by what you can play but what you cant...." dave brubeck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Pierce Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Consider the time you're spending. It can take a good amount even with experience. Yeah, this is precisely why I don't make cables. I have both the tools and the skills to do it, but when I compare the cost of materials plus my time to the cost of manufactured cables, it just seems silly. I have the luxury of a decent day job though -- if I was trying to make a living playing music, I would probably see that equation much differently. --Dave Make my funk the P-funk. I wants to get funked up. My Funk/Jam originals project: http://www.thefunkery.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYKeys Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 Thanks For all the info It may take some time to do, but It will be worth it. MY Toys - Kurzweil PC1X, Roland A-90, Yamaha KX88, Yamaha CS1x, Novation 49SL MkII, Presonus Studiolive 16.4.2, JBL PRX615M My Music Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 I used to make my own cables back in the early '90s when I was using some really long ones and I was a stickler about everything starting and terminating the same length in my rack coming from stage gear. So I made many, many cables. I still have most of them and they all still work. I think my craftsmanship was probably better than store-bought, but these days, I don't really have the time, so I buy cables when I need them. One thing you must NEVER EVER FORGET when rolling your own cables...do not forget, I repeat, DO NOT FORGET to put the female threaded sleeve down on the wire BEFORE you solder the stuff to the 1/4" jack. I cannot tell you how many times I would finish up a nice little TRS cable with beautiful length and soldering (the TRS are a little more tricky), only to look down and realize I forgot to slip the sleeve on and then all work must be reversed or you just cut it off and start fresh with a new 1/4" jack. Very frustrating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdman Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 One thing you must NEVER EVER FORGET when rolling your own cables...do not forget, I repeat, DO NOT FORGET to put the female threaded sleeve down on the wire BEFORE you solder the stuff to the 1/4" jack. I cannot tell you how many times I would finish up a nice little TRS cable with beautiful length and soldering (the TRS are a little more tricky), only to look down and realize I forgot to slip the sleeve on and then all work must be reversed or you just cut it off and start fresh with a new 1/4" jack. Very frustrating! Ha! Fancy doing that. (Its nice to hear I'm not the only one) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKeys Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 One thing you must NEVER EVER FORGET when rolling your own cables...do not forget, I repeat, DO NOT FORGET to put the female threaded sleeve down on the wire BEFORE you solder the stuff to the 1/4" jack. I cannot tell you how many times I would finish up a nice little TRS cable with beautiful length and soldering (the TRS are a little more tricky), only to look down and realize I forgot to slip the sleeve on and then all work must be reversed or you just cut it off and start fresh with a new 1/4" jack. Very frustrating! Ha! Fancy doing that. (Its nice to hear I'm not the only one) ha! fancy doing that. (it's nice to hear I'm not the only one ... we should start a club) Jimmy Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT www.steveowensandsummertime.com www.jimmyweaver.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.