Active Band Man Chats - Shielded cables -

Today's theme is... shielded cables!

In other words, musical instrument cables.

What kind of cables have you been using, Horry?

Well, when I started playing musical instruments, I used the ones that came as an accessory with the instrument, and then I bought a new one, but as I said in the column about strings, I had no choice as I lived in the countryside... All I was able to find at music stores was maybe only Canare cables? Moreover, no discounts. Lol. I learned from some paper media (such as magazines), that there were various shielded cables but... I so badly wished we had had Sound House in those days. Lol.
→ List of Canare / Instrument cables

Absolutely.

So, I went to Osaka for college and found various cables... After all, I didn't have much money, so I think I mainly used Canare cables. They're affordable, you know. You can find them everywhere, too. I hadn't been particular about cables until I started performing in music venues.

That's right.

Now, I mainly use Oyaide. I like how the mid-range comes out, so I have several Oyaide. I also use Ex-pro. It feel they're an average cable brand.
→ List of Oyaide / Instrument cables
→ List of EX-Pro / Instrument cables

There are many Oyaide fans lately.

What about you, Kizuhiko?

When I was a beginner, I also started with one of those cheap cables that came with the guitar. Then, I immediately heard about Canare. It's a standard brand, but when I used it for the first time, I got excited.

I understand that feeling! It's like, "I finally have a decent one." It feels like a step up. Lol.

Yes, yes! After that... Monster Cable became popular, but I was surprised, "Why would you pay this much for a cable?" and I couldn't even try one out then.

Considering the price now, it's a reasonable price. I used Monster Cables for a while, but they're really unique, aren't they? I have the impression that the sound becomes a little fat. It's almost as if there's a certain effect being applied. There are various types of cables: some are as faithful as possible to the original sound, and others have a clear aim. And there are various prices.

That's right, there are some that add extra character. There are many more high-end oriented products lately.

High-end cables are appealing, but for me cables are a consumable item..., so I can't buy very expensive ones.

Some are even as expensive as a guitar!

So we do a lot of gigs, you know. Once, a cymbal had fallen on my cable cutting it through the wires... The cymbal was as sharp as a knife (bitter smile). You can be more particular about cables in a place where there isn't much action.

Some people use different cables for recording and live performances. There was a time when I was particular about the color of the shield.

Color?

Yeah, the signal flow is like the flow of blood. I used to have the instrument cables and patch cables all in the same red. Even effectors.
→Related article "Active Band Man Chats - Regarding intermediate effectors -"

They're rose red...

Hehehe. Currently, I don't do that with patch cables, but I still use red cables between the guitar and my effectors, and between the effectors and the amp.

I see. It's impressive because not many people use red cables. Even in music venues, it's convenient because you can easily tell which ones are yours. Lol (Horry sometimes fills in as Kizuhiko's roadie).

I'm using a VOX curly cable for the guitar to effector. For effector to amp, I use a Fender Yngwie Malmsteen signature model.

Yngwie...

Uh... you look at me like, "you don't shred". Lol. So I like this one because it has a cloth jacket and doesn't get sticky even if it's taped with gummed tape. As for the curly cable, I also used to use Vital Audio.
→ List of VITAL AUDIO / Instrument cables

I know. I'm not a fan of cloth jacket cables, too. They're a little hard, so they don't easily get caught up in the actions on stage. So, like you, Kizuhiko, I sometimes use them from my feet to the amp, but it's better if I can move flexibly from the bass to my feet.

I see, shielded cable are not only about the sound but also about your actions. I used to use wireless for a while, but I prefer connecting with cables because it's like the blood running through the veins. Yes, and everything?

Is for love!