Rolling microphone cables correctly

[@timchambers5242]

While mic leads may come with the Velcro strap other leads do not. Before Velcro was invented we used a shoelace tied to the cable at one end. Roughly find the middle of the show lace and wrap around the cable and tuck the end under for a simple knot. You should have 2 ends which can then be wrapped around a coiled cable and tie it off like you would your shoes.

[@timchambers5242]

BTW:Wire = only the metal cores or a single wire with insulation.Cable = the bundling of 1 or more wires covered with insulation (optional shielding).Lead = A cable with connectors at both ends.

[@GaryDmedia]

+Tim Chambers what a great idea. Thanks for taking the time to share such a useful tip. I Appreciate it.

[@GaryDmedia]

+Tim Chambers that is something I wasn't aware of. Thanks again for your input. One thing I have picked up over the years is you never stop learning.

[@michaelmorales7582]

By the way..my first real instructor was Randy who would say wrap as you would an electrical extension cord length wise the around in the middle loop in and connect the ends.Couldnt do that either 😎 .but stellar haven..we got it didnt we ?

[@robertharker]

In Theater, " black tie" is used. It is 1/8", 3.5mm, black cotton cord. I prefer it over Velcro because it does not stick to itself.

[@shawnkovac2029]

i wanted to know for my 25' and 50' extension cords which i roll up about once every week or two in order to charge my electric vehicle. i head that the sound industry had a brilliant way to wind cables, and this video explains it! Thanks mate! the growing EV industry will love this tip from our brothers in the audio industry!

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks Shawn, I appreciate you letting me. I am happy the video was helpful.

[@Max.44]

The over and under technique is very useful so thanks for that. But it would have been nice to put the camera further away because a lot of your hand movement wasn't visible.

[@GaryDmedia]

HaHa, good point. I can't count how many times I've thought the same. I appreciate you commenting.

[@Jose-wt7sc]

Thanks for this video.. I study for Audiovisual specialist and need to do this quite often but didn't know how to do it so this video really helped me out! Thank you so much!

[@GaryDmedia]

I’m glad it has helped. Thanks for the feedback.

[@hcmusic101]

I always roll my cables up incorrectly because at the end of a long night, the only thing I care about is getting the hell out of there asap.

[@GaryDmedia]

HAHA! Yes I’ve had gigs like that in the past. Thanks for sharing your comment.

[@sirspongadoodle]

@@GaryDmedia yo my dad and I are going out to a gig tomorrow (it’s my first gig ima do) so thanks for the electrical tape advice (I looked at other guides and they just recommended to use electrical tape)

[@GaryDmedia]

Hope the gig goes well for you. Yes the tape is a good idea, just remember if it’s left for a long time the tapes sticky glue can get on your cable. Enjoy your first gig.

[@sirspongadoodle]

@@GaryDmedia it was great! Thank you

[@sonicperformance]

Thank you, at last Someone has shown the fastest way. You don’t need to take your hand off the cable using the flick under method for the reverse loop. If you twist the cable between you thumb a fingers forward, it will naturally make a forward loop, twist it backward and a reverse loop will be formed. It’s takes a little practice. I have been doing it for 20 years and can roll a 20metre cable in 6 seconds.

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks @sonicperformance for sharing your experience. You can make it more difficult than it needs to be. There are other methods like you say. It just takes a little practice.

[@michaelmorales7582]

Thanks Garie Davys for these 2 methods as my new Shure Mic cable is still in its wrapping the way purchased and shipped.I have a question Mr. DAVYS Simple Audio Tips , I'm left- handed * Even have a book on Leftys) When I worked on our yard as a kid and for a Tile Contractor the hose and then the orange extension cords I found winding ' my way' 😊 and same with the garden hose! But with my new mic cables and guitar cables plus a few computer cables would you mind or consider how I as lefty would proceed?

[@GaryDmedia]

HaHa, it can be a challenge. Tip: just watch my video using a mirror. I’m sure that will do it. It is the same principle. My son is a lefty.

[@robertharker]

To start your career in audio, learn to coil cables over-under. Get a 25 foot, 7-8 meter, mic cable and practice coiling it for 10-15 minutes everyday for a month or two. Practice until you can coil the cable quickly and more importantly can throw the cable holding on to your starting end and have it deploy without tangles. For a job interview bring your mic cable and ask if you can demonstrate your cable coiling skills. Believe me, this will make you much more skilled than other newbie applicants that can't. Learning how to coil cables is the single most important skill to learn for someone wanting to start an audio career. More important than any class you might take or degree you might earn. Why? Because if you can professionally wrap cable you are immediately useful at teardown of the stage or recording studio. Saving time when everyone else wants to get finished, get out and go home.

