Topic: How do you protect & carry your active cables?

[Chuck]

I just finished putting together "active" cables for my Audix Micro series capsules. I'm wondering how to best protect and carry them to and from the show?

[NOLAfishwater]

i just use a tupperware style container with foam inside. take your cables to wally world and find the size that fits your rig. then cut some foam and put it inside the container.

[page]

Mine are chopped about 2' behind the capsule cable entrance so I can disconnect them to put the caps in a travel case/area/etc and coil the rest of the cable up separately.

[DigiGal]

What make/part number cable did you use for your build?

It looks like a PortaBrace CS-B9 Stuff Sack (7" x 9") would work well.  I picked up a couple of these a few years back, they're nice for packing accessory's. 

[jbell]

Did you use Naiant PFA's to build the active cables??  Cool set of mics

I just finished putting together "active" cables for my Audix Micro series capsules. I'm wondering how to best protect and carry them to and from the show?

[Chuck]

Did you use Naiant PFA's to build the active cables??  Cool set of mics

Yes, I did.

[mfrench]

I use a mod'd steel clamshell cd "storage" case  (removed CD sleeves)

I put them mics in the box, w/ cables coiled and foams on the capsules.  The XLR ends go into a hand sewn neoprene sleeve to isolate them:

the neoprene is from some old fishing waders; their second life as audio gear.

I "flip" the neoprene sleeve into position, with the xlr's to the outside, parallel to the box sides, and the caps centered below them:


case closed:


This thing is really rugged. I could stand on it without damaging the box and its contents.
The fit is snug, without crushing, or damaging, to the foams, and the caps.

[Chuck]

All very good ideas.

I'm leaning toward sewing something out of pleather. I could sew separate pouches into it to keep the XLR's from knocking against the mics and each other that way.

I knew you guys would have some good ideas! Thanks! 

[Myco]

Wish I had some to protect. 

[Chuck]

What make/part number cable did you use for your build?

The cable is whatever cable Jon at Naiant uses for his PFA. I asked for 15 foot long cables on the PFA he made for me.

I just finished posting some of the details on my recording web site: http://www.timebetweenthenotes.com/review_audix.html

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Some good ideas in this thread.  Bookmarked.

[Hypnocracy]

Wish I had some to protect. 

I guess Chuck got tired of waiting for that other pair promised back in Xmas 2011...

[newplanet7]

Love mokes idea.
+t

[Myco]

Wish I had some to protect. 

I guess Chuck got tired of waiting for that other pair promised back in Xmas 2011...

I don't have any problems with that personally, life happens, I understand that a lot better myself recently. 

[Chuck]

I'm going to record a jazz band today and came up with this for now.

The capsules slip into the two pocket little bag. There is plenty of room in the cable organizer for the capsules and when I seal it all up they are protected by the rubber on the outside.

edit to add... 2nd picture

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Look, up in the sky!  It's a UFO!

Now I know why they call it "flying mics".

[RMayberry]

Chuck,

What do you use to mount them?
Basically how to run them while in the air?

 

[Chuck]

A couple of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/288078-REG/Audix_SMT_MICRO_SMT_MICRO_Shock_Mount_Stand.html

Like this...

[audBall]

Chuck, what's the inner diameter on those MICRO mounts?  Will the inner rubber part expand/give at all?

[Chuck]

Chuck, what's the inner diameter on those MICRO mounts?  Will the inner rubber part expand/give at all?

I'll check it when I'm home.
The rubber does give a little, as the Micro caps are a snug fit in there.

edit to add...

the Micro caps are 12mm in diameter. That'll give you an idea of what the fit is.

[audBall]

the Micro caps are 12mm in diameter. That'll give you an idea of what the fit is.

I was just coming back to post this as there isn't a spec sheet for the SMT MICRO mount.  I've been using the MC MICRO mounts from Audix but the plastic clamp portion is not quite as durable as I'd like.

[Chuck]

the plastic clamp portion is not quite as durable as I'd like.

I agree. Those Micro shocks are pricey, but well worth it.

[audBall]

I agree. Those Micro shocks are pricey, but well worth it.

I will say this....Audix is a great company, at least from my limited experience with them.  I snapped the C-portion of the clamp on a MC MICRO mount a while back trying to setup the nak700s.  I sent Audix an email asking if I could purchase replacements of just the plastic portion.  They responded kindly and said I could, however, they were so perplexed by the occurrence and said that they "haven't replaced 10 of these units in the last 3 years".  So, they sent me two new mounts free of charge.

I managed to snap one of those as well.    

[Myco]

I agree. Those Micro shocks are pricey, but well worth it.

I will say this....Audix is a great company, at least from my limited experience with them.  I snapped the C-portion of the clamp on a MC MICRO mount a while back trying to setup the nak700s.  I sent Audix an email asking if I could purchase replacements of just the plastic portion.  They responded kindly and said I could, however, they were so perplexed by the occurrence and said that they "haven't replaced 10 of these units in the last 3 years".  So, they sent me two new mounts free of charge.

I managed to snap one of those as well.   

Note to self... "Don't lend out shockmounts to audBall." ... 

[Chuck]

I agree. Those Micro shocks are pricey, but well worth it.

I will say this....Audix is a great company, at least from my limited experience with them.  I snapped the C-portion of the clamp on a MC MICRO mount a while back trying to setup the nak700s.  I sent Audix an email asking if I could purchase replacements of just the plastic portion.  They responded kindly and said I could, however, they were so perplexed by the occurrence and said that they "haven't replaced 10 of these units in the last 3 years".  So, they sent me two new mounts free of charge.

I managed to snap one of those as well.   

I have had very positive interaction with Audix repair as well. They have been excellent to deal with.

[audBall]

Note to self... "Don't lend out shockmounts to audBall." ... 

Definitely NOT your micros, that's for sure.   

[DigiGal]

Note to self... "Don't lend out shockmounts to audBall." ... 

Definitely NOT your micros, that's for sure.   

Rycote INV's are effectively indestructible if they'll fit your application.

[Myco]

Note to self... "Don't lend out shockmounts to audBall." ... 

Definitely NOT your micros, that's for sure.