We are looking at replacing our multi-core, and the main question is do we stick with a drum or not?

I can see plenty of benefits and drawbacks either way to be honest, just wondering what everyone else thinks.

As a side note, any "brands" to avoid, any "brands" which get your vote?

From my experiences, drum mounted are much easier to set up and pack down, it also means the multicore cable has less chance of getting knackered when coiling unlike when it is just a free cable.
It partly depends on what length you're looking at?

A thick, long multi I think is better in a box, while shorted, thinner ones work well on a drum. The problem is that 50m of 32 core+ means a big drum, and while it pulls out quite well, it is a bugger to get back on.

NO!! No drum.

Its probably easier to wind it up, but does the cable no favors at all. Those drums cost £200, for nearer £150 you could get a cheap case cut out a chunk and nicely figure of 8 the multi in.

we already have a drum, and the main problem is that it requires two people to pull it out as otherwise it gets tangled up on itself.

I am looking at 50m of cable ...

How many ways do you need?

It may be worth looking at digital multicores.

Much lighter and easier to run in/out.

Josh

we are having an A&HGL2400 - 32 so 24 in, 6/8 out

Surely you'll want a 32 input multicore to make best use of the desk in future? 24+8 @50m are available on drums, but will then be pretty heavy. I'd imagine with that many connections, if you can afford it you'd be best with a system with multipins, they're easier to coil fig-8 in a trunk too. I'm a fan of these cables: Direct Cable Systems

Used to be in the same position as you with desk and multi. We used to have it on a drum, but it was such a pain to get on and off. I moved it into a case as a figure of eight and its much easier to manage. The case is bigger than the drum one, but then I was trying to guess how big we'd need it. I reckon you'd be able to get something in a similar size to whatever holds a drum.

Adam

we have other inputs though, and a 32 channel desk is thinking ahead as it is ...

we only need 24, but might as well go for the extra 8 channels.

The 24 channel m/core is leaving room for expansion anyhow.

I think multicore drums come straight from the bottom of Beelzebub, and won't have anything to do with them! Cases are much better. You can have them on wheels for a start...

If its on a drum then you should ensure that it is fully un-wound before use.... In a low scale venue then its a great idea, however it doesn't do the cable any good (but then again most people can't coil so its probably better!).

If you want a real quality multi then you should go for Van-Damm, and if you want a price on one, let me know how long it needs to be and what connectors you want each end - Ill give you a price!

And why would that be?

I have a 50m 24/4 multi which *just* fits into a large suitcase, though it's getting rather tatty these days..

Interference - Physics.

Care to expand a bit further RGSD?

So... when you coil a cable, you do a loop, then a back loop - to opposite the effects of interference. If it is on a drum, then the drum doesn't do the back loop and therefore creates a continuous coil susceptible to interference.

Exactly why you would figure of eight a cable.

The only reason I know to figure 8 cables is when you're using big power (63 amp plus) and you don't want to risk creating a big hot electromagnet out of it. It is, to the best of my knowledge irrelevant to do it to signal cables. However lots of small drum mounted domestic extension leads need to be unwound for their rating to be accurate, and are usually fairly well labelled to that effect, so maybe this is where that particular myth came from.

M

Figure-8'ing any cable that is required to be pulled out is the only way of temporary storage that doesn't put twists in the cable? Really common with chunky snakes and if you've ever worked with a BBC OB tender they'll spool off their long camera cables to fig-8's on the floor, and if the BBC do it with their experience, it's good enough for me!

I think I've missed the Physics lesson where interference was an issue?

individually shielded, balanced cables aren't succeptible to that much crosstalk.. paul's got the right idea for fig8 windings, it just pulls out straight. its what I do in my suitcase. I dont fancy dicking around pulling out twists in an inch thick cable when I have an hour or so to set a PA up.

But twisted pair cable already counteracts magnetic interference? Although there are some drawbacks to foil screen/drainwire assemblies, screening is usually plenty good enough for audio work.

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A 50m 32 pair multi can work with a drum fairly well. Whilst I accept that larger cable systems (especially when two or more cables are bunched) benefit from being coiled in a trunk, a decent drum is still quite usuable at this size and smaller.

Things to look for:

- either a XLR input plate on the drum flange, or a neat method of connecting the inner tail to a stagebox
- a good winding handle
- a drum brake that doesn't snap off on its first outing
- possibility of terminating the cable with a multipin, and leaving a multipin to tails in the mixer case.
- possibility of mounting the drum in a wheeled flightcase for protection and ease of transport

Canford and VDC sell some larger drums (CD3, Marcaddy etc.).

Simon

Leaving a multicore half coiled will make no difference, as long as it is only signals going through it.

Are you thinking of a B&Q mains drum?
Whatever you get OP, 50m is going to be heavy!

John Denim.

Hi,

I bought a drum multicore back in the day. Cheap too, from Omnitronic. Well, first it started that I had to disassemble the mechanical brakes on the neutrik plugs because once you got a mic cable in, it just wouldn't come out! Now I have about 10% of channels either not working at all, or not conducting phantom power, or getting noses into the sound,etc...
We keep saying that it will make for a nice bonfire once we get a new digital snake.

I can't really go into the phisics of the thing (because I don't know them!!), but from my experience, they are to be avoided. Especially cheap ones.
So if you're going to spend money, make sure you don't spend it twice, like I'll have to do.

Good luck with whatever choice you make.