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Author Topic: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?  (Read 26136 times)

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Offline StuStu

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #45 on: January 20, 2012, 06:30:54 PM »
All I have to add is that I loves me some gaffer tape. :D
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Offline hi and lo

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #46 on: January 20, 2012, 07:34:37 PM »
Chris and I have synced up privately and I would just like everyone know that any personal issues we have are, hopefully, resolved. We both would rather be friends than adversaries and have realized our frustrations were probably not expressed in the best possible manner.

Happy taping and good luck with whatever gear you run and however you choose to run it!

Offline Church-Audio

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #47 on: January 20, 2012, 07:39:49 PM »
Chris and I have synced up privately and I would just like everyone know that any personal issues we have are, hopefully, resolved. We both would rather be friends than adversaries and have realized our frustrations were probably not expressed in the best possible manner.

Happy taping and good luck with whatever gear you run and however you choose to run it!

 :-* Your a good guy. I am sorry. Life is way to short to argue over gaff tape! Thanks for reaching out.

for warranty returns email me at
EMAIL Sales@church-audio.com

adrianf74

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #48 on: January 21, 2012, 08:58:05 AM »
I've said it before, I'll say it again.  I've *NEVER* had an issue with using a 3.5mm (or 1/8") connection EVER.  Maybe I've been lucky but I'm generally "kid gloves" with all of my gear and that's why I've always been able to sell it for good money at the end of the day.

A locking connector may be better but if you ensure your mini jack cables are all plugged in properly, you'll have no issues.   

Must admit the debate between Chris and Hi and Lo was a good read. :)

Offline it-goes-to-eleven

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #49 on: January 21, 2012, 12:46:02 PM »
I've *NEVER* had an issue with using a 3.5mm (or 1/8") connection EVER.  Maybe I've been lucky but I'm generally "kid gloves" with all of my gear and that's why I've always been able to sell it for good money at the end of the day.

What is this "sell gear" you speak of?  That may be your mistake right there - selling gear.  If you were serious about your taping, you would not sell gear.

Ever been in a mosh pit at a primus show, holding down the fort with the Zman?

Ever had Iggy Pop stage dive on you while you were in the pit?

I have.  Fortunately, my taper instincts were spot on, and I was able to leap out of the way at the last moment, protecting my rig.  The rig was fine.  Iggy did not fare so well. Fortunately, there were some folding chairs there to catch him.  They did not look comfortable.  Was I supposed to catch him, or something?  My game was good - you can't even hear him writhing on the chairs in pain.

I have never, ever had an xlr or mini xlr fail me because it wasn't plugged in all the way, or had been dislodged.  Miniplug- YES.  Those things are shit.

Offline edtyre

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #50 on: January 22, 2012, 02:24:22 AM »
Well i NEVER had an issue with a mini jack UNTIL i started gaff taping the cable to my recorder
and or preamp!! Before i started this practice i had lots of problems. How about when you have to get up from
your seat to let folks get by and you have the recorder in your pocket? Or packed tight at a GA show with people
bumping up against you? It is such a flimsy connection that taping the cable is the only way to be sure of pulling
a tape without any cable issues.

music>mics>pre>recorder

Offline anr

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #51 on: January 22, 2012, 03:46:44 AM »
From a purely commercial viewpoint, my view is that if you returned a faulty cable, or unit it connects to, with adhesive residue on it, any supplier would be within his rights to say "warranty void due to abuse".  As Mr Church says, it screws cables but perhaps more importantly it attacks the electrical connection like acid. 

But from a purely practical viewpoint, taping down the cable to provide strain relief is probably quite sensible; the old Edirol RO-9 and it's appalling mic/line in design is the obvious example.

Applying any tape in such a manner is taboo in, for example, the aircraft industry as the outcome can be catastrophic.  But to a $400 taping rig where no-one is harmed if it goes wrong?  Let common sense prevail.  (I use a rubber band).   

Offline it-goes-to-eleven

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #52 on: January 22, 2012, 12:46:55 PM »
From a purely commercial viewpoint, my view is that if you returned a faulty cable, or unit it connects to, with adhesive residue on it, any supplier would be within his rights to say "warranty void due to abuse".  As Mr Church says, it screws cables but perhaps more importantly it attacks the electrical connection like acid. 

Of course, I don't care what people use... I prefer to use velcro whenever possible.  But some things can only be reasonably done with gaffer tape.   Like attaching a battery securely to a v3.

What you describe sounds like a company looking for an excuse to void a warranty.  Residue doesn't kill gear.  Who puts tape on electrical contacts?  That would be a different case, and extreme example.  That is one of the design faults of minijacks - the contacts are exposed, most commonly to finger oils.

Look at gaffer tape use in the film making industry.  When they are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars per hour (or in extreme cases, millions per shot), you employ people whose sole function is to gaffer tape the hell out of everything.

And with gaffer tape, residue is not likely unless the tape has been in place for more than 1.5 years (depending on environment).  The other case where residue might become a problem is when the heat has been somewhat extreme.  Inside a bag in summer, with hot gear, there can be temps that exceed the temp range for gaffer tape adhesive.  If you remove the tape under those conditions, the adhesive does not stay cohesive, and there can be residue.

