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#1
02-21-2019, 12:15 PM
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XLR Cable Length
I know this may seem arbitrary, but I’m expanding my rig and I need advice on XLR cable length. I’ll be running acoustic guitar and vocals through my Helix to two Headrush FRFR 112s in stereo. What would be a safe cable length to run to the speakers? I know 10’ is too short. I have the feeling 50’ is too long. Is 30’ pretty standard for a rig like this?
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_______________________________________________ Acoustic:Taylor 614ce (2015) First Edition  Electric: Fender Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Plus Top (Aged Cherry Burst) TC Helicon Play Acoustic Line 6 Helix Line 6 Spider V 120 
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#2
02-21-2019, 12:27 PM
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Signal loss in the audio range is very very small even at 1000 feet.
Go with whatever length you need.
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"My opinion is worth every penny you paid for it." "If you try to play like someone else, Who will play like you". Quote from Johnny Gimble The only musician I have to impress today is the musician I was yesterday. No tubes, No capos, No Problems.
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#3
02-21-2019, 01:01 PM
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I'd use a 15-20' cable and another 20' to add to it if needed.
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Current: 1952 Gibson J-45 - Schatten HFN passive / Fishman Matrix Infinity 1983 Washburn Timber Ridge Custom - Fishman Onboard Prefix Premium Blend & - Schatten HFN passive 2016 Gibson J-45 Standard - Fishman Onboard Prefix Premium Blend & - Schatten HFN passive backup Tonedexter & Sunnaudio Stage DI 1990 Yamaha FS-310 Past: 1995 Martin D-28 2015 Eastman E10SS
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#4
02-21-2019, 02:23 PM
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How big is the stage you're playing on? The whole point of a balanced cable like XLR is the ability to send longer distances without signal degradation due to interference. As BBG said, we're talking 1000 feet before you get performance issues.
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#5
02-21-2019, 02:45 PM
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30+ footers are tough to manage well. I'd go for 20 or 25 footers max.
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As my username suggests, huge fan of Yamaha products. Own many acoustic-electric models from 2009-present and a couple electric. Lots of PA too.
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#6
02-21-2019, 03:04 PM
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I always keep my cables as short as possible, long enough to reach as far as needed in the venues I play in, but no longer. While signal degradation isn't much of an issue for XLRs of most practical lengths, the longer a cable is, the heavier and bulkier it is when coiled, and the more extra cable there can be to clutter up the stage when the length is greater than required.
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#7
02-21-2019, 03:45 PM
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Since we’ve established that you’re good to 1000ft. the question should be what are the longest cables you’ll need. After I made that calculation I’d add at least 10ft. and go from there. I disagree that there’s any difference in managing a 25 to 35ft. cable - it’s just a few more wraps. You can’t extend shorter cables, actually you can but that means carrying additional cables. You can always coil extra cable under your speaker stands.
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Taylor V-Class 814ce, 717e BE WHB, 520ce, 454ce, 420 Cedar\Maple, T5z Classic Martin D18E Retro Cordoba C10 Crossover Emerald X20 Rainsong H-OM1000N2 Voyage-Air VAD-04 Custom Les Paul Hot Rod Deville 410, Fishman Loudbox Performer
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#8
02-21-2019, 03:54 PM
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I'd rather bring a 10', a 15', and a 20' and use the shortest length that I needed at any given gig. I'd be good up to 45' if I needed to connect them all.
Even 3 - 5 10' cables would work. Much easier to manage imo.
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Current: 1952 Gibson J-45 - Schatten HFN passive / Fishman Matrix Infinity 1983 Washburn Timber Ridge Custom - Fishman Onboard Prefix Premium Blend & - Schatten HFN passive 2016 Gibson J-45 Standard - Fishman Onboard Prefix Premium Blend & - Schatten HFN passive backup Tonedexter & Sunnaudio Stage DI 1990 Yamaha FS-310 Past: 1995 Martin D-28 2015 Eastman E10SS
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#9
02-21-2019, 05:38 PM
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I bought one of these it handles all my needs . Mine is 25 ft but it’s really only
One cord to wrap up. https://www.proaudiola.com/product-p...SABEgJ6q_D_BwE
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#10
02-21-2019, 05:42 PM
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Decent and safe cable placement often requires the cable take a meandering path to the PA speaker. Even if the speakers are only each 10 feet away from the output jack, a 20 foot cable may not be enough. In addition, it is common for the output source (e.g., mixer) to not be equidistant from the each speaker, requiring more cable length for one side or the other.
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#11
02-21-2019, 07:32 PM
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The trick is to figure out how you want to set your stage and stick to it. I carry a 12ft and 20ft in my gig bag for vocal mic and amp mic. My PA system gets it own suitcase to hold the cables needed, though I hardly use it any more since I got my Bose compact.
I don't bother with anything thing longer than 20ft, and I am fastidious about proper wrapping, etc.
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#12
02-21-2019, 08:12 PM
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I carry several lengths, 3 metre, 6m and 10m. rolled with velcro ties. If you consider you may need to run a cable along the wall perhaps across the 'stage' area then up 2m at your stands...well it gets longer pretty quickly. Whatever is neat and gets there is the way to go, but having options is a good thing. A few cables is not a lot of extra carry. All mine go in one tote bag.
Kris
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Keep it Simple
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#13
02-21-2019, 08:32 PM
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Figure out the longest length you'll need and use it.
Every time you use two shorter cables it adds for the potential of poor or noisy connections and one more place your signal might not make it through for various reasons.
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#14
02-21-2019, 10:27 PM
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I mostly use 15' and 25' cables. Anything less and you are likely to have a cable in the air, never good. Get them too long and they start to get both heavy and expensive - and there is more chance of something going wrong.
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#15
02-22-2019, 07:42 AM
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For my band, I work with a couple of reels of 20'-25' XLRs, and we just link them as needed. For set-ups on busy stages, I'll use a little gaffer's tape to reinforce the connections, but we've never had any problems with the linking (we just try to take could care of the cables). I also carry a small assortment of 3', 6', 10', and 15' cables for special needs, short runs or for when we just need a few more feet (these are individually wrapped with velcro). For smaller ensemble gigs/solo gigs I just carry whatever I need individually wrapped with velcro. Usually a handful of the 20' or 25' cables and a couple of 10's. Whatever the gig calls for, plus some spares.
Louis
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