A custom cable is built to the length you order, so a few minutes with a tape measure saves you a cable that is too short or a pile of slack behind the rack.
What You Need
A tape measure, and a piece of string or old cable for runs that bend around corners.
Measure the Path, Not the Distance
Do not measure in a straight line between the two jacks. Lay the string along the route the cable will actually take: down behind the gear, through any cable management, along the floor or the desk, and back up to the other jack. Then measure the string.
Add Slack
- In a rack: Add enough to slide the gear out and reach the back panel.
- On a desk or in a room: Add a foot or two so nothing pulls tight on the plugs.
- For a microphone: Measure with the stand in its widest position and the boom fully out.
- On a pedalboard: Measure jack to jack along the route under or around the pedals. A little slack is fine, a loop is not.
Choose the Next Length Up
Round up to the next length in the list when you build the cable. Custom Ghost Analog and Ghost Analog/Digital run from 6 in to 200 ft, and Ghost Instrument from 6 in to 50 ft. Every length is shown in feet and meters.
Check the Connectors
Note the jack on each end: XLR female or male, 1/4 inch TRS or TS, and whether a right-angle plug would sit better. Remember that Side A goes to the source and Side B to the destination. Read XLR, TRS and TS connectors explained.
Ordering Several
Measuring a whole room? Add a printed label to each cable so you can tell them apart, and use braided sleeving colors to mark different runs. Sleeving is available on cables up to 20 ft. For a large list, email info@ghostcable.com and we will quote it.