Cable storage - Ties
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From: DanielleOM on 31 May 2010 21:13 Denny Strauser wrote: > 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. > > I prefer just tying a knot in the cable. I can tie a knot in the cable > much faster than using tie line or Velcro, and when unwrapped it is > neater. I can unwrap the cable faster with just a simple knot. And, > Velcro makes it hard to pull a cable through a bunch of cables run on > stage. > > - Denny How do tie a knot in the cable and keep within manufacturer's guidelines for minimum radius? Was this a tongue in cheek suggestion? Danielle
From: bob on 31 May 2010 21:17 On 5/31/2010 7:54 PM, DanielleOM wrote: > bob wrote: >> On 5/31/2010 2:59 PM, Steve M wrote: >>> "DanielleOM" wrote >>>> I am thinking of using velcro ties that can be left on the cable. >>>> >>> >>> I've been using velcro straps for decades. Funny thing is that the >>> idea of velcro straps came to me long before anyone began making them >>> for wrapping cables. Wish I'd jumped on that one. >>> >>> Someone else spoke of using a reel. Many large sound companies use >>> exactly that when there's a whole buttload of cables to deal with. >>> >>> Tie line for cables (or tape) is a nuisance. >>> Velcro, aka "hook n loop", cable wraps come a wide variety of lengths >>> and types. A little Google searching will turn up many sources. >>> >>> -- >>> Steve McQ >>> >>> >>> >> >> Virtually NON of the big touring sound companies i see in the sound >> world use the Velcro. You might see some in video world. >> >> Some tape (not my favorite). some you just wrap and put in the caddy. >> NO ONE uses a reel for anything other than long runs of fiber optic >> cable or such. >> >> Tie line is common in the theater world and there is usually tons of >> it laying round after a theater gig. recycling at its best. >> its more common on larger cables than mike cables. If its loose, tie a >> clove around it and your good to go. Maybe on both sides if it a big >> heavy pile >> >> >> Bottom line is what ever works for you... >> >> bob > > > I think my friend that uses the tie line / rope said she started doing > it after doing theatre work. > > Danielle In a typical "working " theater, the battens are striped bare or have a basic house hang between shows. When a new show and other lights are brought in, there all clamped to the battens and all the cable gets pulled to the end of the pipe. All this cable is cable tied down to the pipe with the Zetec and such. there is always spare tie line after a gig. bob
From: bob on 31 May 2010 22:02 On 5/31/2010 8:11 PM, Denny Strauser wrote: > 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. > > I prefer just tying a knot in the cable. I can tie a knot in the cable > much faster than using tie line or Velcro, and when unwrapped it is > neater. I can unwrap the cable faster with just a simple knot. And, > Velcro makes it hard to pull a cable through a bunch of cables run on > stage. > > - Denny Personally, the loose knot is my first choice. But it drives some people nuts when you do it so i usually ask first. And when possible, wrap the female end first so the female end does not have the slight kink at the mike end until the tension on the cable relaxes It all depends on the cable. Some is a little more freindly to knotting bob
From: Denny Strauser on 1 Jun 2010 01:49 DanielleOM wrote: > Denny Strauser wrote: >> 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. >> >> I prefer just tying a knot in the cable. I can tie a knot in the cable >> much faster than using tie line or Velcro, and when unwrapped it is >> neater. I can unwrap the cable faster with just a simple knot. And, >> Velcro makes it hard to pull a cable through a bunch of cables run on >> stage. >> - Denny > > How do tie a knot in the cable and keep within manufacturer's guidelines > for minimum radius? Was this a tongue in cheek suggestion? This was a serious reply. I have no idea what you mean by mfg guidelines of minimum radius. I just know that in 30 years as a sound engineer, I HATE tie-line & Velcro. If I work with a sound company that insists on this time-consuming way of tying cables, I might conform, if I have the time, but my preferred way is to tie a simple knot in the cable itself, with very short ends. 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. If you don't believe me, just ask George Gleason, a regular on this News Group. I've worked a number of shows for his sound company, & one of the first things I do when working his shows is to re-wrap all the cables I'll be using for the festivals. Not only that, but I'll separate them & organize them by type of cable. George? Do I speak the truth? LMAO .... We might not agree on a bunch of things, but am I anal, or what? And, do I get the job done quick & effectively? - Denny
From: DanielleOM on 1 Jun 2010 03:43
Denny Strauser wrote: > DanielleOM wrote: >> Denny Strauser wrote: >>> 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. >>> >>> I prefer just tying a knot in the cable. I can tie a knot in the >>> cable much faster than using tie line or Velcro, and when unwrapped >>> it is neater. I can unwrap the cable faster with just a simple >>> knot. And, Velcro makes it hard to pull a cable through a bunch of >>> cables run on stage. >>> - Denny >> >> How do tie a knot in the cable and keep within manufacturer's >> guidelines for minimum radius? Was this a tongue in cheek >> suggestion? > > This was a serious reply. I have no idea what you mean by mfg > guidelines of minimum radius. I just know that in 30 years as a sound > engineer, I HATE tie-line & Velcro. If I work with a sound company > that insists on this time-consuming way of tying cables, I might > conform, if I have the time, but my preferred way is to tie a simple > knot in the cable itself, with very short ends. 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. > > If you don't believe me, just ask George Gleason, a regular on this > News Group. I've worked a number of shows for his sound company, & > one of the first things I do when working his shows is to re-wrap all > the cables I'll be using for the festivals. Not only that, but I'll > separate them & organize them by type of cable. > > George? Do I speak the truth? > LMAO .... > We might not agree on a bunch of things, but am I anal, or what? > And, do I get the job done quick & effectively? > > - Denny Here's a spec with minimum bending radius referenced. http://mtron.spprod.com/country/3/external/pdf/pg_0302_HK09_int_UNITRONIC_MICROPHONE_BK.pdf In this case they reference 5 X the cable diameter as the minimum bending radius. Danielle |