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Author Topic: How important is a miniplug cable going pre > recorder?  (Read 4009 times)

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Offline jagraham

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How important is a miniplug cable going pre > recorder?
« on: April 14, 2015, 11:05:58 PM »
I've been thinking about this lately. For years I've been using a cheap Radio Shack/Sony "gold plated" cable to connect my preamps to recorders. The gear usually is CA-14s > STC-9200 > Tascam DR-2d (line in). I now have an Ugly Pre 2 so I guess the same question would apply to that. I've also got a "monster" cable that I got just because it was a shorter length and looked nice.

So my concern is - How important is this part of the recording chain? Seems like a much lower priority than the mics, pre, and recorder IMO. If it matters substantially, what factors should be considered for the next step up?
Mics: Nak CM-300s, Nak CM-100s, CP-1s, CP-2s, AT-853s(Cards, Hypers, Omnis) CA-14s(Cards, Omnis)
Pres: CA STC-9200, CA-UBB
Recorders: Tascam DR-70D, DR-2D, Edirol R-09

ISO: 1 Teac ME-120, CP-3 Caps, AT-853 Subcard Caps

Offline The Other Chris

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Re: How important is a miniplug cable going pre > recorder?
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2015, 11:15:24 PM »
I've been wondering the same thing, thanks for putting it out there.

Offline goodcooker

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Re: How important is a miniplug cable going pre > recorder?
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2015, 01:23:51 AM »
Main concerns-

Durability of the solder connections

Strain relief

Fit/Form factor

A 1/8th plug should "snap" into place. As long as it doesn't spin in the socket too much against a dirty contact the other factors shouldn't really come into play (copper vs silver, RA vs straight, etc).  You shouldn't have much to worry about.

Every so often I spray some Deoxit onto my mini plugs and insert/reinsert/spin them into the jacks to clean them.

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Offline Gutbucket

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Re: How important is a miniplug cable going pre > recorder?
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2015, 09:39:43 AM »
^^
All that.

When the otherwise unglamorous interconnect cable doesn't work it suddenly becomes promoted to "most vital component in the recording chain"

For me the interconnect cable doesn't need to be sexy, only rock-solid reliable.  I use cheap SoundPros RA 1/8" cables between two CA-Uglys and the DR2d.  Party because they have the most compact molded RA connector I could find, which places a lot less stress on the output and input jacks than the long cantilever of a larger plug such as the nice RA Neutrik.  Also because the molded plugs are small enough that two of them plugged into the DR2d's inputs can be oriented so that both cables exit as towards the same side of the recorder as a pair without the plugs sticking out awkwardly, which might catch on something.
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Offline vanark

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Re: How important is a miniplug cable going pre > recorder?
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2015, 10:09:53 AM »
It should be shielded as well.
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