Topic: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?

[tgakidis]

I gaff tape alot of my cables in place with no issues,  Got residue......

[Church-Audio]

I gaff tape alot of my cables in place with no issues,  Got residue......

Googone eats at the cable not a good idea. It actually dries them out. But again I dont have any experience with taping only with audio engineering

[cybergaloot]

Cheap mini jacks have crap coatings on them that dont conduct signals very well. The best mini jacks in the world are made by switchcraft and Neutrik.
Also the cable used in cheap patch cables can be crap high in capacitance and poor shielding.

Which is why I had you make me a long cable with Mogami wire and good connectors. I have used cheap Radio Shack headphone extension cables between your mics and one of your preamps with no problem but I never really trusted that setup. I feel much better when I use the better quality cable.

[Church-Audio]

Agreed on the preference for mini-XLR where possible, partly the more substantial mechanical conection, partly the locking feature (the ability to have multi-pins for more conductors is another an advantage for some applications).

But mostly a reminder to gaff tape your mini TRS plugs and connections, even the good quality ones!  It's cheap, effective insurance!

No Gaff on my gear please. Its not a good idea to tape down a connection better to have a proper case or put it in a location where the cable will not get unplugged, then to gaff it.

As long as the gaff tape isn't directly on the connector which would leave residue, I don't see why this isn't sound advice. Velcro is better, but I recommend you always gaff tape your stereo mini plug when in the field when possible. It's easy to do and shouldn't put any undue stress on the connector if done correctly.

I dont feel like arguing with you after being a sound engineer for over 20 years now I know from personal experience that using gaff tape on cables ruins them with that sticky residue that it leaves on the cable I have actually seen some gaff tape destroy cables when used in high heat or in the sun for extended periods of time. But more than that using gaff tape on a cable can actually cause strain on the connector and straight relief of the cable it self causing it to fail. I personally think if you must use something get a strip of Velcro and use that. Its removable with no residue.

Arguing?

Good tape should leave little-to-no residue and a proper tape job shouldn't put unnecessary stress on a connector, it should do the opposite and prevent stress.

Sound engineering experience is quite frequently not applicable to our hobby. We are in the field running hand-held recordings in the pockets of our jeans. It's far more important to ensure an accident won't occur that worry about long-term damage to what is, generally, very inexpensive audio equipment.

Ok I have no experience in taping I just happen to make one of the most popular little mics and preamps for doing it. That does not make any sense to me at all. But carry on  I dont know anything about 3.5 mm jacks and the stress tape puts on cables and connectors when you have to rip it off. And yeah there is lots of good quality tapes that dont leave that much residue but not everybody is using high quality tape thats why I recommend Velcro if you feel the need to do anything that would be my number one choice. But again "taping id different" than audio engineering so you better not take my word for it lol....

[tgakidis]

Googone eats at the cable not a good idea. It actually dries them out. But again I dont have any experience with taping only with audio engineering

That's why I apply a vitamin E enriched moisturizing lotion to prevent drying and cracking.  If you use Oil of Olay it makes the cables look younger too! 

Seriously though Chris, someone must have pissed in your cheerios today because you are fired up.  I for one appreciate your years of experience and knowledge, carry on....

[TimeBandit]

I've been taping for about three years now. Every tape I've made with my gear has used 3.5mm mini-plug at every connection. I had one issue where I didn't fully engage the plug (idiot taper error), but have never had anything become unplugged while taping.

same to me making the mistake of using "cheaper" cable + straight connectors, dropped the recorder into pocket and the cable went out. the cheaper cable was easy to (re)move in the socket while the Church one fits really tight.
since them i had no problems but still have to take care about how to fit the gear into the pocket so no connector issue happens. Will make a solution for me that Preamp and recorder can take place in one pocket like a digital PS camera case.

[cybergaloot]

I've been taping for about three years now. Every tape I've made with my gear has used 3.5mm mini-plug at every connection. I had one issue where I didn't fully engage the plug (idiot taper error), but have never had anything become unplugged while taping.

same to me making the mistake of using "cheaper" cable + straight connectors, dropped the recorder into pocket and the cable went out. the cheaper cable was easy to (re)move in the socket while the Church one fits really tight.
since them i had no problems but still have to take care about how to fit the gear into the pocket so no connector issue happens. Will make a solution for me that Preamp and recorder can take place in one pocket like a digital PS camera case.

I have to wonder if the tip end of the connector was poorly designed so that it didn't 'lock' properly. I realize that we are talking about a more passive lock than say an XLR connector.

[Gutbucket]

I defer to Mr. Church's expertice.

However if you do use gaff tape (on other things  ) get the very best you can find.  Yeah the stuff is expensive as rolls of adhesive tape go, but a ~$35 roll lasts a few years for me and the lack of headache from goo, hard residue, lack of decent adhesion and often less than square right-angle ripping of inferior gaff tape is easily worth it.  It's a wonder tool!

[darktrain]

I've been taping for about three years now. Every tape I've made with my gear has used 3.5mm mini-plug at every connection. I had one issue where I didn't fully engage the plug (idiot taper error), but have never had anything become unplugged while taping.

same to me making the mistake of using "cheaper" cable + straight connectors, dropped the recorder into pocket and the cable went out. the cheaper cable was easy to (re)move in the socket while the Church one fits really tight.
since them i had no problems but still have to take care about how to fit the gear into the pocket so no connector issue happens. Will make a solution for me that Preamp and recorder can take place in one pocket like a digital PS camera case.

