Best XLR cable?

L

Lor

Well-known member
Is there such thing as "best XLR" cable? I'm looking for an XRL cable. In the past I've purchased some cheap ones from Wal-mart or some local store and it didn't last long. What brand name should I go with or does it matter?
 
They all SOUND the same. So the thing to get is one that lasts. I have been happy with Audio Technica brand. None I own have ever got loose on the ends, and they are a tad thicker than the usual XLA cables. I'm sure there are better ones, like with neutric connectors, but I couldn't get a link to any. DIY guys say to make your own, but I don't care to do that. Anyway, B&H has the AT cables for a great price.

25' 18.99 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68099-REG/Audio_Technica_AT8314_25_3_pin_XLR_Male_to.html
 
For pre-made cables the better brands are Proco, Whirlwind and Rapco, like with any other company they have offerings in "good, better, best" you can usually mail order them at the music instrument sites or your local GC if you have one near by.

you can also find esoteric stuff from Monster Cable , Kimber cable, but like Chad said, you cant realy tell any difference in sound.
 
Mogami and Canare are definitely a step up from Proco and Whirlwind. They do basically sound about the same though. In theory the star quad cables are a tiny bit better at noise rejection, but XLR cables are inherently somewhat noise canceling due to the balanced design. The Canare cables just feel amazingly nice in your hand, and are nicer than you would have a right to expect. First rate construction throughout.

For what it's worth, this is what I'm using. Pro Audio LA will cut them to your specifications, and do first rate work. They even made me a custom dual 3-pin XLR to 5-pin XLR cable for my Rode NT4 stereo mic based on my specifications and pin out information.

http://www.proaudiola.com/product-p/can-l4e6s-xlr2xlr.htm

This is as good or better than the cable than you can get somewhere like Guitar Center, and quite a bit cheaper.
 
I cant recommend enough that you goto radio shack and buy a 25 dollar soldering iron and learn to make your own.
XLR's are extremely easy to make and you can save a LOT of money over time buying bulk cable
and neutrik ends and rolling your own.

For my bulk connector/cable needs I use www.redco.com
 
I also recommend making your own cables, especially if you need odd adapter cables. I have always used Canare L4E6S cables, and have even pulled 1200' of it through a ceiling for a studio installation. I like the Neutrik X series connectors (the XX series is a little wider.) I have also used the Switchcraft A series, which are just as rugged, if not more so. The Switchcraft uses three tiny screws, the Neutrik doesn't require any tools besides a soldering iron.
 
I'll third this. My buddy hooks me up with custom cables and there's nothing more satisfying then knowing you used the highest grade components and that it's all done properly. It may not always be dirt cheap but for the price of a mediocre cable, you'll have a much better one.
 
Thank you guys for responding to this thread. It is very helpful to me. I was looking at B&H site and it list gauge. Now, what does that mean? What gauge should I be looking for?

Any DIY instruction or video tutorial for making my own XLR cable?
 
Knowing how to make your own cable is always best, but it IS a skill that does make a difference whether you have a good reliable cable or not.

Yes it is easy, however Ive fixed too many cables prepared by so called professionals to not let that be known.

but YES definitely learn how to make or repair your own , it will save you tons over the span of your career.

At least have 1 professional made one to have as a reference.
 
Yes, I will definitly purchased one professionally made; however, if I'm making my own, what kind of cable quality should I be looking to buy? Rippie, thanks for the link to the website. I'll check it out.

Again, instruction on step by step instruction or video tutorial is appreciated.
 
The gauge refers to the diameter of the conductors, the smaller the number the bigger the conductor. a cable that has 22ga pairs is smaller than a cable that has 18ga conductors.

most commercial interconnect rack wiring is 22ga, obviously the bigger the better but at some point its not that critical. 18ga is probably the biggest you will find in a shielded twisted pair cable (mic/line)
but most commonly 22ga, any smaller than that you want to stay away from. probably the more important thing i the shield, some of the cheaper cable has a way less than 100% shielding, the good stuff uses a combination of foil as well as a tightly braided shield around the twisted pair. like the guys before said, when building your own stick to good quality brands such as CANARE, Mogami, Gotham, Belden, and use Neutrik or Switchcraft connectors ONLY, I cannot stress the connectors enough. cheap connectors is the most likely point of failure other than a cut on the cable itself.

There is tons of references to proper cable building techniques and examples on the net, with a little researching.

Good luck
 
Thanks, recordingwhiz! I'm take that brands into consideration when buying cables. I had a couple of cases where the end connector just came off or loose that's why I started this question.

Thanks for those contributed.
 
I make all my own cables. I use Canare star quad. The way I do it is "blue to two, ground to one". That's it. Just pick up a soldering iron, solder, wire strippers, and you're off. Other than that, Remote Audio makes some great XLR cables. My personal favorite are the Planet Waves XLR cables that have a lifetime warranty. If anything ever goes wrong with them, they'll replace it for free. Their list prices are high, but you can find them for pretty cheap of you shop around. Plus, they have a large variety of turnarounds and adapters that are fantastic. When I worked at Coffey Sound, I sold a bunch of their adapters to the show "Deadliest Catch", and they were the only things to survive the shoot.
http://store.daddario.com/category/146495/Custom_Pro_Series
 
Most important when you make them is to check polority. It looks easy...it is easy (just follow the right cable and color, like blue = 1) but when you do it between morning and breakfast....
 
Lor said:
Yes, I will definitly purchased one professionally made; however, if I'm making my own, what kind of cable quality should I be looking to buy? Rippie, thanks for the link to the website. I'll check it out.

Again, instruction on step by step instruction or video tutorial is appreciated.
Click to expand...


Two words: Braided Shielding. Nothing els is worth your trouble.

(Except for foil shielding, but foil doesn't stand up to everyday use. It's only suitable for permanant instalations, like within a rack.)
 
I bought a soldering iron and a bunch of other stuff to make my own cables around a year and a half ago. However, I've been too lazy to get around to actually doing it. But, I do plan on digging in and making some XLR's at some point.

I recently broke down and bought myself a second ready made Canare StarQuad XLR cable. I really like the colored ones. I have a green 25 footer and my new one is a 15 gray cable, which I'm using on my boompole now. I love 'em.
 
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