[@IsaacOLEG]

I am not sure you do it that way but I put a quarter turn in the cable in one direction for the first coil then the other direction for the next. So the coils fall over and under naturally and with the same hand motion. Not loosing contact with the cable help, I think. Thanks

[@GaryDmedia]

I have seen it done a variety of way and from what you explained it must work for you. The principle is not to keep twisting the cable one way. Thanks for taking the time to share your comments.

[@comment2009]

In TV sports production I use 1/8" theatrical tie line for cable ties. In a pinch gaff tape. Use same method as shown. Always double over to prevent glue on the cable and leave a tab at the end. Way too many college students today not taught basic cable wrap procedures.

[@GaryDmedia]

The tie line is a good idea too. Thanks for adding your comment. I appreciate it.

[@alcraig1]

Here in Australia, and in TV sports productions, we almost always use electrical tape. It only leaves a sticky residue if the cable is stored for a long time. We tend to use our cables weekly so there is never a problem. We use it on mic cables, mult-cores, cat5, fibre cables, triax and SMPTE cables

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks so much for your professional input. I really appreciate it. Yes short term use of tape is a convenient tie if it is only temporary but not a long term solution. Thanks for commenting.

[@alcraig1]

@@GaryDmedia Gotta wonder why cables would be tied for the long term. If one is not wrapping and un-wrapping daily (or at least weekly) then one is probably not in the right job (nudge-nudge-wink-wink)

[@sterlingteaches]

I was taught the over under method when I worked at a TV station years ago. I now work at a high school and I cut my own cables from a spool of Coaxial cable from a local hardware store. We use these cables to run SDI signal from camera to switcher. The Coax cable is more rigid and does not coil well. I saw a local production company wrapping their coax cable up in a plastic spool type device, which looked much easier than fighting the coax. My question is should I continue with the over under method with Coax cable or could I wrap it around a cable holder (or spool) without damaging it. I would like to see what your thoughts are. Thank you in advance for any suggestions that you can give on the topic.

[@GaryDmedia]

With the experience you have you will know the issues you face with damaged cables. SDI cable is very sensitive and must be installed or rolled safely without distorting the cable. Manufacturers supply cable on rolls so they can be transported safely and I think that this is the best way to store long runs. In saying that you still need to take care not to stretch or roll them too tightly because this would be just as bad. Shorter lengths for patching recorders or converters could be safely stored with the over under method. Hope that helps a little. By the way, I love the video you created on setting up Wirecast app on the Macbook Pro. You must enjoy your work as a teacher.

[@sterlingteaches]

I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my question. I feel better about storing long run cables on a spool and still teaching my students over/under for shorter cables. Thanks for your comment on my wirecast video, I do enjoy teaching, it is hard work, but rewarding too.

[@GaryDmedia]

+Sterling Teaches great to chat with you. Keep up your great work.

[@alcraig1]

You first problem is buying coax from a hardware store. Once you acquire professional coax, the over under method works just fine.

[@tr-austin]

This is called the Over/Under method. It's what professional stagehands use when paging cable for cameramen in the audience. There is no time for knots & twists when you are in the middle of a WWE crowd filming... ;) I recommend shorter loops as your coil was still not quite OCD enough for me. LOL The biggest tip I can give is to make sure you let the cable coil at the SIZE it wants to coil. Don't be stubborn & do it at the size YOU want, or it will not cooperate.

[@GaryDmedia]

That’s a really good tip. Thanks TR Austin.

[@redbadger3531]

A good idea but the camera angle makes it difficult to see what your right hand is doing, it appears out of shot leaving viewer to guess how you are holding the cable at the start of each coil.

[@GaryDmedia]

Good point Red Badger. Yes poorly shot this one. My early attempt at filming without a remote monitor. Sorry about that.

[@ViVidNerve]

If you use a cable reel, does it twist the cable in a negative way, thus destroying the wires inside? Or is that motion of rolling okay?

[@GaryDmedia]

+ViVidNerve Using a cable roller does not twist the cable. It is a very good way to store your cables if you have the room. One thing you do have to be careful of is not rolling them too tight. Stretching cables will distort the conductors. Great question.

[@michaelmorales7582]

Thanks Gary for this informative video '10' stars. Would the winding inside as a thought for research and development could you imagine a fiber optic strand or a inni lefty winding just for the spoiled ' I'm left handed' there we go! Speak a da doich?