I put gaffer tape on my cameras to improve the grip.  If you pinch it and stick it to itself, you can even create little ridges. I also put it in high wear spots to prevent wear.  The head of my Gitzo tripod is covered in gaffer tape to prevent nicks from rocks and other objects.

One of the neat things about GT is how many times I can re-use a piece.  I'll stick my "spares" on the surface of my dvd batteries, or on the legs of a stand.

Fwiw, I use common "duct tape" for almost nothing.  Hate the stuff, and the nasty adhesive.  Proper "duct tape", made of aluminum sheet, is neat stuff and useful for some situations where nothing else will really do.  It also tends to do well when subjected to moderate heat, because of the intended use on hot ducts.  Though I don't think I have ever used it with my recording gear.


Offline Church-Audio

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #53 on: January 22, 2012, 02:13:38 PM »
God are we still talking about Gaff tape? If I had the choice I would always choose velcro over gaff tape for securing a connection if you feel you must. And Yes the film industry does use gaff but I have been on 100s of sets and never seen anyone ever use it for cables on ac cables they use it all the time but that cable is much stronger than the thin cable used for mics..... They use rubber mats or cable tunnels. Or nothing if its not in the way. Again to each his own but if you think for one second the thin mogami wire I use and many other mic companies use cant be damaged by having to rip gaff tape from it think again. It does damage the cables. Thats why I say no to gaff tape. I have never had to use it unless it was a corporate gig. The companies I worked for would use carpet or cable tunnels and gaff the carpet down long before we would ever use tape on cables. So if you might damage your cables with gaff getting it off, if it gets stuck on there and it does from time to time. But you wont if you use velcro what's the argument? And if cables came to me that were all sticky from tape yeah I would void the warranty on my mics. I would charge the customer a fee to recable the mics. Wear and tear on cables happens not to many company's have any kind of warranty on cables. Anyway I was only speaking to my customers when I said please dont use gaff tape. If you need locking connectors I sell them and they are available on all the preamps I sell. In the end to each his or her own. This is just my opinion I never said it was the only opinion to have everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.

for warranty returns email me at
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Offline thunderbolt

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #54 on: January 23, 2012, 07:35:27 PM »
Chris and I have synced up privately and I would just like everyone know that any personal issues we have are, hopefully, resolved. We both would rather be friends than adversaries and have realized our frustrations were probably not expressed in the best possible manner.

Happy taping and good luck with whatever gear you run and however you choose to run it!

 :-* Your a good guy. I am sorry. Life is way to short to argue over gaff tape! Thanks for reaching out.

One of the things I appreciate about TS is the general civility and ethical conduct (e.g. pretty safe buying and selling, loaners, etc.).  There are other websites I used to visit, but I couldn't stand what they devolved into.  Thanks for patching things up--we could all take a lesson.


Offline Church-Audio

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #55 on: January 23, 2012, 07:51:31 PM »
Chris and I have synced up privately and I would just like everyone know that any personal issues we have are, hopefully, resolved. We both would rather be friends than adversaries and have realized our frustrations were probably not expressed in the best possible manner.

Happy taping and good luck with whatever gear you run and however you choose to run it!

 :-* Your a good guy. I am sorry. Life is way to short to argue over gaff tape! Thanks for reaching out.

One of the things I appreciate about TS is the general civility and ethical conduct (e.g. pretty safe buying and selling, loaners, etc.).  There are other websites I used to visit, but I couldn't stand what they devolved into.  Thanks for patching things up--we could all take a lesson.
it really is silly to argue over stupid shit we are all just trying to help one another that's the real reason why this board is here we are all socialist!! :)
for warranty returns email me at
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Offline cybergaloot

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #56 on: January 23, 2012, 07:53:21 PM »
we are all socialist!! :)

Oh, shit! Here comes the political arguments!  ;)
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this>that>the other

Offline Duconlajoie

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #57 on: April 06, 2012, 09:09:34 PM »
As I don't see how it can be done, if someone can explain me how to secure a connection with a velcro band between cables and preamp/recorder it would be nice. I didn't think about that matter before ordering my preamp, hope to have not made a mistake. Heavy metal shows in the pit are usually not quiet !

Offline George2

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #58 on: June 07, 2012, 12:06:28 PM »
OK.. some much talk of gaffer tape leaving residue on cables, which can be cleaned with lighter-fluid.
Just picked up a couple rolls of this stuff.....no residue!
http://industrytape.com/
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Couple of Schoeps CMT441 too.

Offline Church-Audio

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Re: what problems with cheap mini jack cable on a recording?
« Reply #59 on: June 07, 2012, 12:27:35 PM »
OK.. some much talk of gaffer tape leaving residue on cables, which can be cleaned with lighter-fluid.
Just picked up a couple rolls of this stuff.....no residue!
http://industrytape.com/
You don't want to use lighter fluid on cables it drys the natural oils out of the cable and breaks down some plastics.....
for warranty returns email me at
EMAIL Sales@church-audio.com

 

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