Cable management

[Scott Hanna]

here's a good video on the roadie wrap method or wrapping cables

View: http://youtu.be/kda4DPAn3C4

 

[dunlopj]

Overworked...underpaid...what a great way to show how it's done!

 

[robare99]

Always over/under.

 

[SEDJ]

I think that is how I do it..............hmm

 

[dunlopj]

Every time I'd see another DJ doing the "over the elbow" wrap method, I'd cringe...

 

[rickryan.com]

Honestly, I hate the over/under method. I understand the premise, but just don't buy into the benefits.

 

[rhythmgj]

I do it with my studio mike cables. My live ones if I'm not in a hurry. Speaker cable? Lighting? Extension cords? Right around that arm, baby...

GJ

 

[ittigger]

If I have time, I do it right. If not, around the elbow we go.

 

[Jas]

I've been using the under over method for a few years. When it's time to set up, my cables unwrap instantly without tangles. That said, I don't think it's the only way to wrap cables. I bought some used XLR cables from a studio and they were neatly wound in one direction. There were no twists or tangles in the cables and each wind was equal in length. Either way, just taking a little time will make your cables last longer and they'll unwind quickly without tangles.

 

[robare99]

I always over/under so everything fits in the cable trunks properly. They aren't huge, about the size of 2 milk crates.

 

[awdj]

I over under EVERYTHING. 100+ ft XLRs, 200+ ft Cat 5, you name it. Fast as a spool with a knob.

If you master it, you'll never look back.


Sent from my mobile device.

 

[rhythmgj]

You'd be surprised...

Pampering road cables can ruin them. "Spare the rod, spoil the child"...

GJ

 

[dunlopj]

Pampering road cables can ruin them. "Spare the rod, spoil the child"...GJ

Sorry, but to me, that doesn't make any sense. Please elaborate.

 

[steve149]

Sorry, but to me, that doesn't make any sense. Please elaborate.

You don't want them growing up to be spoiled brats .. (it was a joke man ...)

 

[Ausumm]

Honestly, I hate the over/under method. I understand the premise, but just don't buy into the benefits.

Work for a Concert Production Company.
Do a week long music festival with 10 bands on one stage in a day.
Once you try to "un-wrap" 20 or 30 poorly coiled mic cables each time you switch bands...
and multiply it by 7 days and several stages...
you'll completely understand the benefits.

 

[rhythmgj]

That's what I'm saying, Mike. I've done quite a bit of live sound, as a tech and in 30+ years of being in bands. I never had the time (or the crew) to individually "sweet wrap" every cable, but I also don't do what one of my friends did-- almost _purposefully_ put knots in them by just bunching them up and throwing them in the cable box.

Dunlopdj-- The point is, if you want your cables to behave, you have to keep them in-line. Wrapping them around your elbow a few times prevents you from having to beat them with a stick as much...

GJ

 

[awdj]

...but it's also stupid vs. under over.


Sent from my mobile device.

 

[rhythmgj]

(I can see some SJW cable rights organization getting ahold of my comments and starting a Facebook campaign against me)

GJ

 

[rhythmgj]

Well, stupid is as stupid does, awdj.

GJ

 

[Albatross]

I generally don't have very long cable runs at all, I do a lot of stuff using wireless if I can. But every time I've tried the over-under method, it hasn't seemed any easier getting my cables undone. When I've tried to over-under, I end up with weird loops and they won't sit correctly. Even on brand new cables I have this type of problem. When I'm wrapping my cables up at the end of the night, I basically look at the way they are naturally turning, and I don't fight them.

I don't wrap around my elbow though, it seems like it just stresses the cable out.