Which audio multicore cable

[BlueShift]

Hey.

 

Im organising an installation of a system which will have a 50m 48 pair multicore. the multicore will be permanently rigged and subject to little in the way of magnetic interference. The multicore will be a set of tails at one end, terminating in a stagebox at the other. it will be used to run mic and line signals over the 50m length to and from the mixing desk.

 

Now ive looked at loads and loads of multicore cable options from everyone under the sun - sommer, van damme - the works. however, I just cant pick one that will give me the best balance of price and performance.

 

After thinking about it, I figure we dont need much armouring on the cable as this will be permanently installed.

 

Im after best performance for my budget.

 

One cable that caught my eye was

 

Sommer mistral cable:

double foil screened

0.22mm^2 conductors (7x0.2mm per conductor)

low capacitance (65pF core to core, 130 core to screen)

 

Any recommendations? I need to be sure that I get a cable I know will suit my requirments. And specs may be specs but id rather hear some opinions from other people!

[strandgsx]

Hey.

 

Im organising an installation of a system which will have a 50m 48 pair multicore. the multicore will be permanently rigged and subject to little in the way of magnetic interference. The multicore will be a set of tails at one end, terminating in a stagebox at the other. it will be used to run mic and line signals over the 50m length to and from the mixing desk.

 

Now ive looked at loads and loads of multicore cable options from everyone under the sun - sommer, van damme - the works. however, I just cant pick one that will give me the best balance of price and performance.

 

After thinking about it, I figure we dont need much armouring on the cable as this will be permanently installed.

 

Im after best performance for my budget.

 

One cable that caught my eye was

 

Sommer mistral cable:

double foil screened

0.22mm^2 conductors (7x0.2mm per conductor)

low capacitance (65pF core to core, 130 core to screen)

 

Any recommendations? I need to be sure that I get a cable I know will suit my requirments. And specs may be specs but id rather hear some opinions from other people!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Have you looked at kelsey cable????? Its pretty good stuff, we use it for all our studio installs etc.

 

Mark

[BlueShift]

Hey.

 

Im organising an installation of a system which will have a 50m 48 pair multicore. the multicore will be permanently rigged and subject to little in the way of magnetic interference. The multicore will be a set of tails at one end, terminating in a stagebox at the other. it will be used to run mic and line signals over the 50m length to and from the mixing desk.

 

Now ive looked at loads and loads of multicore cable options from everyone under the sun - sommer, van damme - the works. however, I just cant pick one that will give me the best balance of price and performance.

 

After thinking about it, I figure we dont need much armouring on the cable as this will be permanently installed.

 

Im after best performance for my budget.

 

One cable that caught my eye was

 

Sommer mistral cable:

double foil screened

0.22mm^2 conductors (7x0.2mm per conductor)

low capacitance (65pF core to core, 130 core to screen)

 

Any recommendations? I need to be sure that I get a cable I know will suit my requirments. And specs may be specs but id rather hear some opinions from other people!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Have you looked at kelsey cable????? Its pretty good stuff, we use it for all our studio installs etc.

 

Mark

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

interesting - I have, although been slightly put off by the price. you'd rate that stuff for running mic level signals over 50m? with good noise rejection?

 

Thing is im corrupted by working in broadcast at the moment - nothing but starquad everywhere! I could get 48 pairs worth of starquad for less money than kelsey 48 pair.

[strandgsx]

you are right about the expensive nature of it, but we have done outdoor runs, a re wire of a theatre countless studio and other installs with it and it far out performs any other cable we have used.

 

We have never had a complaint nor a bad comment over it, even our hire multicores are kelsey.

 

mark

[BlueShift]

you are right about the expensive nature of it, but we have done outdoor runs, a re wire of a theatre countless studio and other installs with it and it far out performs any other cable we have used.

 

We have never had a complaint nor a bad comment over it, even our hire multicores are kelsey.

 

mark

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

at the moment im slightly leaning toward a low capacitance starquad multicore for increased noise and RFI rejection - but thats the OB / broadcast install part of me talking.

 

if this was a BBC job - it'd be starquad... :P

 

seriously though, the multi does pass a lot of lighting mains - so starquad may help me out there

[Andrew C]

. the multicore will be permanently rigged and subject to little in the way of magnetic interference.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

seriously though, the multi does pass a lot of lighting mains - so starquad may help me out there

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

?

[BlueShift]

. the multicore will be permanently rigged and subject to little in the way of magnetic interference.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

seriously though, the multi does pass a lot of lighting mains - so starquad may help me out there

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

perpendicularly - and that is the only point it passes them - that is little compared to a lot of buildings where multi has to be laid in existing conduits with mains etc... :P

[david.elsbury]

Have you forgotten this thread which you started less than a week ago along much the same lines? Where you were advised that starquad can be problematic for long runs, because of the capacitance?

 

David

[BlueShift]

Have you forgotten this thread which you started less than a week ago along much the same lines? Where you were advised that starquad can be problematic for long runs, because of the capacitance?

 

David

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

the increased capacitance is really only a problem if your audio gear - as guidlines state - has each feed terminated in 600 ohms. however, in reality nobody does that anymore and in fact the terminating impedances are much higher. so the increased capacitative effect is more than outweighed my a terminating impedance much higher than the standard 600 ohms. you would only have problems if the capacitance were to cause the termination to drop below 600 ohms.

 

Also, the starquad I have in mind has a lower capacitance per meter than the kelsey multicore cable which has been recommended here so that is not a problem.

 

I have dealt with multicores up to 250m used on OB projects that have no problems

[Mr.Si]

Sounds like you should just go for the Van-Damme Star Quad if your mind keeps wondering back to how good it is!

 

Sounds like your mind is made up already! (no offence meant or anything)

[BlueShift]

Sounds like you should just go for the Van-Damme Star Quad if your mind keeps wondering back to how good it is!

 

Sounds like your mind is made up already! (no offence meant or anything)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

its actually made by conducil for bryant broadcast, although its essentially the same thing.

 

Yeah I guess so - I mean the capacitance thing I have now learned about, and essentially I can only be affording myself more security considering its such low capacitance starquad anyway.

 

Thanks for the comments though guys - I do appreciate it. its just daunting because the multicore is pretty much the only part of a system where you only find out if it wont work when its done.

 

Cheers

[BlueShift]

Ended up going with kelsey - they gave me a 30% discount so I couldn't resist :D