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As musicians, many of us often find ourselves wrapping up instrument cables, microphone cables, extension cords, and all the other sorts of stringy things a musician might require to shred.
Here at Sylvan Music, we see a lot of instrument cables, coiled and otherwise, and I am here to tell you that not all cables are coiled equally. There is a right and a wrong way to wrap up a cable. It might be a bit more time consuming, but coiling cables properly will make them easier to unwrap when you’re setting up, and will extend the life of the cable by not adding unnecessary twists and kinks. So then “how do I wrap up a cable properly,” you ask? One tried and true method is the “over and under.” To do this yourself follow the steps listed below: 1. Take cable end in your left hand with jack facing away from you. 2. Make the first loop by grabbing the cable 12-18 inches down with right hand, make a forward circle, and place the cable in your stationary left hand. 3. Here’s where it gets a bit tricky. Continuing to hold the cable in your left hand, take hold of the cable with your right hand about 12 to 18 inches down from your left hand as you did in step 2, except this time, turn your right hand over so that your palm is facing up when you place the cable in your right hand (the cable should cross the palm of your right hand from left to right, not right to left). 4. Continuing to hold the cable with both hands, and without moving your left hand, move your right hand toward your left hand while rotating your right hand so that when it reaches your left hand the back of your right hand is now facing up instead of your palm. The cable has now “looped” inward creating your second loop. 5. Continue Steps 2 through 4 until your cable is nicely coiled! If that was too confusing, which let’s be honest, it was, check out this video where pro cable winder Chris Babbie explains this method. - Cameron
17 Comments
7/13/2023 06:20:06 am
Thank you for sharing these steps. This is Well-written. 8/23/2023 07:24:34 pm
I'm a little bit confused. Thanks for providing a video for us to understand this further. 9/14/2023 10:48:16 pm
Make sure to avoid getting your cable in a tie. This can cause damage to both the cable and the tie, and it's an easy mistake to make. To prevent this, simply be mindful of where your cable is when you're wearing a tie. Keep your cable on the opposite side of your body from your tie, and be careful not to let them cross paths. Following this simple tip can save you from costly repairs and keep you looking sharp.
The article highlights the importance of properly coiling and storing instrument cables, microphone cables, and extension cords for musicians and audio enthusiasts. Using the "over and under" coiling method is recommended to prevent tangles and extend the life of cables, despite it requiring a bit more time and practice. The article also emphasizes the value of education within the music and audio equipment community and provides a video tutorial featuring a professional cable winder, Chris Babbie, to demonstrate the correct coiling technique and share knowledge. Overall, the article encourages musicians to take care of their cables to enjoy better sound quality and longer-lasting equipment. 1/2/2024 09:44:33 pm
You've done an incredible job with this website. I'll recommend it to my friends; they'll benefit from it for sure. 2/1/2024 08:40:21 am
6/17/2024 04:29:50 am
keep posting such stuff. Thanks a lot for the information. 5/15/2025 09:30:48 am
Coiling cables correctly can make them easier to unwrap during setup and prolong their lifespan by preventing needless twists and kinks, even though it may take a little more effort. 5/21/2025 05:28:01 pm
It will extend the life of the cable by not adding unnecessary twists and kinks. 5/22/2025 03:52:46 pm
Always keep your cable on the opposite side of your body from your tie, and be careful not to let them cross paths 8/6/2025 02:31:05 pm
To prevent this, simply be mindful of where your cable is when you're wearing a tie. 9/12/2025 05:11:17 pm
Make the first loop by grabbing the cable 12-18 inches down with right hand, make a forward circle, and place the cable in your stationary left hand. 10/19/2025 06:56:47 pm
Aha, this is where it gets a bit tricky! That hand flip, turning the right hand palm facing up. Got to make sure the cable should cross the palm in the right direction! Thanks for the clear instructions! 11/26/2025 10:48:45 am
This is such a critical topic for anyone working with sound or lighting equipment. I've seen far too many near-disasters because of poorly managed cables snaking across a venue floor. Taking the time for proper cable organization is truly an investment in safety and professionalism. Leave a Reply. |
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