Wrap Cables the way the pro’s do it.
Cables are one of the most common but worst-handled equipment used in the music industry, be it in the studio or out in the field at gig. Surprisingly it is not so difficult to properly use them, however, due to lack of training or knowledge, they go through unnecessary wear and tear in their wrapping for transport and storage and unravelling for use. This reduces their overall life and often causes tears and breaks in the core wires which diminishes the quality of the signal.
Cables are weakest at their joints to the connectors/jacks, and these points are normally fortified with additional shields. Often wire strands in longer cables break in the middle, when stretched out during laying them or when wrapping cables during pack-ups. Break location being difficult to identify renders the entire cable useless. It is simple to ensure that they don’t get tangled or knotted and easily unravel every time you need them. Store them so they don’t get damaged and last longer. One of these two cable wrap methods is normally used. Cables can be wrapped or coiled in two ways; the over/under coil method or the straight coil method.
Straight Coil Method
Wrap Cables using the straight coil method can result in annoying knots and messy wire storage compartments. Constantly twisting a cable in the same direction, forces the outermost wires within the cable to travel further than the inner wires causing the cable to break over time due to stress.
Over / Under Method
The over/under method is the best way to wrap and coil cables. Using this method of looping cables ensures that the cable does not develop twists or knots. It is also faster to de-tangle, and easier to store. The over/under method is best known to extend the life of a cable.
Here’s a simple video that will teach you how to wrap cables properly, so you don’t find them entangled the next time you have to use them.
