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Cable Management...

LightGroove

LightGroove

Oct 24, 2006
1,997
187
Happy Bottom, VA
#1
SSIA... Anyone have a solid system in place. Right now we use an old suitcase and the typical cable roll up. Stuff still gets really cluttered and tangled...looking for alternatives and solutions to make the setup/teardown a lot faster. Ive invested in some velcro straps but they lasted all of one gig :scowl:

Thanks
 
#3
Hi.

I use stackable plastic boxes, the knd that stores get their meat, sausages etc. in. Also used by the moving companies.

Even though the "over-under" is preferrable by some, the age old "noose-tie" has served me well over two decades, in pro circles as well as in hobby situations. Never have I experienced a failure because of it.

Sub-snakes for Drums, keys and PA racks is a perfect way to reduce setup time, as is using 4 or 8 pole Speakons if unpowered speakers are used, 5 or 7 pin XLRs, if a set of powered speakers are used.

Color coding is also a step towards more user friendly PA rig.

Regards
Sam
 
#4
I've just been resorting to coloured electrical tape and the "over under" method. Wrap some electrical tape around the cable at 180 degrees apartso that it stays cleanly wrapped, backing over itself at the end so that there's a 2" tab to pull it off at the next gig and you can write on that part too with a fine sharpie.

Yellow for mic cables - write length on tab (25', 15' etc)
White for instrument cables
Red for speaker cables
then I use whatever colour in my hand for power cables and stuff and toss the rolls of tape in the side of the cable bag.
 
#5

Huh? Can’t imagine why your velco straps lasted only one gig. Are you using the kind that strap directly to the cable end, so they don’t get lost?


7OAI.jpg


My band has used that type of Velcro for a couple of years now and haven’t had any problems.

I personally like to use a piece of shoe string to tie wrap my cables. I keep the string itself tied to one end of the cable (the male end of mic cables), so it doesn’t get misplaced. Either way, plugging the XLR ends into each other helps prevent tangles.

A method a buddy’s band uses is one of those big spools for extension cords. They just spool all the mic cables up, attached end to end.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt




Pedulla Club #45

 
#7
For identification, I use an "ident-a-tab" electrical tie with the flag-type label. Enough room for notations (e.g. "Main/Stage Left"). I found them on e-bay. Just attach one to each cable end and even a PA noob can figure where each and every cable connects.

In terms of storage, I use the the big circular orange plastic wire spools available at Lowe's. I bought one just for FOH speaker cables (holds 100' easily)...I really should snag some addt'l for XLR / mic cables and such. If in a pinch, I use the hand-over-hand grouping method (?) and secure the resulting loop with a velcro tie.

Riis
 
#8
Stanley Design said:
Definitely doing this from now on for mic cables.
Click to expand...

i've done that in a former rig/gig. it works pretty well, but there are some downfalls:
1) you have to walk out the length of the XLR cable to pull it off the reel without tangling in itself
2) its REALLY stressful on the XLR plugs/their stress relief things.
3) if you don't have all the same length of cables, you better hope the one you need is close to the outside end
 
#9
I mark all my XLR and Speaker cables with labels (like white board tape and then clear tape over it) that have the length in feet - makes it easy to find the appropriate one needed. I coil each one and wrap the final end around the part of the loop it ends up at and then under itself to knot it. People have yelled at me seeing me do this - I have never had a cable failure in 20 years of doing it this way, so they can %^&* me. (Main reason is, I never pull the end connector, just the wire jacket, and only tight enough to hold it together.) I have 2 bins - audio cables (XLR, Speaker) in one, power cables in the other. I also use an 8 channel drum snake and a 4 channel sub-snake for the front of the stage. I can wire and un-wire the stage in 10 min (if people stay out of my way!)
 
#11
Thanks a ton guys,

Im actually at color coding stage now...gonna hit up a local Harbor freight and score some various tape.

The velcro thing is beyond me..but after leaving the band for 6 weeks and then coming back to the mess I did it makes a lot of sense. I personally think too many people are getting involved (namely the leader) and want to control each aspect. Im approaching the heart to heart stage of our friendship really quickly :D
 
#12
Every cable gets velcro.

I also use electrical tape to color code the cable types:
blue for 1/4" instrument cables,
yellow for XLR mic cables,
red for 1/4" speaker cables,
green for 1/4" TRS cables,
white for speakons.
none for power cables.

I have to do that because if I say "XLR" or "1/4" instrument cable", the other guys don't know what I mean. Easy to say "get me a cable with yellow tape". Also makes it really easy to see if someone has used an instrument cable for a speaker or vice-versa.

I'm in the process of labeling cables so that the other guys know where to plug them in.

I also use zip lock bags for smaller cables that may tangle. Keeps them separate from each other. Then throw all the zip locks into a rolling duffle bag.
 
#13
Velcro on every cable, with my initials in black marker. Wrapped over/under, & stored in one of these(link below). AC power to one side, signal cables to the other.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It has wheels on one end & an extendable handle on the other so even a girl singer can haul all the cords from the parking lot to the stage.
 
#15
the_man_dan said:
i've done that in a former rig/gig. it works pretty well, but there are some downfalls:
1) you have to walk out the length of the XLR cable to pull it off the reel without tangling in itself
2) its REALLY stressful on the XLR plugs/their stress relief things.
3) if you don't have all the same length of cables, you better hope the one you need is close to the outside end
Click to expand...

+1 on all points, including the technique of using the reel. It works great, and even though I know its stressing, I've never ruined a cable in 5 yrs of doing it this way. Three reels then fit upright in rubbermaid totes. Just Label each cord with color tape, then in magic marker, the length and type (XLR, AC, etc.) on the reels and keep your blood alcohol level under .15 and you should be fine. The Velcro method only works if every band member does it this way everytime. If not, you have another mess.
 
#16
I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that I'll be the only one in contact with the cables from here on out. I'm actually setting up a show with the lead singer/leader next week and hope to make this point clear....of course there have already been power struggles but hoping the too many cooks analogy will work for once in my life...:D

Oh scored some cheap colored electrical tape and some cool wire gadgets from a homedepot that Im hoping will do the trick. Im actually going pretty extreme and aiming to have everything color coded to the point of paint by numbers..ie. this color plugs into this color...figured this may speed things up.
 
#17
vinny said:
Velcro on every cable, with my initials in black marker. Wrapped over/under, & stored in one of these(link below). AC power to one side, signal cables to the other.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It has wheels on one end & an extendable handle on the other so even a girl singer can haul all the cords from the parking lot to the stage.
Click to expand...

I checked out your link, and noticed this:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Then I went to my local Menards and it looks like I could get one for about $17 more than the one you're using. I think this looks pretty good, it might even allow me to cut down the number of cases I need to bring to a gig (which is already low).
I'm going to have to give this some serious thought.
 
#19
Each cable is coiled then tied (with a length of black 1/8" unglazed cotton tie line).

Monitor speaker cables are color coded (and numbered for the benefit of those who don't know the EIA color code), and labeled for length.

Mic cables are color coded and labeled for function or number. Drum cables are color coded & labeled for function, and cut to appropriate lengths. Vocal cables are color coded and numbered - all are 40'. Instrument cables are color coded and numbered and are all 40' (there's a set color coded for stage left and a set color coded for stage right).

Drop snakes are color coded and labeled (drums, USL, USR, DSL, DSR).


All of this makes grabbing a cable more time consuming, but it's worth it in time saved when troubleshooting or doing band changeovers.
 

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