Patch Cables - Planet Waves? Also Cheap Power Supply?

[.50 Caliber Bob]

Hi folks,

I'm after some advice about patch cables. I currently have a random assortment of cr@p, but I have just bought two new pedals so want to kit out my pedal board with something that is reasonable. Anyone use planetwave cables, or venom cables? Can get what I need for either of these without dropping a bomb on them. £10 for 3 for the planet waves, or £10 for 5 of the venom ones.

I know that you are only as good as your weakest link, so I didnt want to get all the pedals I want and let myself down with cr@ppy cables.

Also any advice for cheap but half-decent power supplies? I am using a daisy chained boss tu2 to power the pedals, but I think I am almost at the limit for it and the 2 new pedals would put me over. I was looking at the one spot, anyone used it? Didn't really want to drop £100 quid on a dc brick or anything. Or am I better off with an ordinary multiplug strip and plugging in multiple single adapters for the extra pedals?

Thanks in advance for any and all opinions,

Mark

[Twinfan]

These patch cables are pretty good, I use them on one of my boards:

http://www.johnnyshredfreak.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=11

The place used to go a great power supply for £15, but they no longer seem to have it.  YOu could try this one:

http://www.johnnyshredfreak.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=384

Or another cheap option is to buy one of these and fit a UK plug to it yourself:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_powerplant_junior.htm

[Elliot]

I've used the Venom ones and the Johnny Shredfreak ones and I have no complaints about either.  However, I have had 2 Planet Wave cables go dead in a year, so I avoid them.

[Mr. Air]

You could also look at Cordial cables http://www.thomann.de/dk/cordial_patch_kabler.html

I haven't used them, but read good things about Cordial on the net and they seem quite cheap.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I know that you are only as good as your weakest link, so I didnt want to get all the pedals I want and let myself down with cr@ppy cables.

Exactly this. For the cables and the power supply. Yes they won't make your tone extra awesome, but good cables and power will help from making your awesome tone into cr@p. I recently bought a Pedal Power, though I tried every other way I could to save money, but the PP made the least noise with solid power. Well worth the extra money IMO, just like cables, because I'm sure everyone knows that one bad cable can ruin a whole show. Quality cables are a must. I don't think this is where you pinch pennies with your gear.

[dave_mc]

i'd avoid the dc brick, it's just basically a glorified daisy chain type of thing. if i were spending that much, i'd want it to be isolated.

i have some of those thomann ones dave linked to- they seem alright (though i should add that the first one i got was faulty- they sent me another without having to send the first back, but it's still worth pointing out). I'm also not sure just how quiet they are (it's hard to diagnose where noise is coming from sometimes). I'm not sure how much I'd trust them if i really needed professional operation (I only play at home).

award session and kabl are pretty good for reasonably cheap, good quality cables, but even they might get expensive if you need a lot of patch cables.

[DavidRees]

Rob' stuff is great and very reasonable for what it is

http://www.kablonline.com/instrument.html

[Elliot]

 :x £11 per patch cable is just ridiculous - there is no way that most people will tell the difference between them and a pack of Venoms or Johnny Shredfreaks.

[.50 Caliber Bob]

Any idea what headroom I need on power supply?

I am looking at the harley benton one, but each output is only rated for 120mA and I have a Verbzilla which draws 100mA. Is that too close to the maximum, or will it be fine?

Also, what are peoples opinions on these type of connectors...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rotosound-Straight-4-inch-Jack-Connector/dp/B004CRHBNQ/ref=pd_cp_ce_0

[Alex]

I have both the Harley Benton Powerplant Junior and the original Harley Benton.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_powerplant.htm
&
http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_powerplant_junior.htm

The Junior has isolated outputs and that alone is worth way more than the price. The bigger one is good too, but since they aren't isolated, you can get noise from certain pedals.
Unfortunately, the Junior doesn't come with a detachable kettle lead (so you need to use a UK adapter) and has no on/off switch like the big one.
That said, I'm very happy with the Junior. I use a Daisy chain (I think it even came with it) and power eight pedals with it - no problems. It also has a doubler lead I think which you can use to double the output (it's a Y shaped one). You can, with the proper lead that def. did NOT come with (but which I have) double to 9V outputs to 18V, because the outputs are isolated. I'm only aware of the T-Rex Chameleon which also has isolated outputs.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/trex_fuel_tank_chameleon.htm
I would assume this one has isolated outputs too:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/trex_fuel_tank_junior.htm
The T-Rex ones cost quite a bit more.

About the cables: I use these ones and these ones:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/planet_waves_pwpra205_patchklinkenkabel.htm
http://www.thomann.de/gb/planet_waves_pwgpkit10.htm
I also have the cordial ones, but the PW sound better. I'm very happy with the patch cables and use the thick ones with jacks that easily come out and the "self-made" ones for everything else.
I use Sommer cables mostly for the longer cables (Thomann also uses them). Great cables.

[dave_mc]

Any idea what headroom I need on power supply?

I am looking at the harley benton one, but each output is only rated for 120mA and I have a Verbzilla which draws 100mA. Is that too close to the maximum, or will it be fine?

not sure, actually. i'm only using pedals with pretty low current draws (dirt pedals and the like).