Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

i'm comparing samples of belden cable for
MOTM patch cables and for general line-level studio
wiring.

so far i like the thinner style (very similar to the
gray belden wire paul uses for audio signals inside
the modules: light, flexible, small) and the specs
(tinned copper, capacitance is only 12pF/foot,
impedance is 110 ohms) of belden 1800B. however the
AWG is only 24 in this twisted pair, foil shield with
drain wire type of cable. is 24 AWG too thin for
modular patch cables? how about for longer runs
within the studio? is a foil shield OK or is a braid
really necessary (yes there are computers in the
studio) ?

other cables i am considering are the belden 1696A
(too thick and inflexible for patch cables IMO but may
be good for the rest of the studio): 22 AWG, tinned
copper, twisted pair, foil shield AND braid shield,
drain wire, heavy duty PVC jacket, capacitance
13pF/foot

and belden 83393, similar to above with a capacitance
of 22pF per foot, 20 AWG, no extra braided shield, and
a thick rubbery silicone jacket.

prior to this i was making line-level cables with
canare starquad, which is a mic cable and has far too
high a capacitance to be used for line level signals.
try using this stuff as a guitar cord, for example,
and it acts as a LPF - your high end goes out the
window. (around 60 pF/foot)

/technical spew off
mark