Cable Storage

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Brian Murphy

Freshman
Jun 18, 2012
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Hello everyone!

I haven't been here in a while....I've been painting my house, doing some gigs, etc. etc.

OK...a really basic question for those who have been in the business for some time.

I hear different techniques from a lot of people but I don't know anyone who's in Pro Audio so without going through all the various methods that everyone else says is correct........

What's the best way to store your cables (mic, speaker, guitar) until the next gig ?

Thanks,

Brian
 
Re: Cable Storage

There are a hundred ways to do it from rubber maid containers to road cases. I think that you have evaluate what is best for you with some analytical thought process. I went with three rolling cable cubes (Power, Speaker & Mic Cables) that I bought used so I could keep everything somewhat separate. They keep the cables dry and are roomy enough for lots of cables. One of my pet peeves is to dig through someone's mic cable box and find it littered with unbalanced guitar cables. I like to keep the couple of guitar cables that I carry stored with the microphones and direct boxes.

it would be different if you were a one man show (a solo gigging musician playing the corner of the wing joint). You obviously don't have enough cable to necessitate a quartet of cable cubes. I suppose that the next important thing is to make sure that you keep your cables dry. Carrying them in a milk crate from your car into the venue in a rain storm will slow you down unless you're not afraid of electric shock. :)

If you don't have a source (or need) for used cases, at least make sure that you get something that stack together and aren't completely random.
 
Re: Cable Storage

I should have been more specific. I'm curious about the best way to "wrap" the cables.

Quite a few people I've met have say they wrap them in a loop one to the inside then one to the outside and keep rotating so that they don't knot up or kink.
 
Re: Cable Storage

Brian Murphy said:
I should have been more specific. I'm curious about the best way to "wrap" the cables.

Quite a few people I've met have say they wrap them in a loop one to the inside then one to the outside and keep rotating so that they don't knot up or kink.
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Depends on the cable. Over-under imparts no net twist on the cable, but over-over doesn't end up with a string of knots if you unwrap poorly. Figure-eight combines the best of both worlds, but requires a case for transport.
 
Re: Cable Storage

Rob Timmerman said:
Depends on the cable. Over-under imparts no net twist on the cable, but over-over doesn't end up with a string of knots if you unwrap poorly. Figure-eight combines the best of both worlds, but requires a case for transport.
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I find if you hold on to both ends when you throw the cable out, you get a nice big "U" without any knots.
 
Re: Cable Storage

Rob Timmerman said:
Depends on the cable. Over-under imparts no net twist on the cable, but over-over doesn't end up with a string of knots if you unwrap poorly. Figure-eight combines the best of both worlds, but requires a case for transport.
Click to expand...

DANG! Rob is the first PROfessional that has ever testified about his figure 8 cord wrapping habit! I know I'm wrong but I just can't help it so I'll say it now and say it loud - I'M A FIGURE 8 CORD WRAPPER. I have a big heavy rolling trunk full of wire and the majority of the mic cable is all figure 8 with a few wraps around the middle to hold them in place. The few odd ducks were done by people trying to "help" me. My properly trained and educated PA buddies all laugh at me when I'm wrapping but it's a hard habit to break and it works for me. Some of my mistreated and abused cords are 20 years old.
 
Re: Cable Storage

Gene Hardage said:
DANG! Rob is the first PROfessional that has ever testified about his figure 8 cord wrapping habit! I know I'm wrong but I just can't help it so I'll say it now and say it loud - I'M A FIGURE 8 CORD WRAPPER. I have a big heavy rolling trunk full of wire and the majority of the mic cable is all figure 8 with a few wraps around the middle to hold them in place. The few odd ducks were done by people trying to "help" me. My properly trained and educated PA buddies all laugh at me when I'm wrapping but it's a hard habit to break and it works for me. Some of my mistreated and abused cords are 20 years old.
Click to expand...

Figure 8 works really well for a snake when you coil it into a road case. I used to use that method before I got my Rapco on a reel.
 
Re: Cable Storage

Eric Cagle said:
Yep. Non experienced folks are not allowed to wrap or deploy ANY cables though. Should be self explanatory.
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I've been trying for two years to get one band to just leave it to me. I tried to teach them the right way but they just don't seem to get it. I know they just want to be helpful, but I really wish they wouldn't.
 
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