A huge difference in sound!

Margus Alviste · #1 12-24-2006, 01:15 AM

Just bought two Klotz T. M. Stevens Funkmaster Signature cables and played my MTD535 through the Acoustic Image Focus 2R / Schroeder 1012 rig. What a huge difference came out when I compared my MTD's sound with the sound played through my George L'S cable. My MTD lost all it's famous high frequencies with the Klotz cable. When I switched back to George L'S, it was like someone has taken a blanket away from my amp. Although there was not as much low end with the George L'S. I played my 68/69 Jazz through the Klotz and found the sound much better than with my MTD.
I know that Mr. Roger Sadowsky suggests those Funkmaster cables, in fact, I bought those cables thanks to Rogers's ad on his website. But I would like to inform you that your instrument's sound depends very much on the cable you are using. Every cable gives it's one flavour (especially in the studio situation). You just have to choose what suits you the most.

PS! Sorry if I used a wrong place for that thread!

Earwigger · #2 12-24-2006, 03:58 AM

I'm interested in knowing what sort of construction techniques involved in making cables would affect the sound (or signal).

I haven't noticed a huge difference in sound when playing through a multitude of different misc. cables I have laying around, but I've never really A/B'd them either. Maybe I should do that.

PilbaraBass · #3 12-24-2006, 04:08 AM

if the bass is active, there should be neglible difference in sound, regardless of the cable in use.

However, on a passive bass, differences in overall capacitance between different cables can really affect the sound quite significantly. 160pF on a 20' high-capacitance cable is common-place and that can suck out LOADS of high freqs.

fullrangebass · #4 12-25-2006, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margus Alviste

Just bought two Klotz T. M. Stevens Funkmaster Signature cables and played my MTD535 through the Acoustic Image Focus 2R / Schroeder 1012 rig. What a huge difference came out when I compared my MTD's sound with the sound played through my George L'S cable. My MTD lost all it's famous high frequencies with the Klotz cable. When I switched back to George L'S, it was like someone has taken a blanket away from my amp. Although there was not as much low end with the George L'S. I played my 68/69 Jazz through the Klotz and found the sound much better than with my MTD.
I know that Mr. Roger Sadowsky suggests those Funkmaster cables, in fact, I bought those cables thanks to Rogers's ad on his website. But I would like to inform you that your instrument's sound depends very much on the cable you are using. Every cable gives it's one flavour (especially in the studio situation). You just have to choose what suits you the most.

PS! Sorry if I used a wrong place for that thread!

A friend of mine works as an electronic engineer specializing in speakers and drivers. We had a chance to record and analyze (with special equipment) several cables along with the ones you mention above. The TM Klotz "mutes" (dare I say) the other frequencies so bass frequencies stand out. George L are really fine cables (they do not take great abuse, but I keep everything mint and un-abused and stress free)

A9X · #5 12-25-2006, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullrangebass

A friend of mine works as an electronic engineer specializing in speakers and drivers. We had a chance to record and analyze (with special equipment) several cables along with the ones you mention above. The TM Klotz "mutes" (dare I say) the other frequencies so bass frequencies stand out. George L are really fine cables (they do not take great abuse, but I keep everything mint and un-abused and stress free)

I'd like to know the details of the tests performed and to see the results. As an EE, I'm very curious regarding your comments.

fullrangebass · #6 12-25-2006, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dharmabass

I'd like to know the details of the tests performed and to see the results. As an EE, I'm very curious regarding your comments.

Although I am a scientist of positive school of thought, I am no EE myself that's why I asked my friend to help me choose what would be best for my "full range sound". It was similar lengths of cables (some were very very expensive cables for high end equipment) fed with a standard signal (from a certain device) and with an "analyzer" he showed me what was coming out the other end (I need to ask my friend of what exactly was used and how it was used). I remember though that the mid and high frequencies were not as present on the TM cable as the bass frequeuncies (TM Stevens is one of my favorite bassists and I had just bought the cables, along with the Goerge L's that I was considering a touch inferior due to their "weak" visual presence). More to follow very soon (along with some other tests that will start from next week)

Johnny Crab · #7 12-25-2006, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dharmabass

I'd like to know the details of the tests performed and to see the results. As an EE, I'm very curious regarding your comments.

+1
Got my radars scanning too. 'Nuther EE here.
Any chance for a picture(s) of the frequency response(s) labelled by cable?
I know, too many labs....too many specsheets....wanna-see-itis...

brandonwong · #8 12-25-2006, 09:18 AM

Subscribed!

Margus Alviste · #9 12-25-2006, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullrangebass

A friend of mine works as an electronic engineer specializing in speakers and drivers. We had a chance to record and analyze (with special equipment) several cables along with the ones you mention above. The TM Klotz "mutes" (dare I say) the other frequencies so bass frequencies stand out. George L are really fine cables (they do not take great abuse, but I keep everything mint and un-abused and stress free)

Great comment! Usually people don't believe such propositions (as mine) as they don't care to try things out or they believe anything that is said in ads. I'll be very interested in results of your future tests!

Zooberwerx · #10 12-25-2006, 10:21 AM

I'm hard-pressed to spend top dollar on any premium instrument cable. Still using two Spectraflex (toaster cord) lines I bought ten years ago. I learned long ago that the worst "tone suckers" in my signal path are those fleshy articulated thingamabobs hanging off the end of my hand!

Riis

ibz · #11 12-25-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

I learned long ago that the worst "tone suckers" in my signal path are those fleshy articulated thingamabobs hanging off the end of my hand!

Riis

Haha, this can be very true.

zombywoof5050 · #12 12-26-2006, 01:30 PM

Length of cable can make a difference.
Is the Klotz cable a lot longer than the George L?

Margus Alviste · #13 12-26-2006, 01:37 PM

The length is exactly the same.

Psychicpet · #14 12-26-2006, 01:40 PM

and following.

seanm · #15 12-26-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margus Alviste

Although there was not as much low end with the George L'S.

I wonder if there was "not as much low end" or just more high end. i.e. Cutting the high end brings out the low end in the Klotz cable.

The George L's are know for their very low capacitance. This will keep more high end with a passive bass.

Jazzdogg · #16 12-26-2006, 02:19 PM

The only audibly different cables I've encountered have been either inappropriate for the task at hand, defective, or damaged.

I can't imagine why someone would want to use a cable that boosts or attenuates any part of the frequency spectrum, especially when the job can be done more quickly and effectively using (reversible) tone control settings.

Psychicpet · #17 12-26-2006, 02:29 PM

I do like my BI-20... also Canare or Mogami have been good too.

my 2-bits

**Thor** · #18 12-26-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwong

Subscribed!

Couldn't have said it better myself.

MarkTAW · #19 12-26-2006, 11:37 PM

I've A/B'd cables and was blown away by how different they were. I think the shootout was between El Cheap "white tipped" Sam Ash cable and a more premium brand.

How many of us have premium or at least decent sound cards? We could use the (free) Rightmark Audio Analyzer, which is supposed to measure sound cards, but can, theoretically, be used to test cables as well. Provided you use the same settings both times, you can compare one cable with the other and it'll show you the differences, within the tolerance of your sound card.

Razman · #20 12-28-2006, 12:24 PM

I was going to order some Canare bulk cable and a few connectors and make my own high-end cables for a fraction of what they would have cost already made. I then stumbled upon a used Monster "Rock" cable with a broken angle plug at a local music store and bought it for five bucks. The next day I took it to GC and got a brand new one. I'm happy.