Speaker Cable vs. Audio/Mic/Instrument Cable

[Jersey Garcia]

I'm wondering if I should be using speaker cable to send the master outs from my Motu Ultralite into an input channel of my PA system or if I should use instrument/audio/mic cable?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[Tone Deft]

doesn't matter.

[Jersey Garcia]

why not? can't the shielding/no shielding present a problem?

[Tone Deft]

where are you going to connect the shielding? if it's not grounded it's just an antenna waiting to couple to a noise source.

a PA should have balanced inputs, if you're concerned, use that.

if you haven't had a problem why go looking for problems?

[Hidden Driveways]

I'm wondering if I should be using speaker cable to send the master outs from my Motu Ultralite into an input channel of my PA system or if I should use instrument/audio/mic cable?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

No. Speaker cables are for connecting a power amplifier to unpowered speakers.

[Tone Deft]

I'm wondering if I should be using speaker cable to send the master outs from my Motu Ultralite into an input channel of my PA system or if I should use instrument/audio/mic cable?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

No. Speaker cables are for connecting a power amplifier to unpowered speakers.

you're right in that it's a low current connection but it's still better to use too thick of a wire than too thin of a wire (skin effect). speaker wire is thicker than instrument/audio/mic cable.

[Hidden Driveways]

How thick is lamp wire?

[Tone Deft]

I love lamp cord and the mythology of speaker wire.

it's usually 18 gauge.

[Jersey Garcia]

i just started playing with a band and i'm wondering what to use... i don't feel like disconnecting my studio monitors each time we rehearse so i need to pick up the proper cables. So if I'm correct, there's no need to get speaker cable and instrument cables should do the trick?

[Tone Deft]

use what you have, then see if there's a problem.

if the PA has a balanced input, use that. when you say the input channel on your PA, what is that input? what piece of hardware?

if you want nice thick cable, buy lamp cord, it works just as well as the stuff Monster Cable will sell you at a fraction of the price. just make sure you put quality connectors on it.

check it, 250 feet for $46.50.
http://www.nationalartcraft.com/subcate ... =1&scid=12

[mdb]

Why the fuck do you think its called Speaker cable? Just for fun?

[monolake]

(OT but not... http://consumerist.com/362926/do-coat-h ... ter-cables

[Jersey Garcia]

i'm not sure if the PA has a balanced input. i've been sending left and right into input 5 on a yamaha emx312sc pa mixer.

how do i know if it is balanced or not?

[monolake]

it should be written somewhere in the manual.

But don't get too confused. if you have instrument cables and it works with them - use them.
if you have mic cables and it sounds alright - use them.

if you get severe hum etc... you'll need to investigate further. but if not, all is fine.

Robert

[Tone Deft]

(OT but not... http://consumerist.com/362926/do-coat-h ... ter-cables

I love that video. it's too easy to bullshit people over audio quality.

Why the fuck do you think its called Speaker cable? Just for fun?

so they can charge you $50 for $5 worth of wire.


it's the same crap with HDMI cables. in one store I can buy 15 feet for $20, in another they'll charge $120.