Users of high-end patch cables

Peter - Oregon

Peter - Oregon

Nov 21, 2021
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#1
I am putting together my first pedal board. I use Divine Noise cables (thedivinenoise.com) for my amp and guitar cables. I am considering using these for my board.

I am a home player, and very averse to extra noise in the system. It seems to me that running signal through several patch cables would be a weak link as far as noise goes. I know my son's guitar board is terribly noisy.

I am curious what your experience is. Did you take out less expensive cables and replace them with higher end ones? How were your results?
 
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#7
I play hand made, high-end patch cables because anything more expensive makes me play better. I think.

Caulfield Cables just made me some really nice patch cables for a unique configuration. Very pleased!

SA pedalboard Upper 3-4.jpg
 
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#12
I would worry more about the cables going into and out of your pedalboard (in from guitar, out to amp) as they are likely to be at least 10 times the length of your patch cables and will pick up FAR more noise. But of course, the more effect pedals you add, the noisier your signal will get. Not because of those ultra-short patch cables (as long as they're shielded and reasonably good quality) but because of the pedals themselves. If you're "very adverse to extra noise" you should keep the number of effect pedals to an absolutely minimum.

FWIW I find Sommer cables to have a really good price vs performance ratio. They're my favorites for anything guitar/studio related.
 
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#13
Redco is a terrific resource for all kinds of interconnects. They’ll make up cables to your specs at very reasonable prices and you can choose from a huge range of connectors and cable materials. As @agedhorse says, Neutrik/Switchcraft connectors and any decent cable (Canare, Mogami, Gotham, even the Redco house brand) will perform well for a long time.
 
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#14
RichSnyder said:
The only cables I've had issues with are the solder less kits. Almost all have failed.
Click to expand...
My guitar pedal board has a lot of patch cables because I use a loop switcher, and fitting everything in (relatively) neatly required quite a few custom patch lengths. I used a mix of Evidence Audio SIS and Disaster Area EVO patch cables, both solderless.

My bass pedal board has some of the EVO solderless where I needed custom lengths, and Ernie Ball flat cables in other spots.

Both SIS and EVO have been 100% reliable in use. I prefer the EVO because they're a lot easier to make and the cables are more flexible.

When I first got the Evidence kit it took a couple of goes before I got the hang of making them, so my first batch had a couple of failures at time of construction. But I check all homemade cables with a cable tester before I actually use them, and no cable that passed that test has failed later on my board, even after multiple layout changes.

When I don't need custom lengths I like the Ernie Ball flat cables a lot.

The only patch cables I've had problems with are the older generation EBS flat cables. Some got stuck in my pedals such that it took a bit of force to get them out, something that has never happened with any other brand. After that I wasn't willing to try their newer generation.
 
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#16
I have used these folks for longer instrument cables and speakons:

Audiopile, LLC - Audiopile Pro Audio / EWI Cables and Cases

I used George L's for years, and still have some around, but they are not that reliable. I haven't used other solderless jacks.

I think my Monster Cable Bass Edition (or whatever the exact name is) 6in cables sound as good as some 6in cables I got for free with a pedal which sound as good as the Amazon basics patch cables I bought for a patch bay.
 
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#18
Peter - Oregon said:
I am putting together my first pedal board. I use Divine Noise cables (thedivinenoise.com) for my amp and guitar cables. I am considering using these for my board.

I am a home player, and very averse to extra noise in the system. It seems to me that running signal through several patch cables would be a weak link as far as noise goes. I know my son's guitar board is terribly noisy.

I am curious what your experience is. Did you take out less expensive cables and replace them with higher end ones? How were your results?
Click to expand...
The worst noise I've found with pedalboards is usually the power supply. If it's not an isolated power supply, or if it's mounted close to a susceptible pedal, it can cause a lot of noise. It's not a sexy thing to spend money on, but it's kind of like the foundation of your house.

That being said, I used to make my own cables (someone mentioned Redco; I've given them a lot of business!), but really prefer the flat, premade cables by EBS. I have some of Warwick's Rockboard cables as well, but a couple of them have popped the covers off, so I'm sticking with EBS.

Warning!

\rant-on

On a separate note: why are we still using 1/4" plugs designed for ancient telecom systems? If we could move to something else, not only would the cables be less bulky, but the pedals themselves could be much smaller without that much plug penetrating them? Maybe use strat-style jacks on pedals to make the pedals smaller? Sorry, planning a pedalboard and questioning the current state of things.

\rant-off

Enjoy the journey!
 
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#19
I just looked up Divine Noise Cables, never heard of them before. Looks like decent stuff with legit connectors. Cable companies are good with their marketing lingo though.
This from their mic cable page made me laugh..........

"Until now, the cable world has been entirely without a microphone cable with two - yes, we said two - 20 AWG stranded center conductor cables WITH double spiraled shielding. The advantage of having two 20 AWG conductors is that you pass more of your signal, giving you a fuller, clearer sound. The spiraled shielding (instead of braided) makes for a flatter laying and easier coiling cable. Size, maneuverability, and quality are essential parts of getting the best and most reliable signal from your instruments to its audience."

Every balance line mic cable has two conductors, 20awg is nothing new, there are probably Belden 8412 mic cables older and still in use than some of people at Divine Noise.
For what it's worth I use a lot of Canare L-2T2S.
 
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