The Best Mic Cables
Whether you're setting up a home studio or getting ready to host a live event, mic cables are an essential purchase. Mic cables connect microphones to mixing boards, allowing your voice to travel from mouth to speaker. Even if you're not a musician, mic cables can come in handy for things like large presentations and lectures. Unfortunately, there are more than a few kinds of crummy mic cables floating around the market. That's why we've taken the time to bring you this list of the best of the best so you can get rocking ASAP.
Cable Matters Mic Cable Two-Pack
Rock the house
Keeping your home studio stocked with high-quality mic cables is a must for anyone looking to record some great tunes. Cable Matters’ mic cable two-pack provides you with ultra-durable cables and reliable connections, all for a reasonable price. These mic cables are constructed with OFC (oxygen-free copper) conductors that will deliver you the cleanest sound no matter where you are. What’s more, the tough PVC outer layer can take a beating, making these an excellent choice for rehearsal spaces and live venues. The meticulously crafted grip treads on the connectors make plugging and unplugging into any mixer or amplifier a cinch.
Pros:
- OFC connectors deliver a clean sound
- Polyethylene insulation brings an optimized high-frequency response
- Great hum cancellation
Cons:
- Not the most pristine sound for recording, these are better for live play
Gearlux Mic Cables
Loud and proud
Gearlux is a brand that always gets tossed into the conversation when audiophiles get to talking about the most affordable and reliable mic cable companies around. These heavy-duty PVC-coated mic cables from Gearlux provide the hi-fi sound quality that pricier cables offer at a fraction of the price. The OFC conductors keep your sound hum-free and noiseless, making Gearlux’s mic cables a perfect choice for recording studios, presentations, rehearsal spaces, and live venues. The 6mm-thick PVC outer layer can withstand wear and tear, keeping your connections reliable and sturdy no matter what. We highly recommend these ultra-durable cables to any music lovers looking for a great deal on some great mic cables.
Pros:
- Connects to any mixer or vocal amplifier
- Thick PVC outer layer
- Different length options available
Cons:
- The connectors may become loose with long-term use
Monoprice Premier Series Mic Cables
Sing for the year
If you’re looking for luxury in sound and style, you can’t go wrong with Monoprice’s Premier Series mic cables. These gold-plated mic cables offer optimal protection against hum and noise through the braided shield around the copper connectors. The reliably constructed connector housings will be easy to plug in and out of any XLR input on your mixer or amplifier. What’s more, Monoprice utilizes impedance balanced lines that cut down on frequency interference and hissing. Not to mention, Monoprice offers length options from 1-foot to 100-feet, making these a viable purchase for audiophiles of all experience levels.
Pros:
- Gold-plated connectors offer premium protection against noise and hum
- Many different length options
- Easy to plug in and out
Cons:
- The longer cables may be short by a few inches
GLS Audio Mic Cable Six-Pack
Colorful cables
Studios and rehearsal spaces are places that should feel fun and conducive to creativity. With GLS Audio’s vibrantly colored microphone cables, you can brighten up your space while improving the sound quality. GLS Audio offers six 25-feet cables in fun colors like red, indigo, and orange. Not to mention, color coding your mic cables can save you a lot of time while organizing. Instead of shuffling through an endless pile of black cables, you can know exactly which color is for which microphone. What’s more, the balanced shielding on the 21-gauge dual copper connectors keeps your sound feeling clean and pristine. If you’re someone who loves a little color in their life, you can’t go wrong with GLS Audio’s mic cables.
Pros:
- Fun and vibrant color choices
- Easy to color-code for organization
- Great length for rehearsal spaces
Cons:
- The bright colors might be off-putting to those who are used to traditional black mic cables
Bifale Heavy-Duty Braided Mic Cables
Beautiful in braids
PVC-coating is still the most popular material used for the protective outer layer on mic cables, but braided alternatives like these from Bifale give the old school a run for their money. Bifale’s braided mic cables utilize a hyper-strong polyester blend to create an outer layer that’s protective and tangle-resistant. Not to mention, these heavy-duty cables look sharp and distinct, making your rehearsal space or studio stand out from the pack. What’s more, Bifale’s high-quality OFC connectors offer a hi-fi sound with premium protection against interference, hum, and noise.
Pros:
- Durable braided outer layer
- Aesthetically unique
- Resistant to tangling
Cons:
- They’re stiffer than traditional PVC mic cables, making them harder to wrap up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many mic cables do I need for my rehearsal space?
You’ll want to have at least as many mic cables as there are singers in your band or group. Ideally, you’d buy three or four extra just to have as backups in case the others break.
What kind of hardware do mic cables plug into?
Mic cables connect microphones to anything with a three-pin XLR input. Usually, three-pin XLR inputs are found on mixing boards and vocal amplifiers. However, you can also plug your mic cables into a preamp for recording, a vocal harmonizer, or a patch bay for various sound effects.
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