Short (1ft) MALE Right-Angle to Female XLR Cables?

Andrew Hughes · April 2nd, 2010, 08:42 AM

I second the vote for making your own cables. The markup on cables is AMAZING. A $30 patch cable can be made in ten minutes (or less, if you get on a roll) with about $8 in parts, AND you can use top quality cable and parts.

As a further bonus, you know the cable was soldered properly--all of the cable problems I've had have been with cables I've purchased. Typically I unscrew the XLR or 1/4" mount and find a bad solder joint.

In the US, Markertek is where I buy my cable-making supplies.

A question was asked above about the type of cable used. For balanced audio, you want two-conductor, shielded cable. The shield should surround the inner conductors in some way as its purpose really is to provide shielding from interference. There is also what's called "Quad Cable" which has four conductors twisted around each other (plus shielding). Two conductors are used for each signal line, and this is supposed to help dampen noise. I've never used it, so I don't know how much of a difference it makes.

This is the type of cable I use in the studio: Mogami W2549 Neglex Balanced Mic Cable

It's quality cable and I've never had any problems with it. However, it's possible that you might want something with a little thicker/stiffer casing for heavy-duty field use.

You'd also need to invest a little money in some tools: soldering iron, wire strippers, and one of those third-hand things (as holding the iron, the solder, the plug, and the wire at the same time is tough with only two hands and one mouth). A set of top-quality tools that will last you years and years would cost about $100--which you'd make back simply by making four or five cables.

Another tip: check out this Rane Note for proper wiring of cables, especially if you are trying to adapt balanced and unbalanced gear: http://www.rane.com/note110.html

Rick Reineke · April 2nd, 2010, 11:36 AM

Most of my mic cables are Canare L-4E6S. Rugged, flexible and easy to coil, but not a lot of fun prepping for solder. They could last your entire career (and then some) if not lost, cut or burned. I buy the L-4E6S for less than .50/Ft. from Markertek or Full Compass...
You gotta ask a sales rep, for they're best price..... Sorry.. I'm not cheap, I'm a cut-price person in a low budget land.

April 2nd, 2010, 11:36 AM	#32
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Most of my mic cables are Canare L-4E6S. Rugged, flexible and easy to coil, but not a lot of fun prepping for solder. They could last your entire career (and then some) if not lost, cut or burned. I buy the L-4E6S for less than .50/Ft. from Markertek or Full Compass... You gotta ask a sales rep, for they're best price..... Sorry.. I'm not cheap, I'm a cut-price person in a low budget land. Last edited by Rick Reineke; April 3rd, 2010 at 12:20 AM.

April 2nd, 2010, 08:42 AM	#31
Andrew Hughes Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 48	I second the vote for making your own cables. The markup on cables is AMAZING. A $30 patch cable can be made in ten minutes (or less, if you get on a roll) with about $8 in parts, AND you can use top quality cable and parts. As a further bonus, you know the cable was soldered properly--all of the cable problems I've had have been with cables I've purchased. Typically I unscrew the XLR or 1/4" mount and find a bad solder joint. In the US, Markertek is where I buy my cable-making supplies. A question was asked above about the type of cable used. For balanced audio, you want two-conductor, shielded cable. The shield should surround the inner conductors in some way as its purpose really is to provide shielding from interference. There is also what's called "Quad Cable" which has four conductors twisted around each other (plus shielding). Two conductors are used for each signal line, and this is supposed to help dampen noise. I've never used it, so I don't know how much of a difference it makes. This is the type of cable I use in the studio: Mogami W2549 Neglex Balanced Mic Cable It's quality cable and I've never had any problems with it. However, it's possible that you might want something with a little thicker/stiffer casing for heavy-duty field use. You'd also need to invest a little money in some tools: soldering iron, wire strippers, and one of those third-hand things (as holding the iron, the solder, the plug, and the wire at the same time is tough with only two hands and one mouth). A set of top-quality tools that will last you years and years would cost about $100--which you'd make back simply by making four or five cables. Another tip: check out this Rane Note for proper wiring of cables, especially if you are trying to adapt balanced and unbalanced gear: http://www.rane.com/note110.html