DIY tips for cable management

[aglide]

I use the Neutrik colored boots for XLRs and assign different band members their own color. I have Redco Audio make them custom using the BXX boots:

BXX-* - Neutrik

Over-Under wrapping is a must. I shy away from Velcro ties because I hate how they collect hair. Instead, I use these types of ties (they don't fit lower gauge cables):

D'Addario Planet Waves Elastic Cable Ties 10 Pack

For lower gauge cables, these come in handy:

BongoTies - Handy Elastic Tie Wraps for Cables and Other Unruly Items

I use milk crates to transport them. I like how the crates are stackable in the back of my Honda Element. I've used the milk crates at gigs in sevearl different ways, such as stacking two of them to create a mixer stand. At one gig the height of the stage was equal to two milk crates, so we used them as monitor stands to free up room on the stage. I also like to store the cables in the milk crates at home, which fit perfectly in an IKEA Kellax shelving unit in the rehearsal space:

KALLAX series - IKEA

I've found these to be awesome when daisy chaining powered speakers:

Amazon.com: Hosa PWD-401 Piggyback IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P Power Cord, 1 foot: Musical Instruments

Last but not least, these can be used to transform a typical IEC power cable into an extension cable to chain two of them together to get a further reach:

Amazon.com: SF Cable, 3 prong Plug Adapter, USA NEMA 5-15R to IEC 60320-C14: Electronics

 

[4Mal]

I use the over under method o wrap. It works for me. One of my engineers use the jump rope method. When we work shows together I wrap my cables, he wraps his. He uses yellow over Red electrical tape as his marker. I use green for XlR and 1/4", blue for DMx.

I have a dedicated gym bag for my band. 2 bars, 2 extension cords. N+2 XLR's in a variety of lengths. 4 1/4" instrument cables, 3 for me plus a spare. 25' 6x2 Stage snake, spare DI. Ben using that setup about 5 years.

For sound company stuff I use 6 tubs. Sandra length mic cables in one, stage snakes, adaptors, shorts and longs in another, outlet bars and various power disco in another, 8, 4 and 2 way speaking for my 'passive' rig in one, the others are lighting stuff.

The walls of my truck support a bunch of 14, 12 and 10 ext cords, Cords with boxes, multi-Outlet cords for power DI to on md around the stage. Also 3 or 4 100' mic cables that don't come out to play very often. All those are hung in Husky Velcro slings from Home Depot. They have snap hooks and I hang those on s hooks that slip over the side rails. It took me a couple of years to get my process and style sorted out. This all works for mend for the crews I use to staff events. Other than teaching the over/underthing, this is easy.

We do use a Hannah reel for a 150' 24 x 8 snake. That will be outta here soon as I snagged a stage box for my Soundcraft board. 32 by 16 via MADI over CAT5. Looking forward to busting that out!

I think it is super important to be organized and also to be kind to your tools. How you get there is entirely up to you but... if you stuff one of my events you're doing it my way. Even if it's slower. You're on the clock and what is important to me is that the next time stuff rolls off the truck, I want it exactly where I know it should be...

 

[Engle]

I redid all of my cables, sort of, and color coded the Neutrik XLR with these:
Neutrik XXR-2 Colored Coding Rings for XX Series Connectors - Red

They not only help me identify cable length, but for mics, I give the same color to the same band member each gig.

Whole slew of them for different types of XLR, as well as 1/4"
Markertek - Search Results for colored neutrik

Truth be told, no real issue with 1/4" for me, as they're individual instrument cables - change the connector color, or for me, the cable color.

BTW, not that I have any horse in Canare's race, but I use both the GS-6 for instrument cable, and the L-4E6S for balanced cables, in different colors. Yeah, mostly black, but I like Red, and my guitar player likes orange for his MI cable.

Wrapped properly, and small velcro for each cable, and a large velcro to wrap at least 2 together of similar sizes/color/whatever, stacked into a backpack (just because my kids get new ones for school each year, I take "last year's" one).

Note: the BEST thing about the colored XLR, especially if you're running direct to the board, is you no doubt know which channel any given player is on, whether coming from a mic or DI.

How do you install those without removing one end? Never mind - I just realized the end comes off when you unscrew the boot...