Members crazybilly Posted September 11, 2012 Members Share Posted September 11, 2012 Well, I finally got some powered speaker to replace my crappy PA. Now, I need to get some balanced cables to run from my mixer to the speakers. I'm thinking TRS cables (instead of XLRs) in case I ever luck into a steal of a deal on a snake (and because I don't have XLR outs on the board--I could buy adapters, but why bother). Any recommendations on what length to look for? I was originally thinking 50' so I could make any run I needed, but that seems a little extreme....thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted September 11, 2012 Members Share Posted September 11, 2012 The "problem" with TRS cables is that they are hard to extend. With XLR cables you can just join up two 25 footers to make a 50 when you need one. Most snakes are XLR only also - only some of the crap ones have TRS. To adapt your board outs to XLR buy these:http://audiopile.net/products/Mic_Instr_Cables/MP_Adaptor_Cbls/MP-106/MP-106_cutsheet.shtmlI prefer to use the one footers, the two or five footers would be OK too - YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members crazybilly Posted September 11, 2012 Author Members Share Posted September 11, 2012 Hm. Maybe get a couple adapaters and 4 25' cables, then? Or two 30' and two 20'. That's actually a substanially more usable set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted September 11, 2012 Members Share Posted September 11, 2012 Hm. Maybe get a couple adapaters and 4 25' cables, then? Or two 30' and two 20'. That's actually a substanially more usable set up.Only problem is if your cables aren't all the same length you have to keep track of the odd ones somehow . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted September 11, 2012 Members Share Posted September 11, 2012 All the same length makes inventory management SO much easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members crazybilly Posted September 11, 2012 Author Members Share Posted September 11, 2012 Good call.Time to troll ebay for a set of 4 25' cables! On a related note, do the make long power cables for those things, or does everybody just run an extension cord up to the base of the speaker stand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted September 11, 2012 Members Share Posted September 11, 2012 Good call.Time to troll ebay for a set of 4 25' cables! On a related note, do the make long power cables for those things, or does everybody just run an extension cord up to the base of the speaker stand? Why not order some quality cable from Mark at www.audiopile.net? Sure beats buying some of the typical internet junk. The difference in cost is almost trivial. Usually just power to the base of each spaker stand or stack and then plug in whatever you need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members twostone Posted September 11, 2012 Members Share Posted September 11, 2012 I'm with Age with another vote for Mark's EWI cables since had mine for years with no probs. As far as power cord I use 12 gauge extension cord with a quad box for each speaker stack and also being I own LED lighting rig I can also plug in my LED lights on the same power cord since LEDs don't draw much current and never tripped a breaker in the past 5 years when I switched over from a passive to active rig and from standard lighting to LED lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted September 11, 2012 Members Share Posted September 11, 2012 Why not order some quality cable from Mark at www.audiopile.net? Sure beats buying some of the typical internet junk. The difference in cost is almost trivial. Usually just power to the base of each spaker stand or stack and then plug in whatever you need to. I'm with Andy on this. Almost every cable in my collection is from Audiopile.net and they a top quality. BTW, I use XLR on everything I can. The only time I use TRS is when there is no other way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted September 11, 2012 Members Share Posted September 11, 2012 Good call.Time to troll ebay for a set of 4 25' cables!Buy them from http://audiopile.net On a related note, do the make long power cables for those things, or does everybody just run an extension cord up to the base of the speaker stand?I bought 25 foot ones from monoprice.com :http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10228 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rbts Posted September 12, 2012 Members Share Posted September 12, 2012 Right - XLR cables for everything. All the same length - 20 ft. is fine. Just hook em together. Buy whatever adaptors you need to buy. Buy everything at Audiopile.net. They are awesome. I buy all my cables and stuff there - never been disappointed. Keep it simple! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rbts Posted September 12, 2012 Members Share Posted September 12, 2012 Oh - only buy BLACK extansion cords for use on stage. Make sure you get heavy gauge ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted September 12, 2012 Members Share Posted September 12, 2012 I find 25 foot cables more useful than 20 footers, YMMV . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted September 12, 2012 Members Share Posted September 12, 2012 I find 25 foot cables more useful than 20 footers, YMMV . as do I, either 25 or 30' work well with my needs. 20' is just too short for many needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted September 12, 2012 Members Share Posted September 12, 2012 as do I, either 25 or 30' work well with my needs. 20' is just too short for many needs.Yah, the bigger stages seem to shrink even the 25 footers down to "one foot too short" . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted September 12, 2012 Members Share Posted September 12, 2012 Yah, the bigger stages seem to shrink even the 25 footers down to "one foot too short" . Absolutely! I did a show this weekend where even my 50' subsnakes were all about 25' too short. At least I had plenty to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crownman Posted September 12, 2012 Members Share Posted September 12, 2012 Another vote here for the ewi cables from audiopile. Great quality and super prices. I have a couple 10 and 15 footers but everything else is 25 or 50. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members slipslick Posted September 12, 2012 Members Share Posted September 12, 2012 Not to hijack the thread but where is a good source for black 12 guage extension cord with a quad box? Or even a good source for the correct parts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Stingray5 Posted September 12, 2012 Members Share Posted September 12, 2012 I agree with everyone here audiopile all the way,while your on his site check out his snakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted September 13, 2012 Members Share Posted September 13, 2012 Oh - only buy BLACK extansion cords for use on stage. Make sure you get heavy gauge ones. Yep on this one. Buy yourself some bulk 12-3 SOOW and use these plugs and connectors. The one below is the Leviton 5266 industrial. AFAIC, Leviton is the best. Expensive but you can find new ones (if I hadn't bought 'em up ) for $5-$9 ea.). You can also get these in all black but they are harder to find on ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillESC Posted September 13, 2012 Members Share Posted September 13, 2012 I use the Leviton connector pictured above but in all black. Do yourself a favor, if you're making your own extension cables, don't mount a quad box to the end, rather build a quad box with a 6" tail. Much easier to deal with and the quad box can now be used with any length extension cable you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted September 13, 2012 Members Share Posted September 13, 2012 A couple of the local guys build their quad boxes with powercons in and out instead of tails like that. I've also seem ones with tails that had an "out" tail too. In either case that lets you build up distribution stringers. The addition of a "through" tail might be of dubious legality unless you use twistlock tails? BTW I hear tell this feller can build you custom stuff like Bill pictured above : http://www.entsyscorp.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted September 13, 2012 Members Share Posted September 13, 2012 I use the Leviton connector pictured above but in all black. Do yourself a favor, if you're making your own extension cables, don't mount a quad box to the end, rather build a quad box with a 6" tail. Much easier to deal with and the quad box can now be used with any length extension cable you need. Or better yet, have a 6" tail out both ends for added flexibilty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillESC Posted September 13, 2012 Members Share Posted September 13, 2012 I've done that as well, just didn't have a picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members twostone Posted September 13, 2012 Members Share Posted September 13, 2012 Nice work and be great for a backline run to daisy chain every so many feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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