Topic: Elementary question: Cable ties

[dgale]

I use gaffer's tape for this - easy on, easy off, holds things securely and is adaptable to most situations.  I find a roll of gaffer's tape indispensable at shows.

[stevetoney]

I'm a little embarassed to ask such a basic question, but I searched "cable ties" and didn't see a good answer.  What do people use to secure cables to their stand?  I've got some of those velcro cable ties where you have to thread it together, and don't really like that - it never gets tight enough and is a bitch to use in the dark.  I've seen some big Shure ones on stands, but googling "Shure cable ties" doesn't seem to get it.  I've just been using small bits of tape, but that is a pain for a variety of reasons, and it looks crappy.

What do people like?

LOL.  Who does it look crappy to?  Stevie Wonder perhaps?    j/k

It's dark so I don't worry about looks anymore...but then I never worried too much about that. 

I personally like tape best...easy on, easy off, don't have to worry about losing anything. 

Second favorite is the same stuff you use, only I don't use the hole in the end.  I just wrap the velcro around in a sorta modified 'candy cane' manner.  This way I can keep hold of the one end as I tighten the velcro around the stand with the other, overlapping the velcro so it all holds tight.  I don't have any problems getting it nice and tight, but frankly tight is only important to me when it comes to ... well I'll keep sexual references out of one of my posts for a change. 

[datbrad]

Gaffer or duct tape is what I have used to secure the mic cables at the top below the stereo bar for over 2 decades of open concert taping. I don't secure the cables for looks.

Simply put, a hapless patron that grabs your stand and/or cables in the dark by mistake cannot easily cause your mics to be pulled off the stand and hit the floor when a strip of duct tape is used to secure the cables firmly to the mic stand at the top. I also occasional place a second strip at the base of the stand as well.

The velcro ties are neat and everything, but are only effective to keep the cables together and against the stand when no force is applied to the cables. Over the years, I have seen many a pair of mics hit the deck because they were not secured to the stand with tape, only velcro ties. Not something I ever want to experience. YMMV

[MULETAPER]

Ive used pipe cleaners I ALWAYS have them in my bag... they work good in a pinch for a few things...

[dgale]

Gaffer or duct tape is what I have used to secure the mic cables at the top below the stereo bar for over 2 decades of open concert taping. I don't secure the cables for looks.

Simply put, a hapless patron that grabs your stand and/or cables in the dark by mistake cannot easily cause your mics to be pulled off the stand and hit the floor when a strip of duct tape is used to secure the cables firmly to the mic stand at the top. I also occasional place a second strip at the base of the stand as well.

The velcro ties are neat and everything, but are only effective to keep the cables together and against the stand when no force is applied to the cables. Over the years, I have seen many a pair of mics hit the deck because they were not secured to the stand with tape, only velcro ties. Not something I ever want to experience. YMMV

I agree with all of this, other than I would avoid duct tape and stick strictly with gaffer's tape.  Duct tape leaves sticky residue on your cables, stand etc. and will also likely piss off the house engineer if you stick it to anything in the venue...they hate duct tape.  Gaffer's tape is cheap and universally useful for a zillion things at a show. 

[crossthreaded]

This what I use.  You can get a pack at lowes for 2 or 3 bucks that have 100 in them. I keep 5 or so on my cables and usually keep a roll in the bag as well.  I use them all over the house to keep my cables organized because that is one of my pet peeves.