Pedal board cable question

[mlavin00]

Hey. Thanks for checking this out. I know there are a ton of threads on this subject but I have a question regarding mixing patch cables. I love my board/amp combination. It's been great live and in the studio. However, I've been doing more home recording with my students and I'm finding more hum/crackle than I'm used to. I just added another pedal and added whatever patch cable I had laying around. I'm not sure I'm bought in to an absolute difference in sound clarity when higher end cables are used. I'm I wrong, or does my potpourri of patches really effect the noise and tone? I do use Mogami cables from my guitar to my amp or wireless. Any thoughts are most appreciated!
Mitch

[jnepo1]

I've always liked consistency in choice of cables. Having a mish/mash of cables can cause inconsistancy in sound/tone. Some cables have higher or lower capacitance. Maybe short runs in cables won't make a difference? I just like a consistancy.

[teleclem]

Without thinking about the tonal benefits (subjective), a good quality patch cable should be less prone to crackle, etc. A lot of the cheap ones I've had have gone bad.

Fwiw, I like my Lavas for the board. And yes, I can hear a difference (maybe not with the band - but at home, I can definitely hear it).

[jnepo1]

Originally Posted by teleclem

Without thinking about the tonal benefits (subjective), a good quality patch cable should be less prone to crackle, etc. A lot of the cheap ones I've had have gone bad.

Fwiw, I like my Lavas for the board. And yes, I can hear a difference (maybe not with the band - but at home, I can definitely hear it).

You don't think there is a tonal difference? Compare solderless cables alone, there is a difference between GL's and Lava's alone. As for crackle, there are enough threads about solderless cables crackling or being a pain if they are not properly connected. That goes w/ any cable, soldered or solderless. I'm not singling out the solderless cables, soldered cables do the same. Things wear out and cables get abused, plugs as well.

[matt5150]

Originally Posted by mlavin00

Hey. Thanks for checking this out. I know there are a ton of threads on this subject but I have a question regarding mixing patch cables. I love my board/amp combination. It's been great live and in the studio. However, I've been doing more home recording with my students and I'm finding more hum/crackle than I'm used to. I just added another pedal and added whatever patch cable I had laying around. I'm not sure I'm bought in to an absolute difference in sound clarity when higher end cables are used. I'm I wrong, or does my potpourri of patches really effect the noise and tone? I do use Mogami cables from my guitar to my amp or wireless. Any thoughts are most appreciated!
Mitch

I think it's possible your rig could benefit from new cabling if you have some cables that you are unsure of/question their age or quality.

Just to rule out the possibility, I would buy some bulk cable and ends and take the issue out of the equation.

I like the Evidence Monorail and Switchcraft plugs for all my boards. Super easy to wire up and sound great.

Matt

[mlavin00]

Thanks for the replies! I may check out completely rewiring my board with either the Mogami or Evidence cable and Switchraft or Neutrik ends. Any preferred vendor that you use?

[jnepo1]

Originally Posted by mlavin00

Thanks for the replies! I may check out completely rewiring my board with either the Mogami or Evidence cable and Switchraft or Neutrik ends. Any preferred vendor that you use?

Redco.com for Mogami or Gepco cables-they have the best prices for these cables.

Best-tronics.com for Evidence cables, bulk.

Redco has the best prices for Neutrik plugs and also sells Switchcraft and Amphenol plugs.

You might want to check out speakerrepair.com for GLS plugs. depending on how many pancake plugs you will need, their price ranges from $1.05 down to .69/each based on quantity.