Cable Quality

[tone_aot]

Hi. I'm planning on purchasing a mogami xlr mic cable and a m-audio dmp3. I also plan to get the mogami cable necessary to go from the preamp to my m-audio audiophile card(if they make it). Right now, i use my behringer mixer preamps, use a $20 xlr cable, and use radio shack trs to rca cables to run my mixer into my soundcard. Is there going to be a real noticeable difference from buying the cables and m-audio preamp?

 

[scrubs]

Hi. I'm planning on purchasing a mogami xlr mic cable and a m-audio dmp3. I also plan to get the mogami cable necessary to go from the preamp to my m-audio audiophile card(if they make it). Right now, i use my behringer mixer preamps, use a $20 xlr cable, and use radio shack trs to rca cables to run my mixer into my soundcard. Is there going to be a real noticeable difference from buying the cables and m-audio preamp?

Almost certainly. When it comes down to it, everything is important, with the actual capture of the signal (source, room, microphone) being most important. What mic are you using and what are you recording? The DMP3 should be less noisy than the behri pre (at least in my experience) and not quite as dull sounding. Cables are important, so get the best you can afford. I have bought quite a few from www.markertek.com. They seem to have good quality stuff at reasonable prices, and they usually have all the different types of connections you would need.

 

[ozraves]

The markup on cable is astronomical. If you can solder, then you should be able to save a lot of money.

I formerly used a similar set up to what you are describing.

For the cable from the DMP3 to the Audiophile you should make a two channel cable. Switchcraft makes different male RCA plugs which you'll put on one end of your cable pair. The models use some variation of Model No. SW3502. If you'll search that at Markertek you should pull up everything from the short body to the gold version. On the other end, I suggest getting a couple of the Switchcraft or Neutrik TRS plugs. I believe the Neutrik models use some variation of Model No. NP3C. For the cable I'd suggest the Canare MR202-2AT, which is a two channel cable. If you want to do two different one channel cables then order the Canare L-2B2AT. I'd suggest not making this cable over 12 feet.

For the mic cable, you'd need to order enough mic cable to make two cables of the length you'd want. I'd suggest nothing shorter than 15 feet. You'll need two male and two female XLR plugs. The Neutrik NC3FX and NC3MX plugs would do. I'd suggest the Canare L-2E5 for the wire.

I think your cost on this might be $30-$40. In essence, you're getting some of the best cable on the planet for Hosa prices.

 

[tone_aot]

I have no experience makin cables. I'm usin a studio projects c1 and also a nady scm 950. I always thought there was something missing in the sound. I'm sure now that the cables and preamp will make a difference. I hooked my c1 up to my friends aw16g and it sounded better than at home so i know that's what it is. Thanks!

 

[robin watson]

What Ozraves says: I totally agree.

The guitar cable industry is total bollocks.

Buy some good (ex. Switchcraft) connectors and some Belden cable.

Or if you have money to burn, do it in style and give it to Pete Cornish!

Oops, sorry, this is about mic cables, but anyway, the same applies.

 

[RezN8]

Judging from the type of gear you're using, I wouldn't recommend spending money on the Mogami stuff. Make your own cables (very easy to do, btw), or stick with the "mid-level" cables.

 

[jkokura]

Even having someone else make your cables (like me if you want) will be cheaper than buying new ones. If you don't know how to solder, than I'll do it for you and you'll still save over buying new Mogami.

Jacob