Whirlwind Cables?

[Blah067]

Hi all.

I'm wondering, I know that whirlwind makes different lines of cables.
I'm budgeting about 35k for a personal portable sound system (32 channel board, 10 sys of wireless, 3 stereo amps (just for size comparison)).

I was PLANNING for all my XLR to XLR to just use Whirlwinds Economy series cables, 5 bucks for a ten footer.
Bad deal? Poor cable? Stop being a cheapo?

I've used worse cables at my church, these things have #$%^& connectors, the kind where you can see the screws, they always come loose, yeah, those type.

Are these cables bad for set up and tear down 3-5 times a week?

No, I'm not going to pay over a dollar a foot, so don't even suggest that.
Making cables isn't in the time picture, so also don't mention that.

[len]

You might look at some whips, which can be found pre-made, but might suit your needs. I'll bet whirlwind makes whips that are less expensive and less time-consuming than running individual cables. Whirlwind / Insert Snakes Also, if you're investing in multiple wireless, you might look into a system where all the receivers are in a rack, and you only use one antenna system for them. Don't know what they're called, but I know Shure makes something.

I'm sure Bill sells all of it, as well as other vendors.

[BillESC]

In the under a buck a foot catagory, Audio Technica's ecomony mic cables are better than Whirlwind's Chinese imports. We sell a lot of both, about 200,000 feet per year. While I'll use the AT cables in our rental rigs, I won't use the Whirlwinds.

Mic antenna distribution systems are what you're thinking of Len. They are usually a one rack space 4 to 1 unit.

[mbenonis]

What kind of wireless did you spec out?

[Sony]

You're going to be spending $35,000 and you're gonna cheap out on XLR Cables?!?!?! I mean...I'd understand if you were spending maybe $2,000 or even $3,500, but $35k man? You couldn't devote $100 or even $200 to get some good Switchcraft or Neutrik cables? Christ man...you're getting a 32 channel board, 10 wireless mics and 3 amps yet you want cheap cables? Well...you get what you pay for man...just seems a bit ridiculous with that much money you are going to cheap out on the most basic supplies. Especially when you say they are going to be getting abused 3-5 times a week...don't expect them to last very long.

If you're really gonna cheap out on XLR's then I second BillESC, at least go for the Audio Technica cables.

[avkid]

The words cheap and quality can go together.
SLMN

[waynehoskins]

I avoid Whirlwind cable when I can. Every time you coil their cables wrong, or kink them, they remember. They never remember the countless times you coiled them right.

I prefer to build my own. Good cable and Neutrik or Switchcraft connectors (Switchcraft connectors, by the way, are the ones you greatly dislike with the setscrews; they're actually more expensive than the Neutriks and more rugged). I try to go with black Neutriks when I can. 8412 cable is nice. Prebuilt, my preference is to Rapco or Proco right now.

Hmm, we are talking about cable that's to be used between a microphone and a stage box, right? It just occurred to me that you might be talking about the cables tying things together at FOH, in which case I use squids when I can, especially in a portable situation; in an install, 8451 or 9451 is good.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by waynehoskins

... 8412 cable is nice. ... 8451 or 9451 is good.

waynehoskins, did you perhaps forget to add the word "Belden" before those model numbers?

[waynehoskins]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

waynehoskins, did you perhaps forget to add the word "Belden" before those model numbers?

I sure did. I didn't remember not typing it. Yes, those are Belden model numbers, and most everybody else has a close cross.

But of course, it's unimportant since the original poster needs to have premade cables, though we really don't know quite what for yet, and it's quite possible he really needs a short fan-to-fan snake.

[avare]

What are you basing your pricing on? I have found a rule of budgeting to have 5% for cables MINIMUM.

Andre