Is it possible to re-train mic cable?

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studiodrum

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Is it possible to re-train mic cable.

So, I have some mic cable that is in great shape, . However, the guy who was using it before me never stored it properly, . and incorrectly wrapped it up after use, . . .Now, its this tangled mess .. ands it seems to have lost its wrap 'memory'

So, I was wondering is it possible to re-train a microphone cable, and get it to wrap up, . .the proper 'over and under method', . . or once it becomes tangled like that . . . is it a lost cause. . .?
 
studiodrum said:
Is it possible to re-train mic cable.

So, I have some mic cable that is in great shape, . However, the guy who was using it before me never stored it properly, . and incorrectly wrapped it up after use, . . .Now, its this tangled mess .. ands it seems to have lost its wrap 'memory'

So, I was wondering is it possible to re-train a microphone cable, and get it to wrap up, . .the proper 'over and under method', . . or once it becomes tangled like that . . . is it a lost cause. . .?
Click to expand...

It's tough . . . first lay it out its full length, and try to get the twist out of it. Then coil it up somewhat tightly on a spool, and leave it there for a week or so. Repeat if necessary.
 
a friend recommended this to me, though i haven't tried it yet.

in the spring, when its warm again, stretch the cables across your driveway and leave them out in the sun for the day. you might be able to restore some of the cables this way. the heat will allow the polymer coating to relax and readjust. if its stretched out well, some of the polymer molecules should reallign. you're not melting the cables, just heating them up to allow the molecules to move more freely and reset their memory. there is a historysis loss so it will make the cables slightly more brittle. but this should be minimal as long as they're not really old and you don't melt them.
 
The hard part is that the wires in the jacket shift position, and get twisted. I've never seen one come back to my satisfaction, but I'm gonna try mshilarious's's's suggestion.
 
mishagolin said:
a friend recommended this to me, though i haven't tried it yet.

in the spring, when its warm again, stretch the cables across your driveway and leave them out in the sun for the day. you might be able to restore some of the cables this way. the heat will allow the polymer coating to relax and readjust. if its stretched out well, some of the polymer molecules should reallign. you're not melting the cables, just heating them up to allow the molecules to move more freely and reset their memory. there is a historysis loss so it will make the cables slightly more brittle. but this should be minimal as long as they're not really old and you don't melt them.
Click to expand...
i couldn't help but chuckle at this.

everyone else says "bah just pull it a buncha times", and then you start using big words! haha, i like it.
 
Is it possible to re-train mic cable.

About as easy as it is to re-train a cat that sprays all over the house. If it bothers you, you just have to throw it out and get a new one.
 
thexflamesxburn said:
i couldn't help but chuckle at this.

everyone else says "bah just pull it a buncha times", and then you start using big words! haha, i like it.
Click to expand...

i studied a little bit of polymer science in college. it comes in handy sometimes.
 
Here's what I do . . .

I carefully wind the cable onto a glass beer flagon, taking out the twists as I go. Then I secure the ends with masking tape and put it out in the sun for a few hours. Allow to cool for a day. I've had good results this way.
 
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PinkNoise said:
I carefully wind the cable onto a glass beer flagon, taking out the twists as I go. Then I secure the ends with masking tape and put it out in the sun for a few hours. Allow to cool for a day. I've had good results this way.
Click to expand...

Now...that's some 'big words', I can get into...."glass beer flagon"....only down under.....
VERY cool!
 
mishagolin said:
i studied a little bit of polymer science in college. it comes in handy sometimes.
Click to expand...
College? Study??? When did they start doing this? Kids these days..... :rolleyes:
 
c7sus said:
Use the really bad ones to tie up your girlfriend.
Click to expand...

This should work well since it applies heat then cold. If it doesn't, find a new girlfriend. :D
 
Take the cable and put it in a baking pan. Preheat your oven to its lowest heat setting. Put the top on the pan. Slip the pan in the oven for a few minutes. Pull it back out. Immediately take the cable out (DO NOT USE YOUR BARE HANDS) and hang it vertically from the top of a ladder. Leave it overnight, then coil it up in the morning.

If it doesn't work... oh well. Cables are cheap, and so are baking pans.

:D
 
This technique works better if you suspend them and gently heat the cable with a hair dryer on it's highest setting. You will also need a ladder.
 
More info . . .

SMC Productions said:
"Now...that's some 'big words', I can get into...."glass beer flagon"....only down under.....
VERY cool!"
Click to expand...

Sorry! Forgot to mention that you have to drink the beer (1/2 gallon) first!
Cheers! :o
 
For me, the bigger problem is the twisting of the internal components of the cable, usually caused by someone coiling cable around their elbow at the end of the night.

If it is not too far gone, a cable can be salvaged by repeatedly using correct coiling techniques - looping the coils while the cable hangs freely from one hand while adding a half twist to each coil with the other hand. If done properly, your cable with lie completely flat when finished.
 
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