Digital Cable / RG 59?

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mark4man

mark4man

MoonMix Studios
What is the basic difference between a standard RCA patch cable; & an S/P DIF or "digital" patch cable?

About 2 years ago, I had asked for; and purchased, a "digital" cable. At the time, I needed it to run between "digital out "on my old SoundBlaster card; & "digital in" on my SoundWorks PC speaker system, since I had misplaced the original.

Now (with better equipment), I was hoping to use it for S/P DIF track transfers between a portastudio & my PC; or between my audio interface & effects processor. It looks like a gold connector RCA, but with a heavy-duty armored shaft at the end; & a very thick reinforced sheilding. Is this the animal I'm looking for? I know that S/P DIF is the digital equivalent to RCA audio, but what are the basic differences? Is it only impedance & sheilding?

Also: Would this be the infamous "RG 59" cable, I hear mastering engineers refer to?

Thanks in advance,

mark4man
 
A standard RCA patch cable can't be used for S/PDIF because the charecteristic impedence of the cable is not 75 ohms. You can definately use GOOD RG-59 for digital audio transfers as its charecteristic impedence is 75 ohms. Normal RG-59 is used in antenna and cable television plumbing. I wouldn't want to use that but it would function in a pinch. I use a headend grade Beldon RG-59 video type cable (60% braid over a 40% braid shield and then a bonded foil over the dielectric with a silver plated center conductor) for all my S/PDIF cableing and Wordclock patching as well and it works flawlessly.
 
Track Rat,

Thanks, man. I even went to the Belden site...they have a .pdf manual entitled "The Digital Studio Cable Guide." Pretty informative. I now remember hearing that the video standard (for RG-59) was the way to go. Thanks again.

mark4man
 
If you decide to make your own cables in the future, don't confuse it with RG58. That only has a 52 ohm impedance used for communications. They look identical except for the nomenclature on the cable sheathing.
 
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