Question about cables

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Sigma.Xiria

Sigma.Xiria

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So, I was told having really long cables from your guitar to amp can hurt your tone. I can see why this would be true, but is it actually?

In any case, I was wondering what length of cables should work well for me. currently I use a Mogami 18' straight from my guitar to amp, but I want to use my wah pedal. So, what length should I go from my guitar to wah, then wah to amp?

I guess all in all it comes down to if cable length really matters.

also, when I get the Diezel midi pedal (one day haha), what midi cable should I use if I want to use phantom power and does brand make a difference? My current midi cable is 25' and makes noise when it is plugged in :/
 
Capacitance plays a major role in a cable's flavoring or weakening of the tone or signal. I believe it's 20ft that's the minimum where length starts to affect the signal - maybe 40ft. A little research a la Google will square this up for ya :thumbsup:
 
Signal loss starts to happen with cable lengths 20' or more. A buffer can help degradation by converting your signal from high to low impedance. I use an old VHT Valvulator, Lehle and Radial Engineering also make high quality buffers. I like the Valvulator because it also has four or five isolated power outputs so I can power up some stomp boxes with any grounding issues.

Martin
 
This is one of the reasons why my setup is built so that my signal goes directly to my rack and never goes nor returns to my pedal board. Hence, rack wah and MIDI-controlled volume (VCA). You will get mad if you start analyzing this too deep, because you will start wondering what cables sound the best here and there. I have noticed even a difference that some cables are better combination for certain guitars. And when you change to wireless all this effort is wasted again.

Also buffers alter your tone. Usually they brighten it, which is not necessarily a positive effect.

I doubt none really recognizes any difference in your cables in live situations and in studio you should not use such complex setup nevertheless.


EDIT: ...in studio you should not use such...
 
i.ak":nbxdmkhk said:
I doubt none really recognizes any difference in your cables in live situations and in studio you should use such complex setup nevertheless.
Click to expand...

+1 on that. I don´t think anyone disputes the difference in cables, but I really can´t hear a difference when rehearsing or on stage. If you can I´m guessing you´re not concentrating on your playing enough. ;)
In the studio though, I would never use a cable longer than 10' from guitar to amp and always one of higher quality.
 
thanks for the awesome replies everyone :)

now, for a huge question, I decided I want to keep my signal path clear out front (Guitar>18ft cable>VH4). so, I will plug my wah into the loop (the not Send2 loop...) along with Flanger and Reverb. is this Ok? and will I need to take into consideration the cable length for that?

I guess I am thinking that there is an equation here... so if I have 18ft cable out front of the amp and, let's say, 25ft in the send loop and 25ft in the return loop (the not send 2 one.. I use that for my delay haha) then it would equal the 50ft in the loop plus the 18ft out front? So, 68ft total? I just need the wah, flanger and reverb out in front of me so I can hit them on and off.

is there a better way to do this? haha. I am slightly confused...
 
Why do you wanna do that? For what reason?
Buffer your signal path, that´s all!
 
I've done a ear test with a 40' and a 10' cable and honestly the difference was so small that we got another person in the room and did a blind test and they couldn't tell the difference at all. There's a small one but I'd rather use a 60' cable then wireless.......


-Alex
 
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