How to Make Your Own Audio Cables
When people speak generically of "audio cables" in home audio, the RCA cable springs to mind. Pairs of RCA cables generally carry stereo (right and left channel) signals from the outputs of various audio devices to the inputs of amplifiers or receivers. Thus each stereo cable includes two separate audio cables and two plugs at each end, one carrying the right channel signal and the other carrying the left channel.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Shielded two-conductor wire Wire cutters/strippers RCA plugs Soldering iron Rosin core solder
Instructions
-
-
1
Cut a piece of shielded two-conductor wire to the desired length. In most home audio-gear applications, a length of 3 to 4 feet provides plenty of cable for making connections. To be on the safe side, measure before you cut the wire.
-
2
Remove about 1 inch of the wire's outer jacket. Then strip 3/8 to 1/2 inch of insulation from each of the leads.
-
-
3
Unscrew the shell of your RCA plug and slide it over the wire. The threaded end of the shell should face the end of the wire. Hold the positive lead of the wire against the center tab of the RCA plug and then apply the soldering iron until it is hot. Apply solder and let it flow into the joint. Remove the soldering iron and let the joint cool.
-
4
Solder the negative lead of the wire to the outer tab of the RCA plug. Use the same method described in Step 3. Slide the jacket over the soldered joints and screw onto the plug.
-
5
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 at the other end of the wire. This will give you one RCA audio cable. If you're connecting a stereo (right and left) output, make another audio cable for the other channel.
-
1
