What cables and where to buy?

**Mitch G** · **09-14-06, 12:42 AM**

I've been poking around here all night and I couldn't find a shopping list for the cables and/or adapters one needs.
Does such a list exist?

At the very least, can someone point me to a source for the RCA-to-1/4" cable used between the RCVR and BFD and between the BFD and sub?

Additionally, a list of the other bits for the SPL meter connections would be nice. But, I think I know what I need there.

Thanks,

Mitch

**Sonnie** · **09-14-06, 01:41 AM**

Hi Mitch and welcome to the Shack!

There are some connection diagrams in the sticky threads that show the cables needed.

I had www.bluejeancables.com build my RCA to 1/4" cable. If you get the cable you shouldn't need adapters for those, however they would be RCA to 1/4".

For your soundcard you'll need Stereo mini-plug to L/R RCA x 2 for input and output.

Someone else might can post an official list for ya.

**brucek** · **09-14-06, 09:23 AM**

Quote:

I've been poking around here all night

The cables and adapters required are shown in the diagram below found in the REW Help Files.

brucek

**JohnM** · **09-14-06, 10:25 AM**

Radio shack part numbers are also listed in the help files.

**Mitch G** · **09-14-06, 01:04 PM**

Yeah, I saw the picture, but the thing that was spooking me was the 1/4" connector and whether or not there are different variations on that connector that would cause me a problem if I picked the wrong one.

But, I didn't notice the Radio Shack part numbers when looking and that was the missing link, pun intended.

That said, if anyone has a given part number that they've ordered for the RCA-1/4" cable (instead of using an adapter), that would be great.
Well, let me ask, could I use this cable:
http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--HOSCPR20
(I realize it's a dual cable and I only need one half of it.)

Thanks,

Mitch

**brucek** · **09-14-06, 03:13 PM**

Yeah, you can use that. Connectors look a bit cheap for my liking though.

I'd rather see the RCA to mono 1/4" adapter used with a decent RCA cable plugged into it.

brucek.

**Mitch G** · **09-14-06, 04:34 PM**

OK, so is the only option for a quality cable to have Blue Jeans make it for me?

Mitch

**09-14-06, 09:06 PM**

When you order the cables, they will ask you if you want TRS (stereo) or TS (mono) 1/4" plugs, specify TS.

If you have a soldering iron handy, you could make your own, buy a good quality 1/4' plug like Neutrik or G&H some cable and a RCA plug.

Or buy a ready made RCA cable, cut one end off and solder the 1/4" on the other end, there are some very cheap Monster MB400 subwoofer cables on ebay at the moment.

I know you don't need a special subwoofer cable, but the MB400 cables come in single runs and long lengths, are dual +/- core with the shield soldered at one end to drain the interference which is the recommended way to wire balanced to unbalanced cables according to http://www.vandenhul.com/artpap/wiring.htm and are probably cheaper than buying quality cable and a separate quality RCA plug.

Hope this helps

**Mitch G** · **09-14-06, 10:05 PM**

I kind of like the idea of soldering a 1/4" connector.
I have a pretty good sub cable already, so I could cut it in half and add 1/4" connectors to each end.

But, the statement about balanced to unbalanced confuses me since I thought RCA was unbalanced, and I thought the 1/4" connector was unbalanced.
For example, using the Van den Hul site, I thought this was the example I would have to use: http://www.vandenhul.com/artpap/wiring18.htm.

Sorry if I'm being dense, but the devil's in the details.

Thanks,

Mitch

**09-14-06, 10:38 PM**

Your idea sounds a good one and should work OK, remember one cable only needs to be long enough to run from the receiver to the BFD, leaving plenty of cable to run from the BFD to the sub

The balanced to unbalanced cable I was referring to is the second diagram on the page (bottom) using shielded twin core cable which they recommend in the paragraph below the diagrams. People here are using the cable in the first diagram (top) with no problems.

**Mitch G** · **09-14-06, 10:42 PM**

Julian,

Thanks. That explains things.

Now, I just have to wait for the BFD and sound card to show up.

Mitch

**Josuah** · **09-15-06, 12:49 AM**

I have some of those Radio Shack connectors. They're pretty . So I wouldn't recommend them. It's easy to find pro-audio cables that have different connection types on each end though.

**tdamocles** · **09-25-06, 06:12 PM**

How many cables do I need if I use the midi connection?

**Josuah** · **09-25-06, 08:22 PM**

The MIDI connection is only used to program the unit from a computer. It's not used for transmitting the audio. (In this case, at least.)

**tdamocles** · **09-25-06, 08:40 PM**

Quote:

Josuah wrote:

The MIDI connection is only used to program the unit from a computer. It's not used for transmitting the audio. (In this case, at least.)

So 2 midi cables are not needed since data is only being transmitted to the BFD and not back....

**Josuah** · **09-26-06, 06:09 PM**

Correct. And you only need the MIDI cable if that's how you're going to program it, instead of manually using the buttons on the front.

**Mitch G** · **09-26-06, 09:48 PM**

If I can jump in here - to make sure I'm clear on something, the Midi cable is a USB-Midi cable, right? And these are something like $30, right?
Because, after looking around at prices, I decided to skip the Midi stuff given the price. (What can I say, I'm a cheapskate.

)

Mitch

**09-27-06, 01:34 AM**

The midi cable has a 5 pin DIN (round) connector on each end and runs between the midi interface and the FBD

The USB cable usually runs between the computer and the midi interface and is normally supplied or attached to the midi interface.

Julian

**Ayreonaut** · **09-27-06, 01:50 PM**

Here's the whole batch of B&H's Phone (1/4") to RCA Cables here.

I have these 10 footers. They're $14. link

**jagman** · **09-30-06, 06:13 PM**

Check out these. Are they any good?

I'm trying to find female to female XLR's... it's tough. No body seems to carry them. Who doesn't want female on female... cables?

**brucek** · **09-30-06, 07:09 PM**

Quote:

Are they any good?

The RCA connectors look very cheap....

Quote:

Who doesn't want female on female... cables?

Normally devices connect male to female...

brucek

**jagman** · **09-30-06, 07:25 PM**

Questions regarding the hook up of the SPL meter, the soundcard and the audio system...

It makes most sense to me to plug the output of the soundcard into an input on the receiver as we are ultimately dealing with the in room response below 100 Hz. Since the sub crosses over to the mains below that frequency both the sub and mains undoubtedly have an effect what we hear. It is logical to adjust for the sound coming out both simultaneously as opposed to adjusting for the subwoofer alone... right? If we adjust the sub to our preferred curve, but then add on the mains, what we hear will be different than what we intended, right?

**brucek** · **09-30-06, 07:32 PM**

Quote:

It is logical to adjust for the sound coming out both simultaneously as opposed to adjusting for the subwoofer alone... right?

Ultimately yes, but first you equalize with the sub only with the mains off. When complete, then the mains are added in to correct for any changes around the crossover.

brucek

**jagman** · **09-30-06, 07:53 PM**

Once again... thank you!

**Wayne A. Pflughaupt** · **10-01-06, 11:25 PM**

These are some of the nicest I’ve seen – from Muscian’s Friend.

The ones Naut showed don’t look too bad either.

Regards,
Wayne

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