Cable Capacitance and Buffered Pedals:

[Inspector #20]

I've read a lot lately about capacitance issues from longer cables and I've watched the videos where folks played through increasingly longer cables to document the tonal effect.

I've also read a good deal about how buffered pedals are a big help with long cable runs.

All Boss pedals (I've read on a Boss web page) are buffeted and can be used with relatively long cable runs.

Now, when I am using my pedalboard, I have 72 inches (total) of patch cables.

I have a 25 foot cable going into the FX loop, a 25 foot cable coming out of the FX loop, a 25 foot cable connecting the pedalboard to the main amp and a 15 or 25 foot cable from guitar to board, depending on the stage.

That's a lot of cable.

On a small stage, like many of the breweries, I could literally just plug right into the amp and use a short cable:





But on bigger stages, like Mill Creek Cattle Company (my favorite venue) I'm way up front and my 25 footers are unrolled all the way:







So, I'm not really hearing a "sonic detriment" from all this cable, or am I just missing something???

 

[gball]

I dunno. Doesn't really seem like a lot of cable to me? Definitely not something you would be able to hear in a band setting anyway I wouldn't suspect.

You could always use a dedicated output buffer if you really think you need it

Mesa Boogie Clearlink Send Output Buffer and Line Driver | MESA/Boogie®

 

[Inspector #20]

I dunno. Doesn't really seem like a lot of cable to me? Definitely not something you would be able to hear in a band setting anyway I wouldn't suspect.

You could always use a dedicated output buffer if you really think you need it

Mesa Boogie Clearlink Send Output Buffer and Line Driver | MESA/Boogie®

Thanks, Man...

I was just curious and soliciting input from others. I think I'm ok though...still seems to cut through...although I will say that when I kick on my Dunlop Gcb95 wah it's really treblely and creates a real tendency for feedback, but I don't think that's related to capacitance...

Your wah behave like that??? Maybe it's where I have it in the front of the signal chain, in front of the TS-9, but it sounds good and really cuts through.

 

[gball]

Thanks, Man...

I was just curious and soliciting input from others. I think I'm ok though...still seems to cut through...although I will say that when I kick on my Dunlop Gcb95 wah it's really treblely and creates a real tendency for feedback, but I don't think that's related to capacitance...

Your wah behave like that??? Maybe it's where I have it in the front of the signal chain, in front of the TS-9, but it sounds good and really cuts through.

Honestly, that's the reason I stopped using a Wah. At least Dunlops suck tone and can get squealy. If I cared more I would try another brand.

 

[Inspector #20]

Honestly, that's the reason I stopped using a Wah. At least Dunlops suck tone and can get squealy. If I cared more I would try another brand.

I don't dig Wah, but it's needed for certain songs.

 

[gball]

I don't dig Wah, but it's needed for certain songs.

Right, that's why I got it. Have had it for decades, only got it back when i was doing a cover band thing. The hinge is so worn it won't stay in the cocked position any more, just stays shut if you take your foot off.

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

I've read a lot lately about capacitance issues from longer cables and I've watched the videos where folks played through increasingly longer cables to document the tonal effect.

I've also read a good deal about how buffered pedals are a big help with long cable runs.

All Boss pedals (I've read on a Boss web page) are buffeted and can be used with relatively long cable runs.

Now, when I am using my pedalboard, I have 72 inches (total) of patch cables.

I have a 25 foot cable going into the FX loop, a 25 foot cable coming out of the FX loop, a 25 foot cable connecting the pedalboard to the main amp and a 15 or 25 foot cable from guitar to board, depending on the stage.

That's a lot of cable.

On a small stage, like many of the breweries, I could literally just plug right into the amp and use a short cable:

View attachment 74782

View attachment 74788

But on bigger stages, like Mill Creek Cattle Company (my favorite venue) I'm way up front and my 25 footers are unrolled all the way:

View attachment 74779

View attachment 74778

View attachment 74790

So, I'm not really hearing a "sonic detriment" from all this cable, or am I just missing something???

If you want the lowest capacitance per foot it's Mogami cables.
But in guitar frequencies, it's not hi fi.
The capacitance will kill the highest frequencies but it may not be guitar frequencies.
So to really see the difference you need test equipment.
I use Mogami for mic cables and studio wiring.
Well yeah there's a difference but you may not hear it in a guitar cable.

 

[smitty_p]

I've read a lot lately about capacitance issues from longer cables and I've watched the videos where folks played through increasingly longer cables to document the tonal effect.

I've also read a good deal about how buffered pedals are a big help with long cable runs.

All Boss pedals (I've read on a Boss web page) are buffeted and can be used with relatively long cable runs.

Now, when I am using my pedalboard, I have 72 inches (total) of patch cables.

I have a 25 foot cable going into the FX loop, a 25 foot cable coming out of the FX loop, a 25 foot cable connecting the pedalboard to the main amp and a 15 or 25 foot cable from guitar to board, depending on the stage.

That's a lot of cable.

On a small stage, like many of the breweries, I could literally just plug right into the amp and use a short cable:

But on bigger stages, like Mill Creek Cattle Company (my favorite venue) I'm way up front and my 25 footers are unrolled all the way:

So, I'm not really hearing a "sonic detriment" from all this cable, or am I just missing something???

Essentially, you’ve just offered experiential support for the idea. The fact that you don’t hear much difference, if any, when using longer cable runs with the pedals indicates that the buffered pedals are having the desired result: minimal sonic loss.

However, even without the pedals, the loss would be mostly on the top end. The effect is more pronounced when using coiled cables because now you‘ve made an inductor out of the cable. This effect has actually been employed on purpose by Strat players of the past to tame some of the spikiness of a Strat, especially the bridge pickup.

 

[Inspector #20]

Essentially, you’ve just offered experiential support for the idea. The fact that you don’t hear much difference, if any, when using longer cable runs with the pedals indicates that the buffered pedals are having the desired result: minimal sonic loss.

However, even without the pedals, the loss would be mostly on the top end. The effect is more pronounced when using coiled cables because now you‘ve made an inductor out of the cable. This effect has actually been employed on purpose by Strat players of the past to tame some of the spikiness of a Strat, especially the bridge pickup.

Interesting...