How do I make a better cable?
How do I make a better cable?
Hey guys, I've been working on a rack and pedalboard for awhile now. It looks great and is very functional, but the most important part, it doesn't sound right. My effects don't sound the same in the rack as the do when i plug straight in. For example, when i plug my guitar into my OCD and then into my amp, it doesn't sound the same as when i plug it in through the GCX. I have done a ton of trouble shooting and have basically narrowed it down to cables. I have made the cables in my rack. I used mogami cable with rohr's right angle ends and Rean straight ends. I have gone through and reheated my connections to make sure i don't have any cold welds. Nothing i do seems to make them sound right. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give me suggestions on how to make a better cable. I have invested too much money for it to sound like it does. Thanks for your help
-
a2dconverter
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:32 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Re: How do I make a better cable?
hey ncapaci...
if you are using Mogami cable and soldering your plugs ...
make sure that you strip back the black covering from the white insulation on the center conductor...
that black covering is partially conductive ...if the covering touches the solder tab of the plug's TIP, even though a cable tester will read that the cable is OK, the cable won't sound good.
If you test the cable out with an ohm meter, if the covering is touching the plug's tip solder tab, it will read 1000 Ohms instead of infinite ohms between the tip and shield.
The resistance should be infinite between the tip and Shield if the cable is made up correctly."
I hope this helps
seeya
Joe
if you are using Mogami cable and soldering your plugs ...
make sure that you strip back the black covering from the white insulation on the center conductor...
that black covering is partially conductive ...if the covering touches the solder tab of the plug's TIP, even though a cable tester will read that the cable is OK, the cable won't sound good.
If you test the cable out with an ohm meter, if the covering is touching the plug's tip solder tab, it will read 1000 Ohms instead of infinite ohms between the tip and shield.
The resistance should be infinite between the tip and Shield if the cable is made up correctly."
I hope this helps
seeya
Joe
Last edited by a2dconverter on Tue May 29, 2012 12:20 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: How do I make a better cable?
Hey a2dconverter
Thanks for the response! I tested with the ohmeter and I found out that i am getting some sort of continuity between the lead and the ground. I'm going to try buying nicer ends (switchcraft/neutrik) and look at different brands of cable ) Evidence Audio Monorail) or get the nicer Mogami. Any more suggestions?
Thanks for the response! I tested with the ohmeter and I found out that i am getting some sort of continuity between the lead and the ground. I'm going to try buying nicer ends (switchcraft/neutrik) and look at different brands of cable ) Evidence Audio Monorail) or get the nicer Mogami. Any more suggestions?
-
a2dconverter
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:32 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Re: How do I make a better cable?
Hey NC,
Sorry I corrected my post above it should have read...
"If you test the cable out with an ohm meter, if the covering is touching the plug's tip solder tab, it will read 1000 Ohms instead of infinite ohms between the tip and shield.
The resistance should be infinite between the tip and Shield if the cable is made up correctly."
Your connectors are fine, and the cable is fine....I still think that the black covering is touching the tip solder connection on the plug....You just need to clip the black covering that is around the center conductor...
Here's a pic
I hope this helps
seeya
Joe
Sorry I corrected my post above it should have read...
"If you test the cable out with an ohm meter, if the covering is touching the plug's tip solder tab, it will read 1000 Ohms instead of infinite ohms between the tip and shield.
The resistance should be infinite between the tip and Shield if the cable is made up correctly."
Your connectors are fine, and the cable is fine....I still think that the black covering is touching the tip solder connection on the plug....You just need to clip the black covering that is around the center conductor...
Here's a pic
I hope this helps
seeya
Joe
Re: How do I make a better cable?
Thank you so much. Worked perfectly. Can't thank you enough