YES, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Discover the ABCs of Audio Cables!

Believe it or not, audio cables have a long history. In 1881, Alexander Graham Bell invented the first twisted conductor cables, with the goal of eliminating crosstalk. What is this? It’s a telecommunications term that means that between two circuits, parts of the signals in one circuit (the disturbing circuit) appear in the other (the disturbed circuit). In other words, Bell created his cables to eliminate the interference and noise that occurred with early electrically conducting cables.

Many years later, in the 1980s, an international standard for cables was created with the participation of the AES (Audio Engineering Society) and the EBU (European Broadcasting Union), among other telecommunications organizations.

Today we have analog cables and digital cables . The difference is that the former transmit information through electrical current, while the latter transmit information through a binary string (ones and zeros).

En este artículo nos enfocaremos en darte la información básica sobre los cables analógicos, comenzando por mencionar que este tipo de producto transporta una señal eléctricamente exacta a una señal sonora, de manera que dicha señal analógica es de naturaleza electromagnética.

Thus, the audio signal is transported along a line that forms an electrical circuit, that is, a round trip, from a point of origin to a point of arrival and return. The cable is part of that line.

Existen dos presentaciones de cables analógicos:

1) Balanced Cables    
2) Unbalanced Cables  

What’s the difference? Balanced cables have three wires: one positive, one negative, and one ground; this prevents interference such as radio frequencies or noise from nearby electronic equipment from entering.

Los cables no balanceados solo tienen 2 alambres: uno positivo y uno negativo, lo que en muchos casos permite la entrada de varios tipos de interferencia.

Both types of cables are used to transmit audio signals from microphones, instruments, and the connection lines between them.

Don’t miss the next posts of SOLCOR , to stay informed from the most basic to the most specialized in the world of wiring for musical instruments .

Solcor´s family name is Quality

At SOLCOR, we work with standards ISO 9001, which establishes the comprehensive quality system for a company’s daily activities, to improve performance in production and administrative processes for the benefit of the consumer.

Our cables are semi-handcrafted, as our employees create each cable without using machines like other larger companies; but what does this really mean?

In companies with automated machinery, quality reviews aren’t as thorough, as it’s very difficult for a machine to report errors, unlike a committed human, as is the case with our technical team.

At SOLCOR, we put our audio cables through three rigorous tests, which we’ll cover in our next article… don’t miss it!

Take your music to the next level with Solcor!

At Solcor, we are passionate about music and committed to offering you the best selection of cables, connectors, and accessories for musical instruments and microphones.

We have a wide range of high-quality products to meet all your needs:

Continue visiting our website and discover the difference Solcor quality can make to your music.

Solcor Gears Up for NAMM Show 2025

Solcor, a leading name in the professional audio industry, is excited to confirm its participation in the NAMM Show 2025, taking place from January 23 to 25 in Anaheim, California.

At this prestigious international event, Solcor will showcase its latest innovations in audio products, designed to meet the needs of musicians, sound engineers, and recording studios worldwide.

The New Pro Performance Line

A highlight of the show will be the launch of the Pro Performance Line, the pinnacle of quality and performance. Crafted with first-class components, this line of cables and connectors ensures an unparalleled audio experience. Each product has been carefully assembled with superior materials, offering exceptional durability, clarity, and reliability.

Visitors to the NAMM Show can explore Solcor’s full range of products and experience their outstanding quality and performance at Booth 10391 in Hall A.

See you at our booth! 🎶

6 steps for coiling your snake device properly.

For a musician and/or musical technician it’s very important to take care of its snake devices, so just follow these easy 6 steps to coil your snake device properly, like a pro!

6 steps to coil snake device

1. Extend the cable:

Start by fully extending the snake cable on a flat surface. Make sure there are no twists or bends.

2. Create an initial “loop”:

Take the end of the cable and form a “loop” about 1 meter in diameter.

Keep the snake box stationary while performing this step.

3. Continue forming “loops”:

Without moving the snake box, start coiling the cable around the initial “loop,” forming new “loops” one on top of the other. Keep the cable tension consistent to avoid tangling.

4. Coil by holding the outer jacket:

When coiling, make sure to hold the outer jacket of the cable, not the internal wires. This will prevent damage to the wires and ensure a neater coil.

5. Protect the tip:

Avoid coiling the tip of the cable over itself or over the other cables or connectors. You can coil it into a small circle at the end to protect it.

6. Done! Tie and store:

Once the cable is coiled, tie it with an elastic band or string to secure it. Store the snake in its case or bag for transport and protection.

Additional tips:

  • Practice the technique:

Practice will help you master the snake coiling quickly and efficiently.

  • Avoid abrupt movements:

Use smooth and controlled movements when coiling the cable to avoid tangles or damage.

  • Use the right surface:

Coil the cable on a flat, obstacle-free surface for better results.

  • Store in optimal conditions:

Store the snake in its case or bag to protect it from dust, moisture, and other damage.

Remember:

Properly coiling the snake will not only save you time and effort but also help prolong the cable’s lifespan and keep it in good condition.

