Cheap Mic Cables

Shopping on a budget

In these difficult economic times we are all trying to find good deals when we can. Even in good economic times we like to get a good deal. The problem is that when it comes to sound equipment, most of the time you get what you pay for. Often we choose to sacrifice some level of sound quality in order to fit our budget. This is fine. Budgets are a real thing that we all have to deal with.

Why do people settle for cheap cables?

Choosing a reliable product over one that looks equally impressive and has the same or greater features for less money but may be unreliable is not an easy task. Often reviews and newsgroups feature many self proclaimed experts that love everything that they purchase. At least for a while. Most people write reviews within a few days or weeks of their purchase when they're still excited about the new toy.

Often low quality mic cords look just like good mic cords. There are several good brands but most manufacturers sell both low and high grade products. That's when a relationship with a trustworthy sound equipment dealer in invaluable.

What can go wrong?

As I visit churches attempting to help them with problems one of the most common is buzzes in the system. These problems are sometime complex ground-loop issues, which can usually be solved with a HumX, but most of the time the problem is defective microphone cables. This can be caused by crimped connectors used in cheap cables, or by low quality twisted-shield cable.

How to choose quality mic cables

Unless you want problems, only use mic cables that are made with high quality braided card and high quality soldered connectors. When in doubt ask a pro sound engineer what he uses. Service calls are usually more expensive than the difference in the cables and the frustration is priceless.

Some examples of quality mic cables

• CBI - ML Ulitmate
• RapcoHorizon - Concert Series or Venue Series
• Pro Co Sound - Lifelines or Ameriquad