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks Michael, I didn't even consider a left handed person. Good point.

[@devikavisintin8438]

I really enjoyed your video Gary, thanks heaps it was very helpful.

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks Devika, I appreciate you letting me know. I’m glad the video was helpful.

[@johnlackner1193]

How do you unwrap the cable without getting knots in it?

[@GaryDmedia]

The good part about this method is you just lay the roll on the floor and grab one end and just drag it out. It shouldn’t tangle.

[@VictorLaMonde]

OK. I do it slightly differently starting with end pointing towards me rather than away and doing over and under loops or over hand under hand, But I'm buggered if I can work out what causes the cable to form knots when uncoiling. Somehow an end gets up back in a loop. and yes they are velcro tied.

[@GaryDmedia]

Whatever method you use there is always a chance that you will get a minor tangle. It only minimises the chance if a mess. This is why rolling them on a spool is always best.

[@VictorLaMonde]

While theres plenty of instruction on how to coil cable correctly, theres nothing on how to uncoil cable. If one end gets pulled the wrong way then its a string of knots. If its an XLR and the ends line up I also like to plug them in. good idea or bad? helps avoid corrosion and crap getting in the female if anything

[@VictorLaMonde]

A spool is a good idea as long as you don't exceed minimum bend radius . I would have a dummy cable or cord with a connector attached at the beginning of the spool so no chance of bending. Also you need a different spool for each cable length, short medium and long

[@alcraig1]

The trick to avoiding knots is to ensure that when you've finished coiling the cable the backs of the XLRs are nearly adjacent and on opposite sides of the coils. Then once secured TIGHTLY (and yes, I use electrical tape all the time - it does not leave a residue), one must be very careful at the next gig when getting ready to use the cable.

[@VideoUpskill]

Awesome such a clean tutorial. Great work.

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks so much, I appreciate your feedback.

[@D0CT0RS0UL]

Simple and very comprehensive ! 2 thumbs up !

[@GaryDmedia]

+D0CT0RS0UL thanks. I appreciate the feedback.

[@ticoito7069]

why you don´t use noyce one lavalier mic? in las video you say that noyce one is better than rode smartlave+, sorry my english :)

[@GaryDmedia]

Very good point, This model of the Noyce one has very high sensitivity. Most of my work does not require this. The other issue is availability. It may be difficult for most people to get them until production ramps up in the future. Thanks for commenting.

[@apaope]

Another way to keep your cables restrained is to put them in ziploc pouches. Keeps them dust free also are much cheaper that buying velcro ties.

[@GaryDmedia]

Now that's a great idea for storing your gear. Thanks for the tip.

[@GetRealBaby]

Another way to keep cables restrained is to use a carpenter's staple gun. I guarantee the cable won't unwind!

[@learnerforever6933]

Thank you very much! Very useful. Appreciated.

[@GaryDmedia]

+Learner Forever No worries at. Happy it was helpful. My brother rolls cables another way so I hope to video that one day.

[@funnyornotherewecome709]

Thanks for helping me with tips. I think I need to replace a cable and will take care of the new one better.

[@GaryDmedia]

+Funny or Not Here We Come yes sometimes that's the best option. Cables are well down on the care scale. Thankfully they are not a high cost component. Thanks for commenting.

[@studerA80]

1/4" diameter cotton rope is great. doesn't stick to itself or the carpet. tie the rope at the male XLR end so that you have two equal lengths; i.e., the knot is in the middle of the 18" rope. after coiling cable, tie ends around coil with either 3 over-under or a square knot. velcro just cleans the carpet, gathers pet hair, and doesn't relax when you're ready to tie up the coil. if you use a color rope it's easy to spot yr cables too. that's why ya put them on the male end, where it goes to the stage box/panel, not the mic...

[@GaryDmedia]

+studerA80 Hey that's a really cool idea! What a great tip. Thanks for sharing it. I know what you mean about the Velcro sticking to the carpet and everything else.

[@GaryDmedia]

So good to hear your experience. I think there are so many alternatives today to keep your leads tidy. Thanks for sharing your comment.

[@GetRealBaby]

Naa...if you're worried about spotting your cables, use a hawser. They're hard to miss.

[@jimmy5F]

it's easier if you hold the first end pointing toward yourself, so the coils form clockwise. That way, you don't have to tuck your wrist under the cord; just grab the first loop thumb up, and the next loop thumb down.

[@GaryDmedia]

Yes, that's a very good way to do it too. Thanks for sharing that method as well Jimmy.

