Top Tips For Soldering Pedalboard Patch Cables

The title says it all. I don't want to just show you how to make a patch cable but rather how to spot a good, long lasting solder connection.
Soldering your own cables not only saves you money, but allows you to fix any standard issue that comes up with cables on your board. This is a natural starting point for eventually moving on to basic pedal mods and repairs... The possibilities are endless.
Check out this video to find out if this is a skill that will benefit you in future.
SPOILER ALERT - It will.
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Video Content:
00:00 - Intro
01:11 - Tool List
07:11 - Plugs And Cable
07:44 - I Forgot About Fume Extraction!
08:46 - Making The Cable
14:38 - Tips On Solder Connections
18:06 - Cable Testing Options
20:00 - Testing With A Multi-meter
21:25 - Review Important Points

[@daviddowns16]

This video came at the perfect time!! Having the hardest time with SP400 tip connection. A little move and they have a short. However, No issue with any of the SPS4 lol!

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Feel free to email me and I can tell you a bit about what's going on with SPs at the moment. [e-mail]

[@geo5772]

I need to see that Goodwood Soldering Jig offered on the custom shop! Rattle extra! What!? No MIDI connector!? 😉

[@GoodwoodAudio]

it's coming!

[@1Aquadon]

thanks for the video.. is there a certain formula or brand of liquid flux you find is best ?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

I've never explored this too deeply. I use MG Chemicals flux... I think I always have and never had a reason to change!

[@TGM38931]

Is there a proper way to measure cable length when soldering cables so that you don't cut the cable too short or too long? Clean cable management is a must for me

[@GoodwoodAudio]

easiest way...solder one end, put it on your pedalboard / loosely tie it down and cut it when it's on the board at the destination... harder to solder the 2nd plug this way, but much cleaner as far as length / cable channels go.

[@ElRoquerox]

Any tips for making patch cables from previously-made ones? I made some cables awhile back and now contemplating making my cables shorter to tidy up my board.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

I'd just keep one end soldered, chop the other side down to the length you need... Do your best to clean off excess solder on the plug you're going to re-use though.

[@ElRoquerox]

Ok will do! Thanks for taking the time to reply. I appreciate all the videos as I’ve been learning a lot from them. Keep up the good work!

[@GoodwoodAudio]

@@ElRoquerox thanks for checking them out!

[@CamBaldeon]

Love the videos, It feels like the face cam is to close though.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

On the back half of the video... User error! Poorly set shot but was too late to re-shoot. haha. Was hoping no one would notice!!

[@mironoskroba8637]

When you measure cable's resistance using the multimeter, what is the best ohm range so we can approve the test?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

generally only a couple of ohms max or lower for a typical patch lead

[@post-man23]

Would you advise to add heat shrink after soldering?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

If there isn't much strain relief from the plug, it can help, yes, but I wouldn't say it's necessary

[@post-man23]

@@GoodwoodAudio thanks

[@pipwerks]

Great tips/tutorial, thanks. Love the cable sheath puller thingie. I did find the background music distracting

[@GoodwoodAudio]

Thanks Philip. Too loud? Or just better with silence in the background in your opinion?

[@pipwerks]

@@GoodwoodAudio My personal preference is no music during narration, but everyone has their own opinion. :) I tend to watch videos at 1.25 or 1.5x, which can really make the music weird sometimes. The choice of music has an effect as well; in this case, playing back at 1.5x the music sounded like a steady wash of noise in the background, which sometimes made it harder to listen to. Don't get me wrong, I love me some shoegaze, but there's a time and place. Thanks again for sharing your tips, this was a very useful video

[@GoodwoodAudio]

@@pipwerks good to know!

[@stevechance4422]

Is there any advantage of using 2319 over 2314?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

2314 is smaller (takes up less room), 2319 is a bit more robust, has an extra layer of shielding (a dielectric) which also means if it's moved while audio is passing through it, you won't hear the movemnt in the audio line... 2314 you will. For pedalboards this really isn't an issue though and overall, 2314 is a good option.

[@allyourbasearebelongtous2191]

Does that flux youre using come the way you have it? In liquid form?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

yup. Just have to buy the bottle with the needle separately though.

[@kevinp_25]

Great info. What temperature is your iron at?

[@GoodwoodAudio]

start around 375c and adjust from there.

[@murder_out]

I've been corrected both ways on the pronunciation of Solder, so at this point I just say whatever I want. Lol

[@GoodwoodAudio]

I like that. I'm with you.

[@chrissharratt4615]

How come you don’t tin you joint first

[@78tag]

What else did he forget?

[@PaulHikes2]

Good tips - thank you! Not sure where you're from, but on the American side of the pond, it's pronounced sauder (or sodder). Hearing the "L" sounds incorrect to these colonial ears. Both are correct, however. Say the word how you learned it🙂

[@GoodwoodAudio]

haha ya I used to say sodder... Until getting corrected endlessly as the 'right way' is "Solder"... My default is sodder too.

[@allyourbasearebelongtous2191]

Says "Solder" so weird. Lol. Dont get me wrong... im not saying its wrong or something. Im just used to hearing it the other way. Like hes saying Soul-der, i guess im saying it probably the wrong way.. lol. Or its my accent... idk. Sau-der, L is silent. I dont think either is right or wrong or whatever. Thats dumb. This is a great video and thats what matters.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

haha I always say Saw-der too... then I got called out for not saying SOUL-Der... This makes me feel better...maybe I can go back to my roots.

[@allyourbasearebelongtous2191]

@GoodwoodAudio Do it. Screw the haters. Might as well mess with everyone and pronounce it super loud and slow each way everytime you have to say it. That way you're wrong and right every time no matter what! Lol.

[@GoodwoodAudio]

love it. @@allyourbasearebelongtous2191

[@CaptainRon1913]

Must be a canadian... "soul-der"

[@GoodwoodAudio]

I apologised under my breath as well and took a swig of maple syrup off camera.