[sdiy] building your own instrument/patch cables

[Kyle Stephens]

Unless you're really gung-ho on being totally DIY, I don't think it's unreasonable to buy patch cables versus building your own.


I haven't 'combat tested' these yet, but they seem sturdy enough:

http://cgi.ebay.com/10-UNBALANCED-MONO-PATCH-CABLES-36-TS-1-4-CORDS-3-FOOT_W0QQitemZ220289537717QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item220289537717&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A200

I got two packs of 12" long ones also available through this seller. They have up to 36" I think, and if smaller ones can't be found here, elsewhere they are definitely, if under the name of guitar cord etc.


_Kyle


--- On Wed, 3/4/09, Ethan VanMatre <evm at arafel.org> wrote:

> From: Ethan VanMatre <evm at arafel.org>
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] building your own instrument/patch cables
> To: "David G. Dixon" <dixon at interchange.ubc.ca>
> Cc: "'Synth DIY List'" <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
> Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 5:02 PM
> I'm not sure what expensive is. I have yet to order
> cables. Here are the prices from synthesizers.com
> 
>  QP4MM-12       Patch Cable, 1/4" Plugs, 12"     
> $5.50        QP4MM-24     Patch Cable, 1/4" Plugs,
> 24"     $6.50       QP4MM-36     Patch Cable, 1/4"
> Plugs, 36"     $7.50       QP4MM-48     Patch Cable,
> 1/4" Plugs, 48"     $8.50       QP4MM-72     Patch
> Cable, 1/4" Plugs, 72"     $9.50     
> Regards, Ethan
> 
> David G. Dixon wrote:
> > This is something which is also starting to weigh
> heavily on my mind as
> > well.  I am preternaturally thrifty (some would say
> I'm so tight I creak
> > when I walk...), and super-de-duper fancy patch cords
> seem like a very quick
> > way to break the bank.  I've seen some which look
> like they are different
> > colors, the cable isn't very thick, and the plugs
> appear to be molded out of
> > plastic which is the same color as the cord.  These
> look like they wouldn't
> > cost the earth, but maybe they're not so
> durable...?  Also, I'm not that
> > keen on making my own, as just the thought of
> stripping and soldering coax
> > shielding to those little plug internals is enough to
> break me out in a cold
> > sweat.
> > 
> > So, how much to these things generally cost, where
> does one get 'em, and are
> > the little colored ones I describe really so terrible?
> > 
> >   
> >> Quoth Horton at 2009-03-05 07:03...
> >>     
> >>> Hey, guys - I'd like to try to build some
> of my own 1/4" instrument
> >>> and patch cables. They're so expensive and
> hard to find in certain
> >>> shorter lengths, and I need a million for my
> modular synth anyway. Can
> >>> somebody recommend some good web tutorials on
> doing this? How about
> >>> some general advice if you've done it,
> too?
> >>>       
> >> Two points that spring immediately to mind:
> >> 
> >> 1) Use heavy-duty plugs and cable.
> >> 
> >> 2) Unless the plugs have some very fancy and
> robust strain relief,
> >> heatshrink sleeving is your friend.
> >>     
> > 
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