Where To Get Mic Cables?

jad · #1 10-09-2011, 07:41 PM

Time to restock the band's mic cable supply. I plan to pick up several. Can anyone suggest a good source, either online or local to Pittsburgh?

Also, we currently connect shorter ones for longer runs. Any good reason to not do that and get some longer cords?

somegeezer · #2 10-09-2011, 07:47 PM

Any audio store. If they don't have them, they aren't very good audio stores are they?

bongomania · #3 10-09-2011, 07:55 PM

Honestly, any large online web retailer is going to have a decent selection at good prices, often with free shipping. And there have got to be some music stores in Pittsburgh. Mic cables are usually not expensive or hard to find.

As far as connecting shorter cables for greater length, it's fine. On the one hand every plug connection is an opportunity for plug failure, dirt, corrosion, etc.; but OTOH if your 50' mic cable gets slammed in a steel door or something, you're hosed.

Oreomeister365 · #4 10-09-2011, 09:18 PM

Ebay has some amazingly cheap cables I find.

No comment on quality. I'm not very savvy on mic cables but I find the nature of their jacks makes them near impossible to break.

Swampman Cory · #5 10-09-2011, 09:28 PM

Like bongomania addressed, one negative aspect of hooking up multiple cable to each other is than when something is not working, it is harder to find the culprit. Not much of an issue if the run is just two cables, but if you were doing a 50' run to the FOH with 10' cables, it would really be inconvenient for one cable to be not working...

KingRazor · #6 10-09-2011, 09:31 PM

In my (limited) experience, there are three types of audio cables:

Cheap, crappy cables that don't do the job they're intended to do, or at least, not well.

Cheap cables that work.

Expensive cables that don't work any better than cheap cables.

gotmule? · #7 10-09-2011, 10:24 PM

You should be able to find mic cables in almost any music store or any store that sells dj or pro audio equipment. As for the cable itself, as long as it has good connectors (for example, Neutrik connectors) and you wrap them properly, you shouldn't have any problems whatsoever.

skychief · #8 10-09-2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jad

Also, we currently connect shorter ones for longer runs. Any good reason to not do that and get some longer cords?

Always minimize the number of connectors in any cable run (signal, speaker, power, etc) whenever possible. Daisy-chaining mic cords is a bad idea.

In a pinch, RADIO SHACK sells mic cables! I purchased one about 15 years ago... it still works fine.

WayneP · #9 10-10-2011, 05:08 AM

Like gotmule said, it’s best to use cables with good-quality connectors. Go too cheap and you just end up buying more cables, so in the end you don’t really save any money. Not to mention the hassle of having them fail during a gig.

I’ve never had a problem with the male end of a cheap mic cable. The main problem is the female XLR. They’re total junk, living on borrowed time from day one. Take a look at this picture that compares a cheap and quality connector:

The bottom connector is a Switchcraft, the top is some no-name something-or-another. See the little ball at the business end of Switchcraft? The Switchcraft has two of those, and they are spring loaded. The purpose they serve is to maintain a tight pressure connection in the socket they are plugged into.

Now look at the cheap connector. It has no spring loaded balls. All it has is a couple of "bulging tabs" to ensure a good connection (for lack of a better term - one of them seen here circled in green, between the two dark strips).

The problem is that over time, the tabs will collapse, and you end up with a goose-loose connection that has a lot of flex and give. That in turn wallows out the plug's three sockets, which then can easily make and break connection. So basically, the whole mechanical structure of the connector is compromised.

So, don’t waste your time with cheap female XLRs. Use only a brand name like Switchcraft or Neutrik. (Note that the Neutrik connectors don’t use a bulging tab or a spring-loaded ball to physically secure the connection. Don’t let that deter you, they’re excellent connectors.)

Of course if you can solder, you can just install a new connector on the female end. Here’s a comprehensive tutorial I did a while back on soldering connectors. Part 5 covers XLR and 1/4“.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly

jad · #10 10-10-2011, 08:15 AM

Thanks for the responses. Wayne, your post will help me make a more informed decision. It's kind of funny to me how so many bass players are religious about instrument cables, but have no consideration for mic cables.

KingRazor · #11 10-10-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneP

So, don’t waste your time with cheap female XLRs. Use only a brand name like Switchcraft or Neutrik. (Note that the Neutrik connectors don’t use a bulging tab or a spring-loaded ball to physically secure the connection. Don’t let that deter you, they’re excellent connectors.)

Of course if you can solder, you can just install a new connector on the female end. Here’s a comprehensive tutorial I did a while back on soldering connectors. Part 5 covers XLR and 1/4“.

Do you know which brands of cable makers use neutrik or Switchcraft connectors?

WayneP · #12 10-10-2011, 10:36 AM

Honestly can’t tell you, King. You shouldn’t have a problem turning up something by Googling “mic cable switchcraft” or “neutrik”.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly

gotmule? · #13 10-10-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

Do you know which brands of cable makers use neutrik or Switchcraft connectors?

I have no experience with Switchcraft, but usually if a cable has a Neutrik connector, it will say so on the package as well as the actual connector itself. I am not too familiar with all of the brands of cables, but I know for sure that Livewire and Rapco Horizon use Neutrik connectors on their cables.

Zinkff · #14 10-10-2011, 04:21 PM

Highly recommend audipile.net. It is an independent, "mom and pop" shop with solid quality cables and excellent customer service.

Daisy chaining cables is fine, but I don't like to connect more than 2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jad

Time to restock the band's mic cable supply. I plan to pick up several. Can anyone suggest a good source, either online or local to Pittsburgh?

Also, we currently connect shorter ones for longer runs. Any good reason to not do that and get some longer cords?