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Image #1: The right way to wind cables can be mastered with sufficient practice, but frankly my volunteers largely haven’t bothered.
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Image #3: This compromise solution is easy for volunteers to learn, and it works well for short and medium length cables
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Image #2: Even if you use the no-twist coiling method, storing cables this way without using ties will likely result in serious tangles.
Mic Cable Storage: Fast and Frustration-free
It's five minutes to worship when your worship leader casually informs you that there will be another guest musician on stage. “Sorry, I forgot to tell you,” he apologizes. “We need two more mics.”
No problem. You pop a couple mics on the stands, pull the cables out of the storage box, and start to connect when you realize…one cable has become a hopeless tangle of loops, twists and knots. It won't make it to the stage box connector without intricate unraveling.
Sound familiar? “Who put that cable away last time? It surely wasn't me!”
When it comes to storing microphone cables, there are basically three ways to go about it: the right way, the wrong way, and my way – which lies somewhere between. But frankly, for most churches, I think my way strikes a good balance between volunteer-friendly simplicity and uncompromising professionalism.
The Right Way
(see image #1)
If you're a finicky perfectionist, or if you're on tour and mic cables will be tossed hither and yon with abandon, you'll need to go this route.
First, coil your cables neatly without twisting them. To do this, you will need to use either the alternate twist method or the over-under wrap method. (Check for videos on YouTube.) Both can be mastered with sufficient practice, but frankly my volunteers largely haven't bothered. The nit-picking pros say doing this is a must because twisting and untwisting will slowly degrade the cable. Maybe. But unless you're doing it every day with every cable in a touring scenario, I wouldn't worry about it.
Once coiled, you'll want to tightly secure the cable using one or two Velcro cable ties as shown here. This is the right way, but for many churches – mine included – it has two problems.
First, volunteers who haven't mastered the proper coiling technique tend to create loops and tangles in their attempts. Second, the cable ties get misplaced or are not immediately available.
The Wrong Way
(see image #2)
The wrong way to store a mic cable is shown here, with the two XLR connectors mated together. It doesn't matter if you used a no-twist coiling method. If you store cables this way without using ties, you likely will be dealing with serious tangles. The worst snarls I've ever had to unravel started with cables stored by “neat freak” volunteers averse to leaving any loose ends dangling. Don't do it!
My Way
(see image #3)
This is my compromise solution, and it works well for short and medium length cables – those less than about 30 feet. I've been using it for decades and I'm sure I've never had a cable problem because of it. (I've had connector problems, but this method does not stress connectors any more than doing it “the right way.”)
First, go ahead and elbow-wrap the cable. “Horrors!” cry the purists. “This will twist the cable!” True. But you can untwist a cable in a few seconds by pulling it through a loose fist with your other hand, and then giving it a quick shake. If done properly, the cable will not tangle – and untangling snarls can take a minute or more.
However, for longer cables – 50-footers for example – I do recommend using a no-twist coiling technique as the untwisting routine can take a longer and potentially lead to tangling.
When you are finished elbow-wrapping, leave a foot or so of slack on the end. Wrap the slack three or four times around the cable coil and tuck the end in neatly and snugly, but without pulling hard on the connector. Place it carefully in your cable storage box or hang it on a hook.
Granted, this is not a road-worthy solution. You can't sling it across the stage a couple times as it might come apart. However, as long as you are only stowing and carrying it, as in most church applications, the cable coil should stay firm and tangle free.
Then, when it comes time to use it, simply unwrap, pull through a loose fist and shake to untwist, and you are ready to connect. It's fast, 99% foolproof, and any volunteer can master the technique quickly.
