Too many Cables in home studio

[csarami@ncsu.edu]

Hi,

I have 12 channel mixer that sits on a small desk just under a rack of audio interface and hardware effects. I have many wiring connections ( audio cables and USB cables) all on my left side where the mixer is.

1. ( 3 microphones connected: Voice, acoustic guitar, and violin) for live performance.
2. Boss RC-300 with USB connected to hub for live performance
3. iPhone connected with minus-one setup for recording and live performance
4. Wacam Table USB ( when I teach )
5. Yamaha Synth connected to Computer via USB
6. Webcam Pen-tablet via USB
7. Headphones from Mixer and another USB headset to a USB hub.

There are other connections ( USB foot pedals, MFC 10 MIDI controller, USB mouse, synth to mixer, etc, that are OK).
I was wondering how do you guys handle too many cables next to you. Sometimes, they tangle and of course, don't look good.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

[The Elf]

Use multi-cores wherever you can, such as stage-boxes, or USB hubs. That can reduce the number of trailing cables enormously. A couple of multi-cores to a patchbay is a great way to hide all your audio cables in a stroke.

I still hide my worst cabling sins behind my racks, but in these days of all things desktop it's harder to maintain.

[shufflebeat]

Learn how to coil cables properly and take pride in how they look when the functional/aesthetic balance is good.

Lots of little multicores, as above.

[Luke W]

"Letterbox" type rack panels are a handy way of bring cables in and out of a rack, this sort of thing:

https://www.pennelcomonline.com/en/Penn-Elcom-1U-Rack-Panel-Slotted-for-Cable-Entry-with-Brushes-R12681UK-PBS/m-6397.aspx

My approach is usually to use cable ties and adhesive bases to fix down any permanent cables nice and neatly, and depending on how awkwardly placed connections are to make up patch panels to bring together anything I need access to regularly into a sensible place.

I have a mild obsession with cables being as neat as possible, but it makes all the difference in my opinion.

[shufflebeat]

I have a mild obsession...

Lightweight.

[Murray B]

I'm wondering if some form of non slip padding matting over the entire desk top would work...

Run the cables under it with a hole cut where they need to reappear?

Not had to do this myself but the first thought that came into my head. I made a pedal board / carry box for my guitar set up years ago using this kind of idea to keep the cables out of the way.

[csarami@ncsu.edu]

Thank you guys for the excellent ideas ! I enjoyed reading each and will try them. Once I am done, will send you a picture to see!

[Drew Stephenson]

I use this stuff: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08999PG6B/ ... NrPXRydWU=
Helps group stuff together to keep things out of the way.

[ManFromGlass]

I have nightmares about tidy cable people smothering me in my sleep after they see my setup. What do tidy cables say about a person’s mind?

[Drew Stephenson]

I have nightmares about tidy cable people smothering me in my sleep after they see my setup. What do tidy cables say about a person’s mind?

That they're worried about getting too many concussions from tripping over cables and hitting their heads?

[MOF]

What do tidy cables say about a person’s mind?

Do you want the Freudian or Jungian analysis? If it’s the former it will most probably have a sexual or early childhood anxiety dimension to it.

[Watchmaker]

Because I'm always tweaking my set up and need fast versatility, I've taken to using c-clamps to secure runs that travel around the desk. I use carabiners clipped to eye hooks high up the wall for running multicore across the room.

I try to segregate and bundle with velcro ties according to function (line, mic, analog/digital) and then run the bundles loosley through the opening of the clamp.

I keep mains on the floor and everything else off the floor.



(front of rack here for those curious about what all that cabling goes to...https://imgur.com/p1LrNcw)

[shufflebeat]

This stuff's quite good for keeping cables together. Note that it's not spiral wrap which is a bit of a pain. This one is pretty instant on/off and can be tacked to a wall or skirting board.

What do tidy cables say about a person’s mind?

Do bear in mind that it might mean the person concerned (whoever they might be) is generally hopelessly disorganised which has resulted in being caught out several times and now has only one aspect of their lives which is organised like a dentist's sock drawer and that is their leads box and stage etiquette.

...maybe.

[ef37a]

Couple of other thoughts. If you can make your own cables use small diameter, ~3mm foil shielded two core cable for 'semi-static' runs, i.e. NOT mic cables but those that get plugged in and then not moved much.

That spiral plastic is great for a home setup but a bit of a pain for mobile rigs, you can buy releasable cable ties.

Label both ends!

Dave.

[Arpangel]

I use multicore cables where I can, but a word of warning, unless your studio is more or less done, it's OK, but if you start to acquire more equipment you end up adding bits of cable along with the multicore, and it all starts to get a bit messy again.
So a lot of forward planning is needed, and maybe get a slightly larger multicore than you need, in certain areas of your studio.

[RobinC]

I tend to use Velcro cable ties and I’m a big fan of neoprene sleeves with either zippers or Velcro, great for bunching cables together and can normally be cut to size. I also use some under desk cable management trays. My midi interface and my audio interface are both 1U so I’ve got 2 x 1U racks mounted to the underside of my desks.

I’ve also recently got some cme WIDI master Bluetooth dongles that have helped reduce the clutter on a couple of devices where I’m not really worried about latency (not that I’ve audibly noticed any)