[@GetRealBaby]

But I don't like putting my thumb down. Is it ok to put my thumb sideways instead?

[@alcraig1]

You should be able to do it either way and in either hand.

[@joelgeorge7655]

I use reusable cable ties. Works pretty well

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks Joel. Yes they are really handy.

[@pubg.elkhetib3726]

You Oz Video paralleled turned up Iwas Pei link interference in outer soundcard

[@profquad]

one problem with this over under technique is it can come out it knots. going completely over your other hand so each loop falls sequentially is one way to avoid this. another is twisted both directions with each loop, which is hard to imagine and easier to do on the floor.

[@GaryDmedia]

That's a great suggestion. Thanks for sharing it. I will give it a go.

[@alcraig1]

If you use the over under method, be sure to finish up with the XLR connectors nearly adjacent to one another and secure tightly with electrical tape (good tape does not leave a residue). Then when preparing to use the cable on the next gig, a few extra seconds spent carefully undoing the tape and study-ing the wrap will go a long way to avoiding knots. I think the other method you mentioned is what we call figure 8. 100 meter lengths of multicore are done this way on the ground.

[@wesgarland]

For any cable over 10' (3m) in length, I use an overhand knot made with the cable end itself to secure the cable if there is no velcro tie available. Doing this with shorter cables is not recommended as the bend radius of the knot is too small and places undue wear on the conductors.

[@GaryDmedia]

If there is no stress on the cables as you mentioned it may be a good option. Thanks Wes.

[@Typidica]

what about fixing cables that are already twisted and wonky?

[@GaryDmedia]

+Pabsgc Beats that's a really good question. What I have found is that most cases it can be fixed by leaving the cable in the sun and then rolling correctly. If the braid inside the cable has been twisted there is not much else you can do apart from running the cable right out and getting every twist you can out before re-rolling. Hope that is a tip you can use.

[@Typidica]

Simple Audio Tips ok ill try that even though theres not much sun in london at the moment. And did you mean straightening the cable bit by bit with some pressure? Because that seemed to have helped a little, ive also heard about hanging weights on both sides for a few days? Thanks anyway

[@GaryDmedia]

+Pabsgc Beats Sorry about the grey sky. Yes the gentle weight would help. It would allow the cable to twist back into shape. If it is distorted you will have to give it a hand.

[@Typidica]

Simple Audio Tips ok thanks ill try it out and subscribe

[@GaryDmedia]

+Pabsgc Beats thanks for that. Happy to help.

[@oldschooldjernie]

going wireless is the best method

[@GaryDmedia]

Good plan DJ Ernie.

[@oldschooldjernie]

thank you, cutting out mic cables is a big way to cut down on XLR's with wireless mics. Even getting wireless speakers can do it for 2 more cables, add a senheiser wireless mic receiver to the speakers eliminates that problem

[@hollydickerson3180]

thx for the tips

[@GaryDmedia]

No problem. I appreciate you commenting and letting me know.

[@RavirajaShetty]

Very informative...Thank you...

[@GaryDmedia]

+Raviraja Shetty I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Great to hear your feed back, thanks.

[@shakyblues2099]

Interesting you say not to use PVC tape. The entire professional touring world wraps their cables with it. I work on large scale pop concerts, international touring theatre shows and festivals. It's almost industry standard to use PVC. It doesn't leave noticeable residue if you don't use the cheap stuff and is the quickest way to secure coiled cables neatly, especially when you may have hundreds of them on a gig. We hand it out to crews all over the world before a derig. Its probably the most used consumable item on a big show.

[@GaryDmedia]

I really appreciate your professional input. Quality PVC tape used in your environment would be a versatile and economical method of securing cables to keep them tidy. In a non-professional setting where cables may be stored for long periods of time, cheap PVC tape creates a sticky residue that is frustrating to clean up. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.

[@Milesco]

I'm with Gary on this. In my experience, electrical tape leaves a horrible sticky gooey residue on everything it touches. :-(

[@alcraig1]

@@Milesco Good quality e-tape does not leave a residue if you are using your cables daily. I'm with Shaky Blues on this one. I've been a professional TV tech for 44 years.

[@الأثرالطيب-7]

Brilliant ❤

[@skidwick]

especially since so much of the scene is out of the frame.

[@GaryDmedia]

Yes, sorry about that. It was one of my early videos and I had no way of monitoring what was out of frame. Thanks for commenting anyway. I appreciate the feedback.

