High-Quality TRS cables

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RhythmRmixd

RhythmRmixd

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Can anyone recommend any high-quality TRS 1/4 inch cables for use in a small home studio? I'm trying to get a good solid connection between the 2 1/4 inch audio outs on each of my E-MU sound modules to the 1/4 inch TRS analog inputs on my MOTU 828mkII audio interface. I know Monster makes some good stuff, anything else off hand?
 
Homemade with Mogami or Belden wire and Neutrik connectors. Easy to make, easy to fix when necessary, and cheaper than store bought.
 
Cool idea, but anything equivalent to that, that can be store-bought, ready to go? I'm a lazy ass who doesn't mind wasting money once in a while. :D
 
I took a look at some of the mogami stuff online, that should get me started. Maybe I will try to build the cable. Thanks
 
Yeah, building your own is a much better deal. The Hosa stuff is cheap by not that great quality. Stores then typically jump up to Monster Cable or equivalent at like $40 for a 3-ft cable.
 
I'm wondering what kind of difference a really good cable, as opposed to an average quality cable will give me? Reduced noise floor would be reason enough to make the switch. And I know that the signal chain is only as good as its weakest link. Right now I'm using whirlwind and horizon cables, I think there's a little room for improvement. Not to mention that two of the cables running out of the same module are different brands, which probably doesn't help. This technical area of recording is something I have little knowledge of.
 
I think good cables do make a difference. Monster cables are very good quality, but a bit over hyped and over priced. They are good though. Avoid any cables that have molded plastic ends, those are prone to fail and once they do fail you can't fix them.

I make most of my own cables, but I think pretty much any cable by Monster, Mogami, or Canare is going to be a very good cable.
 
I found that my local Guitar Center carries a Mogami cable with Neutrik connectors.

Pretty reasonable, too.

However, I'm all for building your own.
 
RhythmRmixd said:
Can anyone recommend any high-quality TRS 1/4 inch cables for use in a small home studio? I'm trying to get a good solid connection between the 2 1/4 inch audio outs on each of my E-MU sound modules to the 1/4 inch TRS analog inputs on my MOTU 828mkII audio interface. I know Monster makes some good stuff, anything else off hand?
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I have used most of them and advocate building your own cables if you have the expertise to solder. I can't say anything bad about Monster Cable or any of the clones out there. Monster Cables are built with quality connectors, cable and their workmanship is outstanding.

Monster cables are overpriced also. They hype how their sound is better using terms like "skim effect" and "frequency compensation". But, their true worth is in the outstanding quality of their components and workmanship. The cheaper cables (Like Hosa) will cost substantially less, but will go bad in a short to very short time.

OK. So, Monster cable is a great cable for a guy who sees the stage all the time because it is a very good quality cable with a lifetime warranty (no questions asked). This is great for the gigging musician and will pay for itself sooner or later. This is not so great for the studio owner as you will go broke in a hurry. So, balance the price vs. quality of cable (taking out the "voo-doo" esoteric claims of better sound etc.) for your purposes and you will be happy. If you want to believe ( and I will not say that you should or should'nt) in the fantastik claims in better audio quality, then you have to pony up to the hundreds, or thousands you will have to spend on Monster Cable to outfit your studio. I make my own cables and rarely buy them pre-made, but I did buy some Monster Cables for live work because of their quality and free replacement (that I have taken advantage of a few times) as I don't usually carry a soldering station to gigs .

Anyway, good luck whichever way you go.
 
Actually, the only connection in my studio that would concern quality cable is what I mentioned above, from the two modules to the audio interface. It seems that quality in a MIDI cable would only need to be minimal, as the only concern is the cable's ability to transfer MIDI performance information. Everything else I'm using to route sounds is thru software instruments. So I won't have to spend excessive amounts for a couple pairs of 5 foot cable. High quality is of utmost importance. Thanks for the info guys.
 
