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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => Lighting Forum => Topic started by: Steve Hurt on March 31, 2011, 01:02:57 AM
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It's time for me to stop using mic cables for DMX.
Where are you buying your DMX cable?
What cable are you using?
What ends are you using?
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I use CBI cable, but mainly because I'm a dealer for it. I always use Neutrik connectors, typically the single X series. (NC3FX, etc).
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I've had good luck with the accu-cable stuff from American DJ, and I am testing out Blizzards MI-TEE cables now, but the jury's still out on those. I've found that anything but Neutrik ends doesn't hold up to abuse very well. If I had more time I would just buy some bulk cable and solder on the Neutriks.
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I use CBI cable, but mainly because I'm a dealer for it. I always use Neutrik connectors, typically the single X series. (NC3FX, etc).
The point in a discussion of DMX cable, is exactly what cable are you using? All cable has a part number, that is what is important to make sure you have 110Ω balanced cable, not mic cable.
Mac
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I've been working Chauvet's offerings into inventory and have been pretty satisfied with the results. I do like that they ship color coded to length and 3 vs 5 pin varieties. The cable is durable but soft and the ends haven't failed me yet. Definitely a good bang for the buck if it's just you using the cable. For rentals or heavy use, I'd look elsewhere.
*note: I am an Iluminarc dealer, a sister company to Chauvet.
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I use gepco DLC224 bulk cable with neutrik ends from the 'X' series as well. I bought the gepco cable because it was local and no need to ship. In the end, the cost for cable and parts alone was more than pre-fab MI-TEE or ADJ equivalent.
The gepco cable is pretty stiff because of the braided shield, however I have yet to have a bad cable for whatever reason, and the flexibility of it has never been an issue. Neutrik ends are a must.
I work for a rental company that used to use MI-TEE DMX cable. The quality was atrocious... I found that every week there were at least 3 bad cables somewhere, and spent the majority of my time with them trying to fix the cables. The ends would 'break' (solder joints) within the connector, and leave the cable to look like it was brand new. After a long discussion with the owner, we switched over to Conquest cable. Only reason we chose conquest was for dealership reasons, and they shrink tubed our logo on the ends and color coded them pre-fab, which was nice but expensive.
If you want the cables YOUR way, definitely make them. If you are looking for a bargain deal and do not want to spend heavy time making your own, buy pre-fab. Some pre-fab's have warranties too, which is a plus.
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It's time for me to stop using mic cables for DMX.
Where are you buying your DMX cable?
What cable are you using?
What ends are you using?
We use Delco 390085 (http://www.delcowire.com/datasheet.asp?product_nbr=390085) for our three-pin DMX. It's purple, so you'll never mistake it for mic line. It has a stiffer feel to it than many others, which you may or may not like. Similar feel to Canare L-4E6S. Braided shield. I forget what we use for the five-pin, but it's green. Neutrik ends.
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I use VRL which makes some fine cables (every connection inside is shrink wrapped). Always been flawless. I have a friend with a wholesale account if you're interested.
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I use and SELL the ACCU CABLE.
I have been very happy with this for my usage and on installations. The price is excellent as well.
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I bought some of the blue 110ohm cable from audiopile and neutrik ends and "rolled my own." For one reason, i had to make several short jumpers to run between led par cans on a t-bar. Plus i like the fact that they are blue and easily distinguishable from my mic cables.
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On a similar note what lengths do you guys use? Also what do you find using more 3ft, 5ft, 10ft, 15ft....?
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It's time for me to stop using mic cables for DMX.
Where are you buying your DMX cable?
What cable are you using?
What ends are you using?
I love Clark & Wire DMX pro cable. Very good quality, wraps great and isnt a bad price ($.44). I also like Neutrik ends. I do all my mic cables with black xlr connectors, and all my DMX with silver.
Thanks
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On a similar note what lengths do you guys use? Also what do you find using more 3ft, 5ft, 10ft, 15ft....?
All of mine are custom becuase my setup never changes. Handful of 1.5' jumpers between fixtures on T-bars, 5' lengths to go between tbars on truss, one 25' and one 50' (to go between stagebox and first fixture). And yes, i run DMX through my snake, control lights from FOH and have no problems.
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On a similar note what lengths do you guys use? Also what do you find using more 3ft, 5ft, 10ft, 15ft....?
I have 6' (yellow heat shrink), 10' (white), 20' (green), 30' (blue), and 50' (red). I need to order more cabling and may make a couple of 100's but I find 50' the longest I ever need. If I need more than 50' the male conveniently plugs right into the female. Same goes for XLR connectors.
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On a similar note what lengths do you guys use? Also what do you find using more 3ft, 5ft, 10ft, 15ft....?
We keep ours to the same lengths as our Socapex cable...multiples of 8. 8', 16', 32', 48', 72', 96'. Which is, of course, the same length as a standard piece of truss. The intention being, should we ever have to pre-build a truss structure, we can break it at the truss joint. Or, easily array a truss length with socapex and DMX.