Can you use instrument cable for speaker

Remember — instrument cables are designed for the relatively weak signals produced by guitar pickups. If you use an instrument cable to power a speaker, it will not only limit the performance of your system, but it might even damage your equipment. If you got value out of this post, please share it with someone who would also find it valuable! For more content like this, subscribe to Audio University on YouTube! Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links, which means that if you click them, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In the world of audio, if you learn why and how systems work, you can apply that knowledge to solve virtually any problem. But make sure you read A Cloudlifter is a device that helps boost the signal from your microphone by adding 25 dB of gain before the signal even reaches your microphone preamp. This can be especially helpful if you are using a microphone Written by Kyle Mathias. October 19, Subscribe to Audio University!

Last week I walked into a friends jam session to hang out and listen. He was showing me his boutique amplifier and some of his guitars. We quickly swapped out the cable with a proper instrument cable, and walla, beautiful tone with no noise! Instrument Cable are made of a single small gauge center conductor usually copper then surrounded by an insulator. The insulator is covered by a braided or foil shield used as a second conductor which is then encased in a rubber or plastic outer jacket.

The picture below gives you a visual representation of this:. Speaker Cables are made of two conductors usually twisted together of a higher gauge conductor 10awg to 18awg than instrument cable. Each of these conductors has its own thin insulating jacket. This twisted pair of conductors is then encased in a rubber or plastic outer jacket. See example below:. The shield around an instrument cable keeps most of these interferences from getting into your guitar signal.

Essentially the amp would be trying to send all of its power down a small center conductor and a thin braided or foil shield! Split the difference between analogue and digital effects in our Sound Advice column here.

Features Columns. Words by Chris Scott. Pro Co Excellines instrument cable. Shielding on an instrument cable. Speaker cable.