Cable guy!

[nobody]

I just completed a new patch bay design, for which I will need 34 extra cables (in addition to the 42 I already have). That will cost about $510! I just asked my local dealer if they do discounts on bulk.

Anyone know of a good place to order quality 1/4" unbalanced patch cords at low cost?

[Antimon]

Why don't you make them yourself? Pre-made patch chords are pretty expensive, and though being a bit tedious, making patch chords is the one thing in this whole DIY business that I feel is pretty easy to do. The tricky part for me has been finding good flexible cable though, maybe that's the issue for you as well.

[DrJustice]

I used to make my own cables, but over the last few years it has become much cheaper to buy them ready made and still get good quality.

34 cables for USD 510 works out to more than EUR 11 for each cable. That's a lot of patch cable money these days. E.g. patch cables at Thomann (UK prices inc. VAT). I'm sure you can get them even cheaper in the US...

DJ
--

[blue hell]

I use http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_sssnake_sk369m03_patchkabel.htm - available in some different lengths, been doing so for a couple of years now and not having problems with them.

[nobody]

http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_sssnake_sk3613_kabel.htm?sid=8fe3fc179b7c967dd146ff7f2e131d92

Am I reading this correctly? Is this a 3 meter patch cable for Eur 2.35?

Stefan says it's cheaper to make them. DJ says it's cheaper to buy them.



If I did read the page I linked correctly, I think that's a little less than $5 per cable, and I doubt I can get them cheaper than that in the US. I'm not sure how much shipping would cost, but I'm tempted to try to order from that site.

[DrJustice]

Well, that EUR 2.35 cable you linked to will cost EUR 2.55 to make using the cheapest jack plugs and cable from Thomann (UK pricing again). I'm sure it's possible to find cheaper parts (although quality may suffer), and you can possibly get a discount if buying in bulk.

For me, the the point of making cables would be to get better price AND quality than I can get when bying ready made ones. Also, doing a good job when making several tens of cables takes a bit of time and it isn't my idea of fun. When I buy jack/jack instrument cables that must be able to withstand a lot of abuse, I usually get this or this kind which has a nice flexible cable and good plugs. For actual patch cables I might go for something cheaper, maybe the kind that Jan linked to.

Here's shipping info for US orders.

DJ

Edit: typo
--

[Antimon]

[klangumsetzer]

hej audiodef,

i have been using only those cables stefan linked to for my two patchbays and they are working well.
is there no store in the u.s. that sells these? the cables are probably made in china anyways.


best regards

eike
---

[nobody]

Thanks, DJ. I emailed Thomann for some info.

Eike, I've looked around, and everything selling in the US seems to be far more expensive. I'm sure there are inexpensive cables sold within the US, but I haven't dug them up yet.

Stefan, it's definitely good not to ASSume things. I prefer to be quite ASSiduous, myself. It takes a good set of brASS balls to speak ASSertively, though, so it's all good!

[bachus]

I make all my own cables except for RAC phono-pins. I'm retired so my time doesn't cost anything.

I get my cable parts and a lot of other stuff from Parts Express -- never been disapointed -- so far. They have a limited selection of what I think you are looking for, try this:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=241-5222

[bachus]

here's another for ~ $7.00

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live-Wire-Advantage-Series-14-Straight-Instrument-Cable?sku=330470&CJAID=10381297&CJPID=2179950

Or DIY for~ $3.66 using:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=100-280

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=092-130

Dr J is right about it not being a lot of fun, but I do it any way.

[nobody]

I might consider cable-making fun, but I think I'd like to get some ready made this time.

The cables from parts-express are way too short. I need at least 15 feet per cable, and it looks like the closest standard length is 18 feet, which is fine. I'm sure if parts-express has that length it'll be as expensive as any other place I've found thus far.

Be nice to have patch buses. One cable per 16, 24 or 32 channels from your patch bay to your mixer/console, needing cables only from instruments to patch bays. Save a lot of tangle.

[pyrosonic]

You might not be able to get away from spending a shit ton of money,I'm afraid.
I did some serious upgrading a year ago and spent double that on cables.I got Planetwaves 8 chan, modular snakes with 1/4" breakouts and DB 25 core cables to facilitate setup and breakdowns for gigs.They were about $50 for each breakout and $29 to $59 for the core cable depending on length.There are cheaper alternatives by Hosa that are non modular on sale at Sweetwater now for $49 for 5 meter (40 for 4 meter) it adds up pretty quick.
I'd sure hate to have to sit down and make the number of cables you're talking about no matter what the savings.I hope for your sake you're not talking about something like THIS:

---

IMG_2825.JPG
Description:
Filesize:	3.26 MB
Viewed:	215 Time(s)
This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

---

[nobody]

Hell, no!

It'll be a lot neater, but still a good amount of cables from instruments to two Dbx patch bays, and from patch bays to two Onyx mixers (32 channels plus 8 aux sends).

I can get by on the cables I have now if I run them straight into the mixers, but that limits the amount of flexibility with cross-patching and re-routing. When I'm ready to cough up the dough, it'll be worth it.

I need that floating floor, is what I need. Who knows, maybe I can build my own floating floor. Now that I think of it, what does it take? Some sturdy beams - 2x4's will be enough, sturdy planks, and some nice-looking Pergo. Current studio is not large. Should be well under $1000 for materials.

[klangumsetzer]

[pyrosonic]

[nobody]