It Worked! [On-Stage Mic Cable Management]

[Stev187]

This solution might not work for everyone, but I thought I'd share just in case.

Problem: Our bar band mixes sound from stage (job falls to me) and our 8-10 mic cables get tangled up like crazy at the end of every gig. I am the only one in the band who really knows/cares/takes the time to coil cables properly. I use all the standard tools and techniques (gaffing tape, over/under coiling, velcro ties, etc). The spaghetti gets really bad behind my rig because the mixer sits on top of my cabs. This frustrates me. I get grumpy. I needed to do something.

Solution: I bought a pair of 15' fan-to-fan stage snakes. When I hook up the mixer, I put one snake around the back of the drum riser and the other around the front. I also bought a set of quality mic cables that are much shorter and color coded. I hand them to the band members who need them and put them in charge of plugging in--keeps them away from the board and gives them some ownership over the process. Most of the new cables are 12' and they are super easy to coil.

Breaking down last night was a breeze. Why didn't I think of this earlier? I literally grabbed those shorter cables and had them coiled properly in a few minutes. Then I coiled up the snakes when everything was put away. It keeps the other band members away from the board; it eliminates the pasta bowl behind my rig; it makes coiling the shorter cables a snap.

Previously I only thought of snakes as a way to get the board to the back of the room; but this worked great last night. I know it adds an extra connection and potential trouble spot, but I could not have been happier at 2am last night because of it! Just thought I'd share.

--Steve

 

[gene beauchamp]

I like it!

 

[tbirdsp]

Me too. Details on where you bought the snakes and how much?

 

[Stev187]

Me too. Details on where you bought the snakes and how much?

Sure. I bought the pair of snakes on eBay in a lot for $40 from a place in California. The vendor name was Wholesale HD, but there are other sources on eBay, too. The connectors are the same Neutrik clones you see on mid-grade cables (the GLS audio cables I have use the exact same connectors).

Very happy with this solution. I'll tag back to this thread if something bad happens in the future! LOL

--Steve

P.S. I've attached a snapshot of the "clean" effect they have. See any spaghetti? No, you don't!

 

[walterw]

nice!

the normal tools for that job are "sub-snakes", little 15 or 20 foot snakes that stay attached to the mixer ins and have boxes on the other end that get dropped wherever needed.

my one band uses an 8-channel that goes up front to get all the vocals and the acoustic guitar, while a 12-channel goes by the drummer to get all the drum mics and instruments.

when the gig is done, they both just get rolled up and tucked into the back of our rolling rack with the mixer, no mic cable spaghetti anywhere near the board!

 

[4Mal]

Hosa Litte Bro stage snakes will set you back a little more but you get a stage box. Think I paid 75 for my 25 footer. I don't see the fan tail thing being reliable for long term use.

EWI is another cheap (chinese) snake that seems fine. Think I got one of those through Northern Sound. It was 50 which ended up being the wrong length. Too long for stage use, too small to get out front...

 

[Stev187]

Hosa Litte Bro stage snakes will set you back a little more but you get a stage box. Think I paid 75 for my 25 footer. I don't see the fan tail thing being reliable for long term use.

I thought long and hard about the Little Bro. Looks like a great unit. But I wanted to send 4 inputs stage R and 4 inputs stage L and I didn't need the returns. I also didn't want the box. We only play 1-2 weekends per month; if I needed something more rugged, I'd agree and make room for the stage box. These 4-input fantails were $20 each. On one gig, I only needed to use one.

For me, using shorter cables has been a major benefit of this whole thing.

Thanks!

--Steve