Gadgetry’s Golden Rule
Don’t buy expensive cables. I agree- except.
When it comes to purchasing studio cables (XLR, 1/4″, RCA, etc), my experience has been that you’re much, much better off spending a few extra bucks for the nicer cable. Not because the quality of the copper wire is any better, nor because there’s any special voodoo done to the conductor, but because the quality of the connector is so much better. Cables in a studio environment, if they’re treated well, usually go bad within the first two or three inches of the end. This is because you’re constantly plugging and unplugging them. Paying a bit more for good connectors is worth it. Plus, the shielding is often better, which rejects RF interference.
In my old studio setup ten years ago, I would occasionally hear the high-frequency airline chatter from planes as they came in to land at our local airport. I’d bought cheaper low-sheilding cables and could tell the difference. But I have some cables in my current setup that are well over a decade old and are still going strong.
One other thing: once you put together a major setup (I have 100+ cables in my current studio), getting behind the gear, testing cables, and untangling the one that’s gone bad can be half a day wasted. Better to pony up a few more bucks up front.
Figure anywhere from $10-15 each for a decent cable (and up, depending on length). Yes, it’s an investment, but like buying anything of quality, it’s one you’ll only make once.
But the author is 100% right about Monster Cables. NEVER buy Monster. They’re a demonstrated rip-off.