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Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: checht on August 05, 2018, 08:18:42 PM

Title: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: checht on August 05, 2018, 08:18:42 PM
Pardon if this has been asked before, but wondering what folks think of as the most compact set of kit for SBD patches.

In my experience, I most often get XLR male cables from the engineer. Sometimes he asks me to plug in a couple 1/4" trs, and very rarely there are 2 rca outs.

My MP-3 has XLR and 3.5mm trs inputs; prefer the stability of the XLRs.

So, obviously one set of 2 x XLR - XLR. What about for the 1/4" and rca outs?

Right now I carry a bag with a ton of adapters and cables, looking to slim down.

TIA
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: rippleish20 on August 05, 2018, 09:05:35 PM
I went through the same issues. Having a Zoom F8 was annoying early in the process as I needed to worry about the recorder side also in terms of XLR or 1/4. Now I have Mixpre-6 which solved that problem.

At any rate, I initially tried Hosa adapters like XLR to 1/4 and XLR to RCA but I moved to short XLR to 1/4 stub cables. I keep these attached and simply remove them if the board has XLRs. To me they are easier to keep track of than adapters.   XLR male - XLR female (20 feet) + XLR male - 1/4 inch (1.5 feet)

For RCAs, I have a dual RCA to 1/8 cable and I used channels 5/6 on my Mixpre-6. I've gone to a lot of venues and it's fairly rare to end up with RCAs. BeOnKeys is the place I am most likely to go which is RCA only..

I've encountered FOH twice now who want to give me a USB recording so I carry a USB key but I was able in both cases rto convince them to give me a live patch. And once I encountered a guy who wanted to give me headset out (14 stereo) so I carry a 1/4 strereo to 1/8 inch stereo also. I was able to convince him to give me a XLR feed in the end also

I also often bring in a patch bay, especially if I suspect other tapers will be at a show. to share board feeds.
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: checht on August 05, 2018, 09:20:31 PM
[cut]
I've encountered FOH twice now who want to give me a USB recording so I carry a USB key

^ Thanks for all the info.

At the Sisters, OR Rhythym and Brews fest this weekend, the Yamaha board would only write mp3's to USB, so that was useless. Just went with XLR's, simple and reliable.

~Chris
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: achalsey on August 06, 2018, 12:25:39 AM
Not probably ideal, but most compact might be:

Cable: XLR (m) (recorder side) > RCA (m) (SBD side)

Adapters: RCA (f) > 1/4" (m); RCA (f) > XLR (f).

RCA > other component adapters seemed to be the easiest to find for me, so that's why I made the base cable terminated in RCA.  Obviously unbalanced so, like I said, not the ideal cable, but I've never had an issue.

I run a similar set up.  It covers all the bases and is a pretty small footprint.  These days I hardly ever find RCA outs, and almost never have run 1/4", so it's become fairly obsolete for me personally, but in the past in a town with all different boards at small bars it came in handy.

I almost always have at least one extra pair of just regular XLR cables, so if the board is XLR out I just use a dedicated pair of XLR cables.
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: jbell on August 06, 2018, 09:26:04 AM
I have a set of 1/4 > female XLR for my Mixpre-6, which covers me for most situations.  I like the 1/4 right angle connectors on the mixpre side since the are easy to position in the bag.  I also grabbed a set of 1/8 > dual female XLR and 1/8 > dual male XLR for the 1/8 input and output on the Mixpre-6.  Here is a link to the Audio2000 cables I mostly use for SBD.  They come in different lengths if you search ebay. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio2000s-C20006P2-6-Ft-1-4-TRS-Right-Angle-to-XLR-Female-Cable-2-Pack/221332080216?epid=1053455210&hash=item33886b8658%3Ag%3AWIsAAOxy3zNSolbA&_sacat=0&_nkw=Audio2000+right+angle+1%2F4+trs+to+female+xlr&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: heathen on August 06, 2018, 09:27:53 AM
Not probably ideal, but most compact might be:

Cable: XLR (m) (recorder side) > RCA (m) (SBD side)

Adapters: RCA (f) > 1/4" (m); RCA (f) > XLR (f).

This is my setup, except my recorder side is 1/4" male (right angle).  The adapters are in a little baggie and it's all pretty compact.
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: achalsey on August 06, 2018, 03:09:09 PM
^ My cable is the same.  Either 12 or 15'.  Can't remember if it was Ted or Darktrain, but I want to say Ted.

