• Registered: 2019-04-12
  • Posts: 35

Topic: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

What do people use? I've used/seen the ALVA drums (https://www.synthax.co.uk/alva/madi/alv … able-drum/) but they're daft money really.

I've been using standard "patch-style" optical cables for small orchestral recordings during the lockdown, but as the bigger orchestral recordings have started returning I'm very aware how vulnerable these are (to feet, doors, someone dropping something on them etc..)

I've been checking out FS who seem to do decent looking cables (https://www.fs.com/uk/products/33501.html (armoured) https://www.fs.com/uk/products/70402.html (military?!)), but I was keen to see what folks are using!

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,786

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

Long before Alva started offering these drums, I got myself a small Schill drum and 50m of military grade cable from a czech supplier (disk.cz), not sure they still sell them. I think the whole thing was not much more than €300...

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2009-06-30
  • Posts: 217

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

I use Huber and Suhner cable supplied by tactron.

  • From: Aotearoa
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 255

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

I just ordered a 4 fiber "OM1/OM2 Multimode Harsh Environment Military-Grade Tactical Fiber Optic Patch Cable", 60m with SC connectors from fs.com.  Great prices, service and reviews, I'll report back when I receive it in a few days if you like.

Madiface XT, Madiface, 3x Micstasy, ADI8QS
Sequoia 17, W10 x64
https://bsound.co.nz/tools-nix
  • Registered: 2019-04-12
  • Posts: 35

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

What's the thinking with "fibre count"? I've seen 2 and 4 fibre being offered on a few now - is it just a durability/redundancy thing?

  • From: Aotearoa
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 255

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

Could be redundancy. Could be the client wants you to record 32 ch at 192khz.

Madiface XT, Madiface, 3x Micstasy, ADI8QS
Sequoia 17, W10 x64
https://bsound.co.nz/tools-nix
  • Registered: 2019-04-12
  • Posts: 35

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

Potscrubber wrote:

Could be redundancy. Could be the client wants you to record 32 ch at 192khz.

So is it literally another fibre? ie, another potential connection to terminate to a second (or third, or forth) madi connector?!

  • From: Aotearoa
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 255

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

Yes, or in this case another 2: so 4 SC connectors at each end, for 4 discrete madi links or 2 loops.

Madiface XT, Madiface, 3x Micstasy, ADI8QS
Sequoia 17, W10 x64
https://bsound.co.nz/tools-nix
  • Registered: 2019-04-12
  • Posts: 35

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

Potscrubber wrote:

Yes, or in this case another 2: so 4 SC connectors at each end, for 4 discrete madi links or 2 loops.

Excellent, thanks. Be good to know if you'd recommend this cable once you've tried it out! I'd seen that cable, but was under them impression MADI cables had to be OM3/4 for some reason... I assume that's nonsense?

10 Reply by hardyroede (edited by hardyroede 2021-07-13 22:20:35)

  • Registered: 2020-08-21
  • Posts: 46

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

Camilo1 wrote:

I'd seen that cable, but was under them impression MADI cables had to be OM3/4 for some reason... I assume that's nonsense?

MADI according to spec runs with OM1 and OM2, confirming RME compatibility see e.g. this vintage post here: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=7187
RME ships some devices with OM2 cables (50/125).

ramses has an extensive post on MADI optical cabling here: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=29988. He mentions mainly OM3/OM4 there, but OM1/OM2 will work too. Just don‘t mix fiber diameters within one cable run, to my knowledge only OM2/OM3/OM4 will work together.

MADIface(s) Pro, UFX+, MADI Router
Mac mini Intel, iPad Air 2020
ProTools, Hindenburg
  • From: Aotearoa
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 255

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

Camilo1 wrote:

Excellent, thanks. Be good to know if you'd recommend this cable once you've tried it out! I'd seen that cable, but was under them impression MADI cables had to be OM3/4 for some reason... I assume that's nonsense?

Thumbs-up for FS.com if you are after an inexpensive solution.  Was very well packaged.  Nice flexible cable, good terminations, robust breakouts.  I used it last weekend on a recording, it had to follow quite a tortured route, which it did with ease.  Had to lay it under a fire door and due to the small cable diameter the door was able to close without pinching the cable.

No MADI sync problems at all.  I might get a cheap reel to put it on as the diameter is quite thin and it's very flexible, it gets in a tangle easily.

I wouldn't give it an extra hard time of course, and the SC connectors are always a worry due to their fragility.  But if you are not in the budget range for a system with OpticalCON connectors and panels, I think this is a good budget solution.

Madiface XT, Madiface, 3x Micstasy, ADI8QS
Sequoia 17, W10 x64
https://bsound.co.nz/tools-nix
  • Registered: 2019-04-12
  • Posts: 35

Re: MADI cables for remote recording / live sound

Seeing as I started this thread!

I ended up buying a 75m 4 core armoured reel through paragon networks here in the UK (https://www.paragonnetworks.co.uk/), with patch-panels at each end. Lovely cable - roles out good and flat, and the connectors seem bomb proof.

Nice people, knowledgeable, highly recommended if anyone's looking.