MOTM

Hi all.

I've been watching the patchcord discussion also and see the two approaches
(readymade vs. kit).

I would prefer the "roll your own" form, as I agree with Larry, the cords
would be a minimum effort, lets leave the tough stuff to Paul!

I think a bulk purchase of connectors and cables among the listmembers that
are interested should be investigated.

Here's my vote for the patchcord components, and the best prices I've seen:

Connectors:
Neutrik 1/4" Black T/S @ $1.99 ea.
Neutrik 1/4" Silver T/S @ $1.93 ea.

I believe the Neutrik connectors to be the best available, as far as
quality, speed of assembly, and value/cost ratio,
buts thats just IMHO.

For Cable:

Canare L-4E6S Star Quad @ $0.43 / foot 1000' @ $379.00

This is a heavier cable than the L-2T2S (4 - 21 AWG conductors plus a
braided shield)
Also, it is manufactured in more colors:
Black, Blue, Brown, Grey, Green, Purple, Orange, Red, Yellow, White.
I've used this cable extensively - road abuse proven - and prefer it over
anything else out there.

I was looking for the "Cloth Braided" cable also, you know the latest "retro
look" stuff that the music stores sell for guitar cables, but I havent had
much luck in finding bulk quantity, And I don't think there are enough
"Vintage" toaster and iron power cords to fulfill my requirements : )

If anyone has luck in finding this, let me know.

I'd like to see the other list members input as far as costs go. Perhaps we
can create a " Patchcord Shopping Network" !

Regards,

Mark T

mmt@...

i'm used the neutrik connectors myself and might be interested in part of a
bulk purchase. i also usually use L-2T2S and am in need of some more at
the moment so count me in for some of that. i usually buy through
markertek.com, pretty good prices but LMK what you guys come up with.

thanks
mark

>Message: 17
> Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999 23:53:03 -0400
> From: "Mark T" <mmt@...>
>Subject: Re: Patchcord kits - My Vote
>
>
>Hi all.
>
>I've been watching the patchcord discussion also and see the two approaches
>(readymade vs. kit).
>
>I would prefer the "roll your own" form, as I agree with Larry, the cords
>would be a minimum effort, lets leave the tough stuff to Paul!
>
>I think a bulk purchase of connectors and cables among the listmembers that
>are interested should be investigated.
>
>Here's my vote for the patchcord components, and the best prices I've seen:
>
>Connectors:
>Neutrik 1/4" Black T/S @ $1.99 ea.
>Neutrik 1/4" Silver T/S @ $1.93 ea.
>
>I believe the Neutrik connectors to be the best available, as far as
>quality, speed of assembly, and value/cost ratio,
>buts thats just IMHO.
>
>For Cable:
>
>Canare L-4E6S Star Quad @ $0.43 / foot 1000' @ $379.00
>
>This is a heavier cable than the L-2T2S (4 - 21 AWG conductors plus a
>braided shield)
>Also, it is manufactured in more colors:
>Black, Blue, Brown, Grey, Green, Purple, Orange, Red, Yellow, White.
>I've used this cable extensively - road abuse proven - and prefer it over
>anything else out there.
>
>I was looking for the "Cloth Braided" cable also, you know the latest "retro
>look" stuff that the music stores sell for guitar cables, but I havent had
>much luck in finding bulk quantity, And I don't think there are enough
>"Vintage" toaster and iron power cords to fulfill my requirements : )
>
>If anyone has luck in finding this, let me know.
>
>I'd like to see the other list members input as far as costs go. Perhaps we
>can create a " Patchcord Shopping Network" !
>
>Regards,
>
>Mark T
>
>mmt@...

>Canare L-4E6S Star Quad @ $0.43 / foot 1000' @ $379.00
>
>This is a heavier cable than the L-2T2S (4 - 21 AWG conductors plus a
>braided shield)
>Also, it is manufactured in more colors:
>Black, Blue, Brown, Grey, Green, Purple, Orange, Red, Yellow, White.
>I've used this cable extensively - road abuse proven - and prefer it over
>anything else out there.

Star Quad is a pain in the @$$ to strip and prep for soldering. It's
fine when you need top notch mic cables for long runs in the studio,
but I don't see where anyone wants to spend 15 minutes prepping a single
cable. A single conductor spiral shielded cable takes less than two
minutes to prep and solder. Trust me on this, I'm soldering together
seven 96pt patchbays terminated to EDACs, and 36 16pair EDAC to TRS
cables. Time is money, and if I had to spend 15min/pair prepping cable,
I'd never get done.

-Cary

All,

I have to ask.. what's the difference between the 'high end' cable Paul
mentioned and the Belden cable which was discussed a month or so ago? I'm
just wondering... I got 500' of Belden stranded coax for $30 at an
electronics swap meet, was wondering if the $$ make a difference.

Andrew

-| Andrew Schrock | aschrock@... |-

> From: Andrew Schrock <aschrock@...>
>
> All,
>
> I have to ask.. what's the difference between the 'high end' cable Paul
> mentioned and the Belden cable which was discussed a month or so ago? I'm
> just wondering... I got 500' of Belden stranded coax for $30 at an
> electronics swap meet, was wondering if the $$ make a difference.
>
> Andrew

My $.02 is use what you have. If it is the same as the piece you sent me,
I would be happy with it. It may not survive being run over by one of the
wheels on the 450 pound amplifier rack the roadie decides to wheel across
stage before picking up all cables. But, with good ends it should last a
long time under normal use.

Larry H.

With all the experience that he's getting, it sounds like Cary should open a
business making the official MOTM patch cables (seven patch bays! -- ouch)!

I'm somewhat interested in a bulk buy of cable stuff -- although I'm still
living in my synth "banana republic." I'm kind of wondering how much
commercial patchbay (1/4" mono) cables cost in bulk. The last time I bought
guitar cables, it seemed like they were about as cheap as it would cost me to
make them.

JB

>Star Quad is a pain in the @$$ to strip and prep for soldering. It's
>fine when you need top notch mic cables for long runs in the studio,
>but I don't see where anyone wants to spend 15 minutes prepping a single
>cable. <<<

True, Star Quad is a bit tough to work with, but once you get the hang of it
it preps quite quickly.
It shouldn't take 15 minuites to prep a cable though , even if its your
first try.

I agree that the Star Quad may be a bit overkill for patch cord use, but its
pretty unlikely that it will ever fail.

The spiral foil wrap type is very suitable for fixed installations where
there will be minimal if any movement of the cable.
We went through 33 miles of this stuff on one installation. I think it was
Belden 8451 and it does set up extremely fast.
It is not intended to have the same application as the Canare cabel that I
mentioned.

I look at it this way, there aren't any compromises in the MOTM design, so
I'm not going to compromise with the patch cords.

But thats just MHO :)


Mark T