[Beginner-Friendly] Part 5 - Pedalboard Gems: A Slightly Nerdy Effects Pedal Guide: Patch Cables

[For Beginners] Pedalboard Gems: A Slightly Nerdy Effects Pedal Series
Episode 5: Patch Cables
Part 1: Overdrive
Part 2: Distortion
Part 3: Wah Pedal
Part 4: Phaser
Part 5: Patch Cables
Part 6: Power Adapters

This time, we’re taking a break from effects pedals to talk about patch cables.

☆ Twisting Your Cables Can Degrade Your Tone!?

It’s not widely known, but bending or twisting your cables too much can actually degrade your sound. Want proof? Try plugging your guitar straight into your amp and then gently twist the cable while playing. Hear that? The high frequencies get slightly cut off, right?
The same applies to patch cables that connect your effects pedals.

To avoid this, make sure you’re using the right plug type for each connection. Depending on the placement of the IN and OUT jacks on your pedals, you can choose between Straight to Straight or Straight to Right-Angle (L-Shaped).
Select the configuration that allows your cables to stay straight and untwisted, minimizing stress on the connectors and preserving your tone. It might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in both sound quality and longevity of your gear.

・Straight/Straight

・Straight/Right-Angle (L-Shaped)

・Right-Angle/Right-Angle (L-Shaped/L-Shaped)

※ Even with L-shaped plugs on both ends, there are crank-type patch cables like the one shown below. These are especially convenient when connecting pedals with jacks placed in different directions (e.g. side vs. top).

・Crank Type

⇒ Patch Cable Lineup

☆ Avoid Using Cables That Are Too Long

While it depends on the setup, longer cables increase the risk of picking up unwanted external noise. Choose cables that are just long enough, without being too tight or putting stress on the connectors.
This also helps your pedalboard look clean and organized, making it easier to love and maintain your setup. When incorporating multiple pedals into your board, lay them out first before cabling. This way, you can determine the optimal cable lengths and plug types needed for a tidy and efficient setup.

☆ Space-Saving Pancake-Type Plugs

In addition to the standard plug shapes, pancake plugs are also available on some patch cables. These thin, L-shaped plugs are designed to save space, allowing you to place pedals closer together on your board.
Because plug interference can lead to unwanted noise, it's important to choose patch cables that match the size and layout of your setup.

Example: CLASSIC PRO / GIC001N

☆ Convenient Solderless Patch Cables

More and more manufacturers are offering solderless patch cables that give a wide variety of options. As the name implies, no soldering is required—you can easily build custom-length cables yourself.
This lets you choose both the plug orientation and exact length you need. These are especially useful for those working with tight spaces, where standard patch cables might not fit as neatly. For compact and efficient pedalboard builds, solderless options can be more versatile than ready-made cables.

⇒ List of Solderless Patch Cables

⇒ Tips for Making Solderless Cables

By carefully organizing your patch cable wiring, you can often eliminate the need for noise-reducing pedals like noise suppressors or noise gates altogether.
It's worth investing in quality patch cables to preserve their true sound without degradation since you're working with your favorite pedals.

☆ Recommended Patch Cables

CLASSIC PRO / GIC001N

Previously mentioned pancake-type (L/L) patch cable. Its soft, flexible cable makes routing much easier and cleaner—great for tight pedalboard layouts.

PROVIDENCE / P203

This is the highest quality patch cable from PROVIDENCE, one of Japan’s most popular cable manufacturers.
Widely used by professional artists, it boasts top-tier sound quality and aesthetics.
It’s available in a full range of plug types including S-S, S-L, L-L, and crank, covering all pedalboard connection needs.

OYAIDE / L6+

From OYAIDE, a well-known high-end cable manufacturer in Japan, comes this solderless patch cable.
With durable plugs and high-quality cabling, it offers some of the best sound quality available in the domestic market.
Its ability to be reassembled as needed, along with its exceptional reliability (with virtually no reported issues), makes it a very appealing choice.