Discover more advantages of SOLCOR’s high-density braided copper mesh shielding!

As they say colloquially, the hits just keep on coming!

When it comes to the high-density braided copper mesh shielding we use in our cables, the benefits for musicians are so numerous that after learning about them all, you’ll surely wonder why you haven’t used a SOLCOR Cable before.

Reduction of magnetic crosstalk. In addition to reducing electrical crosstalk as mentioned earlier, the high-density braided copper also helps decrease magnetic crosstalk.

The braided structure acts as a physical barrier that helps block and minimize magnetic interference between individual conductor wires.

This is particularly important in environments where nearby we find electronic equipment or components that can generate magnetic fields which interfere with the audio signal.

Versatility in audio applications. High-density braided copper is used in a wide variety of audio applications, including musical instrument cables, microphone cables, headphone cables, interconnection cables, and more. This versatility is due to its benefits in terms of sound quality, interference protection, and durability. By choosing cables with high-density braided copper, it is possible to enhance the audio experience in various setups and devices.

Reduction of distortion. The braided configuration of the copper helps to minimize signal distortion. By reducing electrical resistance as well as improving signal integrity, it achieves that precise and faithful reproduction of the original sound that every professional musician always seeks.

Do you know the additional benefits of our high-density braided copper mesh shielding?

The benefits are so many that we had to divide them into several articles to keep them clear and give each one its proper place.

Here we delve deeper: Applications in speaker cables. While we have already mentioned that high-density braided copper is commonly used in audio cables, it is important to highlight that it is also applied in speaker cables. Just like in audio cables, the braided configuration in speaker cables helps to reduce resistance and crosstalk, improving sound quality and minimizing interference.

Better mechanical noise handling. Returning to audio cables, the braided configuration of copper provides greater resistance to mechanical noise. This is achieved because the intertwined copper wires act as a sort of cushion, reducing vibration and noise that can be transmitted through the cable. This is especially useful in environments with constant movement, such as recording studios or live performance stages. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it?

Increased wear resistance. High-density braided copper shielding offers greater durability and wear resistance compared to cables that use a single conductor. The copper wire braid protects the internal conductors from potential damage caused by bending, pulling, or twisting. This helps extend the cable’s lifespan and reduce the possibility of signal failures or interruptions.

Do you know what the “Skin Effect” is?

Our high-density braided copper mesh shielding allows us to offer you a top-level audio cable, just like the ones used by the most renowned artists in any musical genre.

And among other benefits, let us tell you about how we reduce the “Skin Effect” in signal transmission: The “Skin Effect” is a phenomenon that occurs in audio cables when high-frequency currents tend to flow near the surface of the conductor instead of being evenly distributed throughout the conductor.

By using a braid of copper wires instead of a single conductor, SOLCOR Cables increase the total surface area available for current, which significantly helps mitigate this annoying effect and maintain better signal transmission quality.

Other benefits offered by our high-density braided copper mesh shielding include:

Lower capacitance. Capacitance is an electrical property that affects signal transmission in cables. High-density braided copper tends to have lower capacitance compared to single-conductor cables. This can be particularly beneficial in high-frequency audio applications, as a lower capacitance helps to preserve the original signal characteristics and reduces high-frequency attenuation.

Improved frequency response. Due to the reduction in electrical resistance and capacitance in cables with high-density braided copper mesh shielding, there is an improvement in frequency response. This means that the cable is capable of transmitting a more accurately and wide range of frequencies, contributing to a more precise and detailed audio reproduction.

How do we minimize interference in our instrument and microphone cables to the maximum?

The high-density braided copper mesh shielding we use in our instrument and microphone cables is a component that drastically reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI).

By having multiple copper wires, SOLCOR Cables create a more robust and effective structure to protect the audio signal from all types of external interference.

Other benefits offered by our cables are:

Reduction of electrical crosstalk. Crosstalk is the unwanted interference between nearby cables.

By using a high-density braided copper configuration, the cable’s ability to reduce crosstalk is improved because the braid of copper wires acts as a physical barrier between the individual conductors, minimizing interference between them and avoiding audio quality degradation.

Protection against external noise. The braided copper configuration provides greater protection against electromagnetic and radio frequency noise from external sources, such as electrical equipment or wireless signals. By wrapping the copper wires around a central core, a more robust structure is created that helps block and dissipate unwanted interference, preventing its impact on the audio signal, especially when bending the cable.

Increased durability. The copper braid in SOLCOR Audio Cables contributes to their durability and tensile strength. The braided configuration provides greater mechanical protection to the copper wires, helping to prevent breaks or damage to the cable due to tension or abrupt movements. This is especially beneficial in professional environments where cables are subject to frequent and demanding use.

What is the purpose of SOLCOR’s high-density braided copper mesh shielding?

The high-density braided copper in your SOLCOR Audio Cables is a configuration of components that, instead of using a spiral or mylar shield (with aluminum foil), utilizes a braid of multiple copper wires. This particularity increases the conductor density in the cable, which immediately reflects in a substantial improvement in the quality of audio signal transmission. 

Continue reading