Cheap cable is one thing but whether the plug is right angle or straight has nothing to do with quality. In fact straight connectors are more ideal than RA depending how you use you gear. I have a Tinybox and it holds the miniplug tighter than any other i have seen and used, whatever part Jon uses for that 1/8 input its great, and i use straight plugs for that and never a issue and I 90%  record "less than open". I have made lots of cables where people requested RA at both ends only to later realize that one end RA and one straight actually is much more versitile and useful so I will kinly make that suggestion now.

[hi and lo]

Googone eats at the cable not a good idea. It actually dries them out. But again I dont have any experience with taping only with audio engineering

Seriously though Chris, someone must have pissed in your cheerios today because you are fired up.  I for one appreciate your years of experience and knowledge, carry on....

I appreciate it as well, but the sarcastic attitude is hardly necessary. What applies in the professional world does not always apply to our hobbiest/amateur efforts, yet the tone of conversation is that there is only one truth.

[ilduclo]

Agreed on the preference for mini-XLR where possible, partly the more substantial mechanical conection, partly the locking feature (the ability to have multi-pins for more conductors is another an advantage for some applications).

But mostly a reminder to gaff tape your mini TRS plugs and connections, even the good quality ones!  It's cheap, effective insurance!

No Gaff on my gear please. Its not a good idea to tape down a connection better to have a proper case or put it in a location where the cable will not get unplugged, then to gaff it.

As long as the gaff tape isn't directly on the connector which would leave residue, I don't see why this isn't sound advice. Velcro is better, but I recommend you always gaff tape your stereo mini plug when in the field when possible. It's easy to do and shouldn't put any undue stress on the connector if done correctly.

I dont feel like arguing with you after being a sound engineer for over 20 years now I know from personal experience that using gaff tape on cables ruins them with that sticky residue that it leaves on the cable I have actually seen some gaff tape destroy cables when used in high heat or in the sun for extended periods of time. But more than that using gaff tape on a cable can actually cause strain on the connector and straight relief of the cable it self causing it to fail. I personally think if you must use something get a strip of Velcro and use that. Its removable with no residue.

Arguing?

Good tape should leave little-to-no residue and a proper tape job shouldn't put unnecessary stress on a connector, it should do the opposite and prevent stress.

Sound engineering experience is quite frequently not applicable to our hobby. We are in the field running hand-held recordings in the pockets of our jeans. It's far more important to ensure an accident won't occur that worry about long-term damage to what is, generally, very inexpensive audio equipment.

Ok I have no experience in taping I just happen to make one of the most popular little mics and preamps for doing it. That does not make any sense to me at all. But carry on  I dont know anything about 3.5 mm jacks and the stress tape puts on cables and connectors when you have to rip it off. And yeah there is lots of good quality tapes that dont leave that much residue but not everybody is using high quality tape thats why I recommend Velcro if you feel the need to do anything that would be my number one choice. But again "taping id different" than audio engineering so you better not take my word for it lol....

Chris

please check your pm's and get back to me

ild

[vanark]

Chris

please check your pm's and get back to me

ild

You might try emailing Chris.  His email address is in his signature. He consistently asks people to email him.  Just a suggestion.

[ilduclo]

I'll try, thanks   

[Church-Audio]

Agreed on the preference for mini-XLR where possible, partly the more substantial mechanical conection, partly the locking feature (the ability to have multi-pins for more conductors is another an advantage for some applications).

But mostly a reminder to gaff tape your mini TRS plugs and connections, even the good quality ones!  It's cheap, effective insurance!

No Gaff on my gear please. Its not a good idea to tape down a connection better to have a proper case or put it in a location where the cable will not get unplugged, then to gaff it.

As long as the gaff tape isn't directly on the connector which would leave residue, I don't see why this isn't sound advice. Velcro is better, but I recommend you always gaff tape your stereo mini plug when in the field when possible. It's easy to do and shouldn't put any undue stress on the connector if done correctly.

I dont feel like arguing with you after being a sound engineer for over 20 years now I know from personal experience that using gaff tape on cables ruins them with that sticky residue that it leaves on the cable I have actually seen some gaff tape destroy cables when used in high heat or in the sun for extended periods of time. But more than that using gaff tape on a cable can actually cause strain on the connector and straight relief of the cable it self causing it to fail. I personally think if you must use something get a strip of Velcro and use that. Its removable with no residue.

Arguing?

Good tape should leave little-to-no residue and a proper tape job shouldn't put unnecessary stress on a connector, it should do the opposite and prevent stress.

Sound engineering experience is quite frequently not applicable to our hobby. We are in the field running hand-held recordings in the pockets of our jeans. It's far more important to ensure an accident won't occur that worry about long-term damage to what is, generally, very inexpensive audio equipment.

Ok I have no experience in taping I just happen to make one of the most popular little mics and preamps for doing it. That does not make any sense to me at all. But carry on  I dont know anything about 3.5 mm jacks and the stress tape puts on cables and connectors when you have to rip it off. And yeah there is lots of good quality tapes that dont leave that much residue but not everybody is using high quality tape thats why I recommend Velcro if you feel the need to do anything that would be my number one choice. But again "taping id different" than audio engineering so you better not take my word for it lol....

Chris

please check your pm's and get back to me

ild

Dude I am beginning to think your stocking me. I did answer my PM from you yesterday please see my email with the cut and paste of the reply sent from the board to you. Also please delete your post in this thread it has nothing to do with the topic I will likewise do the same.

[Church-Audio]

Googone eats at the cable not a good idea. It actually dries them out. But again I dont have any experience with taping only with audio engineering

That's why I apply a vitamin E enriched moisturizing lotion to prevent drying and cracking.  If you use Oil of Olay it makes the cables look younger too! 

Seriously though Chris, someone must have pissed in your cheerios today because you are fired up.  I for one appreciate your years of experience and knowledge, carry on....

Its the epoxy fumes your right I will not bother with arguing my point or experience.