Cable Management

[fractal0243]

Not sure this belongs in this forum, but..

What do you guys use for cable management and gear bags to bring your stuff to gigs? I currently use a small gym/duffle bag that I keep all my cables, mics, pedals etc in, and it drives me INSANE. I'm one of those super neat and organized people, but I haven't found anything that does a good job at keeping gear organized.

What are you all using to transport all your cables and gear to gigs? Small and lightweight if possible.

 

[GregShadoan]

Plastic milk crates. One for XLR, one for Mics, one for speaker wire, etc... they stack nice, and are useful as little amp stands in a pinch.

 

[Nagrom]

Old wool socks...
Wind up cords. Stuff into sock. Throw sock in bag.

Actually, that's my friends method. She swears by it. I wear my socks on my feet.

 

[ExaltBass]

Small rolling suitcases. (accumulated at garage & estate sales) One each for power, mic, and speaker cables. Plus I use a small gym bag for my gig kit and spare instrument cables. I've got a band's worth of cables to carry.

 

[fractal0243]

Old wool socks...
Wind up cords. Stuff into sock. Throw sock in bag.

Actually, that's my friends method. She swears by it. I wear my socks on my feet.

lol
Never heard of that before, I could see the benefits though.

I'm thinking something like this might work. I really like the attached velcro for the cables, but the bag looks pretty big. Probably too big for my needs.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend....s-Gear-Professional-Music-Gear-Bag?sku=541692

 

[Jazzdogg]

I use several of these - better than socks:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

...and one of these to stow them in:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[etoncrow]

Lightweight aluminum "tool box" from Lowes or Home Depot. It looks like a metal briefcase and has layers of foam you can cut out to fit whatever you put in the box. Great for mics.

Music specific bags are a rip off; look at carpenters and mechanics bags like this:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Steve]

What are you all using to transport all your cables and gear to gigs? Small and lightweight if possible.

1.Range bags that are available to people for the shooting sports.

2. "jump bags" available for EMS workers

3. Maxpedition has some very, very thoughtfully designed bag's about as tough as they can be made.

All of those will provide you with all the padding, pockets and zippers you'll need

 

[uhdinator]

A snare drum or tom bag or case works well since cables are round when you wind them up to pack up.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Cheap plastic locker box from Lowe's stuffed with cast-off CPAP carry bags. I use one for bass stuff and one for PA / FOH.

Riis

 

[Johnny Crab]

Same here on organized and neat.

Multi-compartment laptop bag for my stuff(cables, wireless, wall warts, MXR stompbox EQ).
If using a BOSE PAS that night, it's cables(ALL of them) ride in the bag the base goes in.
If using ACME's and/or SWR Henry, those cables live in the rack for that rig.

I've assumed with the above comments you meant OUR stuff(excluding PA, etc).

 

[MNAirHead]

We use OLD metal milk crates with a bag in them... we don't wind up cables.. just feed them in. All of the cables are labelled... they go in and out in order... never a tangle.. super fast.

I have a suit case with backpacks... this is my backup... stays in the truck.. one backpack for xlf.. one for hiz.. one for speaker etc...

 

[Medford Bassman]

we use gym bags. one for mic cable, one for speaker cables, one for power cords, and one for lighting equipment

 

[Jazzdogg]

I used to use flexible bags until I realized how much extra wear & tear they caused; inadequate protection's what convinced me to upgrade to hard-sided containers with rolling dolly bases or integral wheels.

Hard cases are heavier than bags - have to make sure that, when fully loaded, I can lift them in and out of vehicles and on and off of stages without help. Estimating laden weight takes practice. If you always have help, larger cases can be more convenient. Large diameter locking wheels surmount potholes, expansion joints, and curbs, and makes set-up and tear-down less strenuous.

Hard cases from Audiopile have been great; very high quality at reasonable prices, and great service. They stack neatly in a truck, van, basement, or rehearsal space without damaging the contents, keep their contents dry, and they make it easier to see what's inside without having to dig through or unpack the contents. But, they take up more space in a passenger vehicle.

I have two different-sized briefcase-style boxes that I use to carry hand tools, headphones, DIs, and such:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Stinsok]

Rubbermaid tubs!

 

[Munjibunga]

Small rolling suitcases. (accumulated at garage & estate sales) One each for power, mic, and speaker cables. Plus I use a small gym bag for my gig kit and spare instrument cables. I've got a band's worth of cables to carry.

Yep. I carry power cables in one and, since my speaker cables are mic cables (powered speakers), all my mic and speaker cables go in the other. I like to keep 'em neat, too.

 

[ric stave]

Rubbermaid tubs!

+1

We have one for all mic and speaker cables, and a 2nd for all extension/power distribution cords. They have also doubled as monitors stands, speaker stands, and beer trays.

 

[dmrogers]

I use one of these for my personal gig bag:

LL Bean Backpack.

It has enough compartments to store everything I could possibly need for any situation. Plus it has enough compartments to keep everything sorted and neat. I can throw it over the shoulder, grab my guitars and go!

For sound equipment, I have a bag for power cables, one for power strips and miscellaneous connectors/adaptors.

I use metal cases for mics, mic cables, speaker cables, and anything for PA support.

 

[pasta4lnch]

and

just big enough for all my cables, 25' extension, my 2 pedals and some tools. very rugged and cheap

this may sound odd, but I look for a lot of solutions for gigging stuff at depot. in a lot of cases it's stronger and cheaper ...

 

[fractal0243]

Those velcro straps are clutch. I use those as well.