I will say: one plus of having XLR instead of 1/4" is the ability to lengthen it with other XLR cables if needed, but when getting a feed I don't recall ever needing more as I'm usually set up within ~10' of the board.

(https://i.imgur.com/H4UPkuu.jpg)
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: jbell on August 06, 2018, 04:20:33 PM
Allyn, Those look like Darktrain due to the chopped 1/4 side.  He suggested I have that done when I was running the Tascam DR680 for a better fit than stock right angles.  I could be wrong though.  Nice setup

^ My cable is the same.  Either 12 or 15'.  Can't remember if it was Ted or Darktrain, but I want to say Ted.

I will say: one plus of having XLR instead of 1/4" is the ability to lengthen it with other XLR cables if needed, but when getting a feed I don't recall ever needing more as I'm usually set up within ~10' of the board.

(https://i.imgur.com/H4UPkuu.jpg)
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: Gordon on August 06, 2018, 04:35:07 PM
I keep a very short set of interconnects on channels 3&4.  I have both a 10' & 3' set of stubby xlr's that I always carry and a short (3' I think) 1/4" > xlr male.  oh and a short rca > xlr male.  with those I can take anything and connect it to the short permanent interconnects.  All this in a TINY bag.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1804/41556827490_b10bb5cded_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/26jeAZG)2018-02-01 12.11.01 (https://flic.kr/p/26jeAZG) by Gordon Wilson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonlw/), on Flickr


(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/837/41556825770_51ab21b7a2_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/26jeAu3)2018-02-01 12.11.15 (https://flic.kr/p/26jeAu3) by Gordon Wilson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonlw/), on Flickr


(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1802/41556824470_81171850fe_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/26jeA6C)2018-02-13 10.24.55 (https://flic.kr/p/26jeA6C) by Gordon Wilson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonlw/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: jbell on August 06, 2018, 05:09:28 PM
^ where are you gonna put our patch bay in the bag??   :-*
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: Gordon on August 06, 2018, 05:10:13 PM
^ where are you gonna put our patch bay in the bag??   :-*

you have plenty of room
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: checht on August 07, 2018, 01:15:18 AM
So, I think I'll just carry one of my existing xlr-xlr cable pairs, and 2 sets of 2 adapters: XLR3M to 1/4" and XLR3M to RCA female.

One more question: should the 1/4" be mono or stereo? I figure mono, but do any boards output balanced over 1/4"?

My bag can fit regular XLRs on both sides of the MP-6 I'm going to upgrade to.

(Just recorded 19 hours using 2 decks; not looking forward to evening out run times and syncing it all. Time for more channels on one deck.)

Thanks a lot for all the input. Gear fetish in full effect.

~Chris
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: willndmb on August 07, 2018, 09:17:08 AM
^ My cable is the same.  Either 12 or 15'.  Can't remember if it was Ted or Darktrain, but I want to say Ted.

I will say: one plus of having XLR instead of 1/4" is the ability to lengthen it with other XLR cables if needed, but when getting a feed I don't recall ever needing more as I'm usually set up within ~10' of the board.

(https://i.imgur.com/H4UPkuu.jpg)
this is basically what I have (and never use) but due to my recorder it is 1/8 vs 1/4.
Then the four adapters
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: ThePiedPiper on August 15, 2018, 01:13:10 PM
Gordon, BEAUTIFUL setup. Nicely done. I dream of something like that.
 :cheers:
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: Gordon on August 16, 2018, 12:13:14 PM
Gordon, BEAUTIFUL setup. Nicely done. I dream of something like that.
 :cheers:

thanks!  it's a little too small at times but my back thanks me and I make it work.
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: rigpimp on August 19, 2018, 01:33:01 PM
I carry a set of RCA > RCA and a handful of RCA adapters, primarily RCA > 1/4", RCA > XLR, and RCA > 1/8". 

I think that I may still have a pair of RA XLR > RCA hanging on my bag too.  Probably out of habit.

