How do you make reliable, low-cost cables quickly?

I do lots of electronics design and building and inevitably need to make lots of cables. Since making cables is not my favorite activity, I try to use methods that are quick while still providing reliable connections. And of course I always need to keep the costs down.

This short post shows a couple of the main ways I accomplish these objectives.

Yodamonk, the cable guru.

Custom Cable Methods

Discussion

I haven't posted much content lately so I thought I would post something about making cables. This activity is not usually exciting enough to be a great blogging topic, but I also wanted to play around a bit with some AI media generation. (No AI text though) The tough Yodamonk dude came out amazing.

I am always looking for efficient ways to make useful cables, so if you have any interesting tips, please jot them down below...

Top Replies

beacon_dave over 1 year ago in reply to shabaz

shabaz said:
but that's a good point, there are less common variants to eliminate risk of accidentally plugging the wrong thing in

The RJ45 and RJ50 can be still be plugged into each other. The RJ50 just has the additional outer pins.
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shabaz over 1 year ago in reply to beacon_dave

It's a pity most of the desk microphones in such systems are now carried over unshielded twisted pair.. I used to use the old ones as a good source of high-quality shielded audio cable! My old ebay search terms are getting rare, so if you know of any more models as search terms, that would be great to know : )
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beacon_dave over 1 year ago in reply to shabaz

shabaz said:
so if you know of any more models as search terms, that would be great to know

Shure DDS 5900

The rental ones tended to use VDC / Van Damme branded STP though.

The Sennheiser ones were a heavier wire gauge than normal. Big discussion systems have to carry a fair amount of power over long runs.
(The Shure system could handle around 3800 microphones in a single system for those larger than average discussions)
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koudelad over 1 year ago

For making quick connections, I like Wago 221 series connectors, instead of screw terminals.

They are both inline : https://www.wago.com/global/installation-terminal-blocks-and-connectors/inline-splicing-connector-with-levers/p/221-2411

and one-side: https://www.wago.com/global/installation-terminal-blocks-and-connectors/splicing-connector-with-levers/p/221-412
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shabaz over 1 year ago in reply to beacon_dave

Slightly unrelated, but there seem to be a ton of Shure SM58 microphones on Ebay currently, from several sellers, listed as new, for around £20-23. Not sure what to make of that, seems odd. And I know nothing about mics so I dont know how good that one is, might be basic. Anyway I already have a OKish mic (MD 46) so not interested, but thought it worth mentioning.
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shabaz over 1 year ago in reply to BigG

And for RF, if you google "superbat rf" there's a firm that make custom cables. I've used them a couple of times, it's low cost, and quality is not bad (not top end by any stretch).
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beacon_dave over 1 year ago in reply to shabaz

I suspect that they will be fakes / stolen goods at that price.

The genuine Shure SM58 is a rugged, reliable cardioid pattern dynamic vocal mic. No fuss, no frills, built to last the rigors of stage.
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beacon_dave over 1 year ago in reply to shabaz

shabaz said:
a good source of high-quality shielded audio cable

Just how much audio cable do you use ?

There are some 'field deployable' STP cables aimed at stage use. They are a bit easier to handle and more robust compared with standard data cable.
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beacon_dave over 1 year ago in reply to shabaz

shabaz said:
I already have a OKish mic (MD 46)

Didn't opt for the Shure dual SM57 US Presidential administration kit then ?

https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/bundles/sm57vip?variant=SM57%2520VIP%2520KIT
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michaelkellett over 1 year ago in reply to beacon_dave

Had a look - almost tempted to buy one just to see how bad a copy it is. £18.99 including shipping.

MK
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