>A drain wire normally implies a foil shield, which normally implies a
>not particularly flexible cable.
Yes, there are plenum foil-sheilded install cables than are quite stiff,
but these are only recommended if you plan on setting your MOTM on fire --
like Jimi Hendrix :) I have plenty of foil-shielded cables that are more
flexible, and easier to manage, than most braided cables.
Snakes often use foil shields, and while there is a limit to how sharply
one can bend the middle of a snake, there is no limit to how much one can
bend the individual cables at the fan of the snake. It takes significant
abuse to open holes in a quality foil shield, and that much abuse just as
likely to open up any of the braided cables mentioned so far in this thread.
Btw, you can buy audio cable with both a drain and a 98% braided shield.
>Don't be a wimp! It only takes 1 minute to unbraid a half inch end of
>a cable using a straight pin. Your patchcords will last a lot longer
>and be less noisy than foil shielded stuff.
While I agree that perfectly good patchcords can be made from braided cable
without any soldering problems, I doubt that braided cable is less noisy
than foil-sheilded cable. Afaik, there is no such thing as a 100% braid,
and most braided mic cables have less than 85% coverage. Then again, I
only buy quality American-made cable.
Yes, there are braided cables with less triboelectric (handling) noise, but
imho that isn't much of an issue when used to patch a modular synth or when
carrying line level signals. Even those performing with their modular live
are unlikely to whip their cables around, and unlike a guitar or
microphone, MOTM has an output equivalent to about 20dBu.
Yes, there are braided single-channel cables that are more rugged than foil
shielded cables. So your patch cords will last longer if they get smashed
by speaker cabinets or run over by a van. Otherwise, I think it's a non
issue.
As far as colors are concerned, you can buy a length of Clarke 716 audio
snake cable, split it open, and have cables in 16 different colors. For
unbalanced, connect both of the inner conductors to the tip. Neutrik 1/4"
connectors come in both black and silver. I use silver for TS and black
for TRS.