How to Make Audio Cables

Professional musicians everywhere know just how easy it is to kill an audio cable. They also know how expensive the cables are to replace and how the sound is affected with each new cable. That is why most pros make their own audio cables. It is an operation best undertaken only by those well versed in soldering and cable stripping. These are general instructions that should be tailored for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soldering equipment
• Pliers
• Wire cutters
• Braiding cable
• 4 connectors (for example RCA, XLR, or any other type required for your equipment)
• PVC shrink tubing
• Polyester mesh sleeving
• Audio cable

1. Identify your ground and signal wires on the braided cable. Strip each wire with the wire cutters, being very careful not to cut the wire. Cut through the insulation. Twist the stripped wire end. Do both ends of the cable.

2. Pull on first the polyester mesh and then the PVC tubing, if it is required. Follow the shrinking directions on the PVC tubing package. Skip this step if you are using a cable that already has a casing.

3. Take the barrel off one of the connectors. Put the connector over the exposed ends. Loosen the screw on the connector as needed to get a snug fit. The connector should hang over onto the unexposed portion of the cable. Tighten the screw.

4. Solder the signal wire to the center pin of the connector, then solder the grounding wire to the grounding bar. Be sure to have the wires touching the connector and not separated by a dot of solder.

5. Use the pliers to crimp the collar down over the cable. Screw on the connector's body.

6. Test the cable to ensure that it works.

Resources

• A site that caters to professional musicians