Drop me a PM if you want a quote on some decent cables with Neutrik connectors:)
 
i just started making my own cables, i already made 4 TRS, a few instrument, and 4 mic cables using Mogami 2552 and Neutrik connectors. i was at GC the other day and like one single mogami mic cable was around $50! i think i paid somewhere around $150 for 300 feet of the wire, a bunch of connectors, solder, and a new set of helping hands (a must have!), so yeah its WAY cheaper to just make em. the first two wires i made came out crappy, so i just trimmed em back another inch and re-did em. after a while once you get the hang of it, its really easy, just gotta set aside some time to make the wires. so far i haven't had any problems at all with my wires that i've made. the only thing is i was surprised how thin the 2552 wire was. i didn't realize it was gonna be so skinny. but it certainly takes up less space than a big bulky wire would, and its flexible. so yeah i recommend making them yourself. it saves money, and if you make em right, then you know that you're getting a good quality wire in the end.
 
If you only need a few cables, then I think it is more cost effective to buy high quality cables ready made. When you get into needing tons and tons of cables, then it gets cheaper to make them yourself from high quality parts. But unless you already have the soldering iron, clamp, solder, etc. it's a better idea to buy them at the store if you only need a few (in my opinion).

And since you only need a couple, go all out and get the really good stuff.
 
Well I went out and got that crazy overpriced shit that I mentioned in the link above. Definitely noticed a difference as soon as I ran some MIDI tracks through my interface and out to my 824's. The low end sounds a bit crisper, the noise floor is quieter on the bits before and after the music starts on the recorded soundbites (I tracked a song to hear the difference). Definitely was expensive, but much needed and worth it in my opinion.
 
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RhythmRmixd said:
Do you guys know the difference between a TRS 1/4 cable and a regular 1/4 cable? I know TRS is tip/ring/sleeve, but that's about the extent of what I know.
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trs is balanced. if the gear you are using is also balanced then it means less (magnetic) noise on the signal, and a louder signil over greater distances.

if the gear you are suing is not balanced, then it will act the same as ts.

trs is also used in inserts and acts as a send and return Y cable.
 
Cylkk said:
if the gear you are suing is not balanced, then it will act the same as ts.
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I'm not suing anyone. :D

Both my synths are balanced outputs, as well as my interface inputs (I believe they accept both balanced and unbalanced), so it sounds like everything worked out great. (no pun intended) Thanks
 
What is the process for making your own cables?

Can you describe it?

Thanks,
Frank
 
HOW TO MAKE A CABLE / CAT LASSO

1. turn on solder iron and let it heat up. i let mine heat while doing the steps listed below. make sure you place it out of the path of pets/children. or, go ahead and brand "HOMERECORDING.COM/BBS" onto the cats ass. :D

2. decide what length you want. this can take all day for the undecisive. *edit* make this step 1........you don't want to burn up your soldering iron tip while your drinking a beer and thinking about all the things this cable might be used for........guitar, bass, lassoing the cat.

3. cut the cable to length using a tape measure and wire cutters/knife.

4. trim the ends using wire strippers/knife making sure not to break any strands of the shielding wire and twist the wires tight. a knife makes it hard not to cut some of the strands so just use good wire strippers.

5. slide connector outer casings/plastic sleeves onto both ends of cable (how many times is it possible to forget this or put one on backward?) :rolleyes:

6. lightly clamp connector in clamp/vise (vise grips for the broke and cheap).

7. suck the bottom outa that michelob bottle and lasso the cat a couple of times. go back to step 3 if cable does'nt seem long enough.

8. tin the tip of the soldering iron, connectors, and cable ends with solder. that cat is looking for revenge so keep one eye on him. ;)

9. wipe the soldering iron tip on that little damp sponge. if the cat did in fact get revenge, and he got you good, continue with this step. otherwise, got to step 10. tie up the cat using any extra cable, dampen his fur with michelob, use him for a tip cleaning sponge. :eek:

10. solder your first joint. clean the tip on sponge/cat. repeat this step until all joints are soldered. make sure the soldering tip always has a silver color and clean it/tin it as needed.

11. using pliers, squeeze the connector barbs around the wire. some people prefer to do this before soldering so that the connector holds the cable in place.

12. if step 9 was followed completely, untie the cat and run like hell!

13. share a michelob with the dog and admire your new cable/cat lasso and branding skills.

That does'nt sound so bad does it? With the proper tools and no cat to distract you, your first cable will probably take 20-30 minutes. your quality and speed will improve with experience. if your not happy with your first cable, remove the connectors by heating the joints and pulling on the cable.

Anyone use a different approach or have some tips or better detailed instructions for Frank?
 
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