My back recently reminded me that I need to slim my gear down too.  At least the SLA and DVD batteries are all gone.
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: Chuck on August 30, 2018, 01:24:16 PM
I made this adaptor a while back:

(http://www.timebetweenthenotes.com/img/images_sbd%20patch/sbdpatch_med.jpg)

http://www.timebetweenthenotes.com/review_sbdpatch.html

I made it so I could use it with typical mic cables. The little female RCA connector allows someone else to patch in too if needed.
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: willndmb on August 31, 2018, 09:18:02 AM
I made this adaptor a while back:

(http://www.timebetweenthenotes.com/img/images_sbd%20patch/sbdpatch_med.jpg)

http://www.timebetweenthenotes.com/review_sbdpatch.html

I made it so I could use it with typical mic cables. The little female RCA connector allows someone else to patch in too if needed.
thats sweet
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: Chuck on August 31, 2018, 10:07:24 AM
Thanks. The only other adaptor I carry is an RCA to stereo 1/8" plug. With that I've got every line output option covered.
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: lsd2525 on September 21, 2018, 11:22:34 AM
^ where are you gonna put our patch bay in the bag??   :-*

you have plenty of room

Where did you guys get that patch bay? Something like that would be ideal at Pisgah for Marcus King
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: rippleish20 on September 21, 2018, 12:39:28 PM
^ where are you gonna put our patch bay in the bag??   :-*

you have plenty of room

Where did you guys get that patch bay? Something like that would be ideal at Pisgah for Marcus King

I believe Gordon went with

Henry Engineering PatchBox II

but these are also reliable if you want XLR only

Whirlwind SPLIT 6 Line Level XLR Splitter Tool

I have both and they great.
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: jbell on September 21, 2018, 02:34:39 PM
I can't remember where Gordon ordered it from, but I would go with B&H since they have them in stock.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/357741-REG/Henry_Engineering_PATCHBOX_II_Patch_Box_II.html?ap=y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI75GshN7M3QIV1IuzCh2SNwaoEAQYASABEgK7hfD_BwE&smp=y

^ where are you gonna put our patch bay in the bag??   :-*

you have plenty of room

Where did you guys get that patch bay? Something like that would be ideal at Pisgah for Marcus King
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: lsd2525 on September 21, 2018, 02:59:48 PM
I can't remember where Gordon ordered it from, but I would go with B&H since they have them in stock.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/357741-REG/Henry_Engineering_PATCHBOX_II_Patch_Box_II.html?ap=y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI75GshN7M3QIV1IuzCh2SNwaoEAQYASABEgK7hfD_BwE&smp=y

^ where are you gonna put our patch bay in the bag??   :-*

you have plenty of room

Where did you guys get that patch bay? Something like that would be ideal at Pisgah for Marcus King

1/4' inputs? No XLR? Interesting
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: capnhook on September 21, 2018, 03:25:00 PM
I can't remember where Gordon ordered it from, but I would go with B&H since they have them in stock.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/357741-REG/Henry_Engineering_PATCHBOX_II_Patch_Box_II.html?ap=y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI75GshN7M3QIV1IuzCh2SNwaoEAQYASABEgK7hfD_BwE&smp=y

^ where are you gonna put our patch bay in the bag??   :-*

you have plenty of room

Where did you guys get that patch bay? Something like that would be ideal at Pisgah for Marcus King

1/4' inputs? No XLR? Interesting

Yes, 1/4" balanced input.  I had Ted make me 2 eight-foot cables, 1/4" TRSM to XLRF, and 1/4" TRSM to XLRM.

Convenient that way, so when I set up, I end up plugging into the 1/4" TRSF's on each end, to keep the middle connectors section open for patchers.
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: jbell on September 21, 2018, 04:34:41 PM
We are using a set of these cables!!  They are cheap and I have had a set for SBD for a few years and they have worked great.  I think Gordon bought Straight 1/4's for running into the patch bay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio2000s-E14112-12-Ft-1-4-TRS-Right-Angle-to-XLR-Male-Cable/221418530865?epid=1127019722&hash=item338d92a831

I can't remember where Gordon ordered it from, but I would go with B&H since they have them in stock.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/357741-REG/Henry_Engineering_PATCHBOX_II_Patch_Box_II.html?ap=y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI75GshN7M3QIV1IuzCh2SNwaoEAQYASABEgK7hfD_BwE&smp=y

^ where are you gonna put our patch bay in the bag??   :-*

you have plenty of room

Where did you guys get that patch bay? Something like that would be ideal at Pisgah for Marcus King

1/4' inputs? No XLR? Interesting
Title: Re: Most compact SBD cabling kit?
Post by: Gordon on September 21, 2018, 05:14:26 PM
Jbell forgot the link.  I have a 10 foot set and a 6 foot set.  One will likely be left at the Salvage Station so all we have to do is connect the patchbay to the cables.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JY2A2HA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1