[@tordsonander]

My old guitarr teacher told me to fold the cable in half a couple of times and then tie the bunch into a knot. Quite fast and efficient. Not sure if it is good or not. I ended up beeing a chemist, not a rock star so... :-D

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks Tord for commenting. The principle is not to twist or kink the cable. This breaks down the even structure inside the cable. Using the the knot method you described will tend to distort the cable. If knotted fairly loosely it may be fine. I think you get the idea. Hope that helps you decide.

[@GetRealBaby]

Naa...not good. A carpenter's staple gun works best.

[@alcraig1]

Guitarists are the worse when it comes to cable management.

[@gareymorgan8339]

The way I see it, you’ve got Two choices…buy cheap cables routinely and they’re sure to fail on you, whether you roll them correctly or not! OR…you can buy good cables, roll them correctly and they’ll last forever! I always buy high quality cables…they’re expensive…but I also have cables in my inventory that are 10 years old or more and still in perfect working condition. That’s because I insist they be rolled correctly…I wanna load out as quickly as possible too…but not at the expense of treating my gear like $h@#!t. Improperly rolling cables, damages the cables insulation and eventually causes the cable to fail…so, FIRST…buy quality cables…and SECOND…roll them correctly…unless you like spending money to replace them! 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@LeoMahoney70]

I use Bongo Ties to secure bundle.

[@GaryDmedia]

What a great idea. I just searched online for them and they look like they would work very well.

[@GetRealBaby]

Bango Ties might work. Better idea is to use a hawser or mooring line. That way you'll never lose sight of your cable.

[@jasonsteinkamp3470]

I use velcrow ripties. Nothing is better in my opinion

[@GaryDmedia]

Great choice, they are very neat and tidy and easy to store. Have you purchased the "VELCRO® Brand Hook & Loop" or do you just save the ones you get when you purchase the lead?

[@lucmc123]

I use reals for my XLR cables

[@GaryDmedia]

Luc, that is probably the best way if all. Just need to be careful you don't stretch the lead of course. Thanks for commenting.

[@sithlord-ri6vc]

instead of velcro we have just a whole bucket of tie line

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

Some cords simply need the roll style... so if you have both types... just use roll for all, done!

[@hebus4]

I just fold my cables 1/2 , so that's bad ?

[@floridmonkey2723]

hebus4 yes

[@GetRealBaby]

No. Not bad. Very good. And be sure to secure them with a carpenter's staple gun.

[@novik6987]

Nice, thx !

[@GaryDmedia]

+Alexander Novitsky thanks. Yes a simple method and have seen some other ways of doing it since. Happy it works for you.

[@GaryDmedia]

+Alexander Novitsky I'm glad it was helpful.

[@sirspongadoodle]

Good video I gotta admit

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

[@davidgustavsson4000]

You think insulation tape is bad? Try brown box tape *shudders*

[@GaryDmedia]

HaHa! Been there. I have had to clean up after. Not at all enjoyable. Thanks for commenting.

[@davidlavendoph]

I still cant do it

[@GaryDmedia]

+CMgames10 1 Oh dear. It takes a bit of getting used to. Some roll cables differently but the principle is still the same. Just don't continually twist the cable. One twist one way then an opposite twist the other and they then equalise each other.

[@davidlavendoph]

Gary Davies - AudioTTR i have got it now thx fo that

[@GaryDmedia]

+CMgames10 1 That's great to hear. Thanks for letting me know.

[@djquiko]

Do you have indonesian roots?

[@GaryDmedia]

No sorry Andy, Third generation Aussie.

[@realchords8999]

I secure my cables with Postman's size rubber bands in the middle, so I get a figure 8.

[@GaryDmedia]

Yes that's another good idea. Thanks for sharing your comment.

[@Yousitech]

I roll my mic cables onto a cord reel

[@GaryDmedia]

That's probably the safest way to do it. Just have to be careful they are not rolled too tight. Really appreciate your comment. Good to hear how others are doing it.

[@alcraig1]

IMHO your loops are to big for that length of cable.

[@Pshdsa]

half your instruction is off the camera.

[@GaryDmedia]

+Don Graeber yes, sorry about that. A consequence of not having a video monitor for the camera. :)

[@sirspongadoodle]

BTW DONT ROLL AROUND YOUR ARM it’s horrible for the leads

[@christadams1888]

Next video,how to drink water correctly

[@GaryDmedia]

Awesome! HaHa. Yes it is a bit strange having to explain how to tidy up cables, but there you go. I’m glad some have benefited by it. 😂

[@mm-2018]

Bungie balls

[@smartm123]

To long