Breakout Box/XLR Cable Box?

[Terry Nutkins]

I'm looking to reduce cable clutter in my home studio. Currently I have 12 leads running from the mixer into my living room, which not only causes a mess but prevents the control room door from being shut properly.

A cable box (such as the ones below) appear to be an ideal solution (short of wireless xlr connectors)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/15m-Multi-Way-STAGE-SNAKE-8-4-8-4-XLR-Cable-Box-NEW_W0QQitemZ330284085619QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item330284085619&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OSP-RECESSED-METAL-FLOOR-CABLE-BOX-WITH-8-XLR_W0QQitemZ350099220667QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item350099220667&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

What should I be looking for when buying one? How important is quality? Could it negatively affect the signal chain?

thanks...

[James Percival]

What should I be looking for when buying one? How important is quality? Could it negatively affect the signal chain?

The usual names distinguish the quality - Neutrik connectors, Van Damme cable etc.

The more you pay, the greater the ruggedness and reliability. For home studio use, a cheap-ish model that isn't going to get thrown around, stepped on, plugged and unplugged very regularly, might suffice, but it won't last long if you're doing PA or touring etc.

Multicore snakes are used everyday by every studio, location recording company, broadcaster etc. on the planet. Theoretically, a cable will have negligible effect on your signal (especially when run balanced - as your mics will be - and over as short a length as 15 metres). I'm sure that there will be far greater limiting factors to your signal chain than a multicore...