Comments on: 5 Cables Every Beginner DJ Should Know

By: Muxxex

Muxxex — Fri, 07 May 2010 00:08:17 +0000

Thanks a ton for expanding on the cables Bobdole.

Agreed, if you can clearly explain what you need to your sound guy, it's going to give them much less of a headache.

Additionally, if you can label them it will help.

One important thing to mention is how important it is to take care of your cables. Don't just wrap them around your arm because you can break the wires inside. Likewise, keep them in a dry storage container away from the rest of the gear to organize and keep them from being worn out.

Even though a cable may only cost $30, it's still out of your pocket when you have to pick them up over and over again.

By: bobdole

bobdole — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:16:29 +0000

So top to bottom, left to right, we have mini TRS, TRS, RCA (really should just use a phono cable just red and white), XLR to TS, XLR male/female then you've got USB, and either micro or mini USB, and firewire 4 and 6 conductor followed by MIDI. It really helps out your sound guy if you know the right terms for your cables also look and figure out which IEC connector you need for powering your devices for example most PCs need c13s but an iMac G4 uses a c5, and some laptops use c7's

By: Muxxex

Muxxex — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:14:39 +0000

Oh definitely man

I've been to a few parties where it's just rocking and then the music cuts off, everyone is standing around thinking wtf mate?!, the cables messed up (amp blew up and fried em) and they were scrambling for an hour looking for cables.

Plus people sometimes steal em.

By: dwyndal

dwyndal — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:29:39 +0000

Wow great feed of information here, I can't express enough behind your point in carrying extra cables. These cables are mechanical (physical) units and they can and will break, deteriorate and build resistance (years). While agreeing with knowing your cables and having extras, my one additional point is to carry enough cables / surge protectors to handle your own set up. If you are mobile or a unique DJ who likes their own versus house equipment...trust your cables not theirs. Sure you might need to patch into their sound board but that's last case scenario. Do not fail because you lack cables and power.

The one tip, i'd suggest when you have extra cash or feel something amiss might arise, as a safety insurance to your sound and set up, know, learn and carry adapters between all these cables in your set up. I have sent over a 1/4 to RCA / or even to phone line using adapters to make ends meet. Nothing worse than running out of input slots.

Great batch of information here MUXX!

Cheers,
~D

By: Muxx

Muxx — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:43:24 +0000

Thanks for the comment man!

You can never completely trust a promoter, much agreed, so carry extra gear just in case!

By: Dwyndal

Dwyndal — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:41:22 +0000

Great tips Muxx, I agree learn your cables. If you don’t and you are stranded you have to carry them around with you. I also can’t stress having extras – 2-3 over what you need, these are cables and might break, wear out or even deteriorate. It might also be wise to have some adaptors between one format to the other, saved my hide a few times.

Last tip of advice, if you travel with your decks or mixer and your client / club tells you they have cables. Do not trust them they have what you need. Always carry your own gear, besides cables going bad they also lose sound quality over time due to resistance. ~granted this takes years, but hey we’re in the audio industry.