Firewire cables? any variation?

[Abyrne7]

Im really frustrated. I have an Echo Audiofire2 soundcard and I get really angry over the quality of connection of the cable. The cable that originally came with the soundcard eventually started dropping out after some usage right in the middle of sets. Now that I have another cable after about a little over a month this cable is starting to drop out as well. I can't afford for this to happen at gigs.

I know its a connection problem because I can wiggle the cable just a little and the soundcard will drop out. Basically I want to know if there are variations in these cables so that I can get the best quality one and experience no drop outs EVER.

(P.S drop outs is the one thing I hate about digital DJ'ing, very frustrating)

[charo]

sounds like it might be on the firewire connection on the laptop that is going defective....to have two cords go bad on you like that really doesn't happen too often in my experience.

the 4-pin firewire connection on laptops is a particular weakpoint, esp if the location causes the cable to have any kind of side to side tension on the connection.

good luck

[alien2k]

My experience with the firewire 4 pin cable from M audio has been flawless, but not sure if it is the quality of the cable or from the connector on my laptop. If the laptop is your issue you should look into buying a Pcmcia kind firewire card wth a 6 pin connector.

Where the cables you bought generic ones or the more expensive ones?

[charo]

i should also mention that my experience with firewire (the firebox) has been flawless, so it's not something you should feel like you have to put up with it.

[Abyrne7]

Yah the cables were pretty generic but I really didnt think that it was going to be an issue. Ill probally go to the store and buy a more high quality one if its possible. Like USB cables can a firewire cable have better specs than another one?

[Abyrne7]

From doing research I concluded that its more than likely my shitty firewire connector in my laptop. I will have to buy the best cable I can and hope for the best. If that does not work, the Texas Instruments PCMCIA cards could be an option.

The worst about this problem now is that I'm supposed to be an opener for DJ Dan this weekend and the club owner is kind of skeptical about digital gear. So if this mucks up, it's probally a make or break type situation for me!

Anyone else have good ideas, some type of secure cable would be the best idea but they all seem to be the same type of exterior construction???

[charo]

told ya j/k

props for opening for dj dan, break a leg....

if i were in your shoes I might recommend renting or borrowing a usb card for the show, like an audio4 or audio8 or even someones sl-1 box if you are on windows.

the 4-pin design is weak by its design, i haven't seen any more secured cable over another.

you could try to tape it, rig it so the cable/connector can't move.

what laptop is this? edit saw in sig....

[alien2k]

My suggstion, is that you get the best cable available and try to steady up us much as possible your setup. If you buy a new pcmcia card try it a couple of hours to check it is reliable. Based on personal experience is that you should be prepared for the worst. Make sure at the club that you setup correctly and that the cables, interface, laptop and electric connections are not going to be moving a lot during the set. Practice at home how would you react to a audio dropout or complete failure. For instance I sometimes I carry a couple of cds and have one loaded on and cued up on the club´s cdj (if there is one available and already connected to the mixer). That is better that just standing there rebooting your laptop with no music on...

When you play be relaxed and dont obsess your mind with the idea that something will fail.
Just plan a good backup plan (Ipod, vinyl, singing whatever but less time without music the best). Most probable thing is that nothing will go wrong .I have had only one complete dropout playing live and it was caused because somebody connected his notebook to the same extension I was using and it made my sound card fail. I had one vinyl already cued up, it gave me enough time to reboot, start Traktor again and beatmatch to the track. Lots of people didnt care much and just kept dancing...
Club owner was happy that I didnt stood up there with my head between my shoulders...

Hope this helps

[Abyrne7]

This is the cable I found at a local shop.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...f139e7d7eden02

I literally called all over the city and this place is the only one with gold plated connections. Is Dynex good quality? Also 6 feet may be a bit long. I hope this doesnt effect the transfer rate?

I'm hoping for the best because I don't have much time.