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From: Leon on 1 Jun 2010 22:45
On Mon, 31 May 2010 09:48:57 -0400, "DanielleOM" <danielle.e(a)reply.to.group.com>
wrote:

>
>
>I was wondering what systems people here use to store cables so that they do
>not get tangled. I am thinking microphone cables and instrument cable
>approximately 25' long.
>
>A friend of mine always leaves a piece of rope tied around one end of the
>cable.
>
>I was putting each cable in a plastic bag. Worked well until I started
>using more cables. Takes time to open the bags and get the cable in there.
>
>I am thinking of using velcro ties that can be left on the cable.
>
>
>Thanks
>
>Danielle

I used to use plastic bags but they rip and tear all the time and really are a
pain, so I switched to canvas shopping bags - they work great! They come in
several sizes, have strong handles, are available at most grocery stores, and
are quite cheap. I get the square bottom kind, that sit still.

And you can put anything in them, and even hang them up on bolts on the back of
a rack. Carrying 2 heavy bags, one each hand, is far easier than the same weight
in a big box, you balance better. Also better for your back because you don't
bend over so far to grab the handles, and my back thanks me for it!

Leon, pushing 60.

From: bob on 1 Jun 2010 23:14
On 6/1/2010 9:31 PM, Denny Strauser wrote:
> JWald wrote:
>> ----
>> "Sean Conolly" <sjconolly_98(a)yaaho.com> wrote in message
>> news:hu46qq$9ep$1(a)news.eternal-september.org...
>>> "Denny Strauser" <dsdennysound(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
>
>>>>> I am extremely anal about wrapping cables. I've had
>>>> dozens of interns & assistants, & I almost NEVER let anyone help
>>>> wrap cables. When I do, it takes me double the time to wire the
>>>> stage for the next show.
>
>>> I'm also anal about the cable wrap - and always wrap my own.
>
>> My name is Jeff, and I'm anal about cables too. I've stagehanded for
>> about 12 yrs., and cable wrapping was about the first thing I learned.
>> I also have to wrap all the cables and cords for my band gigs too. No
>> one can seem to figure it out. The problem is that I have to set the
>> PA and lights, run the cables, and set up my drum kit. The lazy
>> bastards I play with are about to get an eye opener.
>
> I did an amphitheater festival about 10 years ago for a sound company in
> Pittsburgh. As I was packing up FOH, a union crew packed all the mic
> cables into our 2ft x 2ft x 3ft cable case. That case was stacked wheels
> up on another case in the truck. When I arrived at my next show, I found
> that none of the cables were tied at all. It took TWO HOURS to untangle
> the spaghetti. A DAMN UNION CREW! They should know better! TWO FREAKIN
> HOURS! I was pissed ....
>
> - Denny

Careful what you say there about the old IATSE boys!
(i are one of them ;) )

I have done tons of large rock arena shows.
The biggest problem is the crew DOES NOT SPECIFY what they want.
You want it a certain way, say so BEFORE the load out starts.
Once it starts, everyone is too busy to think.
Everyone just wants to go home or get on the bus.
Then the stagehands just go on automatic.
The most unoffensive way to wrap mike cable would be over/under, no
knot, no tape. You want it taped, supply it and tell the crew. You want
it tied, supply the tie lie or have it already on the cable.
I have never put single mike cable on a reel at an arena rock show as
far as i can remember. Your help on the out may or may not be the same
people, so it pays to have a short meeting with what and how before the out.

I find it amazing one of the most unconcerned cable people are Clair
brothers. Throw it all in the hang truck and get it to the next show!
Now, they will warn you about the fiber if there using it.

Good thing the High d cable is tough, it gets tossed!

Clair is about the closet thing to the Borg in the sound world. ;)
Many have been assimilated....

bob
From: Zilog on 2 Jun 2010 06:05
DanielleOM wrote:
>
>
> I was wondering what systems people here use to store cables so that
> they do not get tangled. I am thinking microphone cables and instrument
> cable approximately 25' long.
>
> A friend of mine always leaves a piece of rope tied around one end of
> the cable.
>
> I was putting each cable in a plastic bag. Worked well until I started
> using more cables. Takes time to open the bags and get the cable in there.
>
> I am thinking of using velcro ties that can be left on the cable.
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Danielle
I worked for over 2o years for a Telecom Company in many parts of the
world in sometimes very difficult conditions and had to move from site
to site many times a day.
We used about 20 cables on average to connect the various pieces of test
gear to the equipment under test.
After all the problems you all know I stopped every alternative and used
plastic zipped bags. A sticker on it made sure that the correct cable is
in the bag. All the bags in a strong wooden case.
Never ever had a broken cable since.
OK; it's a bit of work, but that's nothing compared to the agrevation a
bad cable will give you.

Cheers,
Zilog
From: Tim Perry on 3 Jun 2010 00:14

"DanielleOM" <danielle.e(a)reply.to.group.com> wrote in message
news:hu0eoq$9oe$1(a)news.eternal-september.org...
>
>
> I was wondering what systems people here use to store cables so that they
> do not get tangled. I am thinking microphone cables and instrument cable
> approximately 25' long.
>
> A friend of mine always leaves a piece of rope tied around one end of the
> cable.
>
> I was putting each cable in a plastic bag. Worked well until I started
> using more cables. Takes time to open the bags and get the cable in
> there.
>
> I am thinking of using velcro ties that can be left on the cable.
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Danielle

Danielle, there are about nine different ways to do mic cables including
rolling them consecutively on a reel.

It is no use arguing with anyone who has decided his way is best.

Any way that results in a speedy tangle free setup should be acceptable,
however some methods tend to kink up the cable thus reducing its life
expectancy.

Almost all my small cables and speaker cables up to 50 feet have Velcro.
cable over 50 feet are on reels. Mic cables shorter then 10 feet have
Velcro.

I recall at least a couple vids on you tube demonstrating the over/under
method of cable storage.

My latest 500' spool of CBI/Beldon ultima 20 ga is quite a bit stiffer then
most other types of mic cable. Cables made with this tend to kink
permanently when tying it in knots.







From: BNB Sound on 6 Jun 2010 14:08
On May 31, 9:48 am, "DanielleOM" <daniell...(a)reply.to.group.com>
wrote:

> I was putting each cable in a plastic bag.  Worked well until I started
> using more cables.  Takes time to open the bags and get the cable in there.

I used tie line and velcro until I found that the world would in fact
not end if I just tied the knot. Things are so much cleaner that
way.

I found an easy storage method as well. 5 gallon joint compound
buckets (or you can spring for empty ones at home centers if you don't
know any drywallers). All you need to do is coil your cable small
enough to fit and cut some of the tabs off the lids so you can get
them off easily. You can have one for each length of cable or just
toss in what you need for a specific gig and leave the rest in the
truck or shop. Even weaklings can carry one in each hand and three
stack nicely on a hand truck. Unlike milk crates they're water (and
beer) proof, have convenient handles and are cheap or free if you're
not ready for an Anvil cable trunk.

This only works well if you're the anal type who is obsessive about
coiling though. If I have "help" from untrained people I find other
things for them to do and do the coiling myself.

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