32x8-100' Snake - Need Opinions and Options

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IndyWS6

IndyWS6

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Greetings :)
I need to pick up a snake and I'm looking for a 100', 32-channel, 8 return model - ideally, one with paralleled XLR and TRS on the returns. A snake like that is going to be a little pricey; I'd like to keep the cost down as much as possible but not at the expense of quality or longevity. A web search turned up the Seismic Audio products at about half the cost of more recognizable brands. There isn't a lot of detail about the cable or connectors used. I'm guessing that it would work but may not have the durability one would like. The snake will be used to gig 2-3 times a month in shitty bars, with drunk people walking around and over it and bandmates who aren't as careful during load-in/load-out as you would like.

Anyone have any experience with the Seismic Audio products? Suggestions for better alternatives?

Thanks in advance :rock:
 
Don't know about the Seismic, but what I do know is that you should split the cost of the snake evenly with your bandmates so they have equal ownership in it and, therefore, equal motivation to keep it in good shape.....Or, you should charge them a rental fee to use it. You shouldn't have to bear the cost and depreciation in value of it alone.
 
while i don't have any experience with seismic products.. i will say generally speaking you get what you pay for. also.. don't forget to bag the xlr end.
 
rlord1974":2ym8o2ce said:
Don't know about the Seismic, but what I do know is that you should split the cost of the snake evenly with your bandmates so they have equal ownership in it and, therefore, equal motivation to keep it in good shape.....Or, you should charge them a rental fee to use it. You shouldn't have to bear the cost and depreciation in value of it alone.
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I agree to this ^ but it'll never fly.
 
I appreciate the comments on who should own / how to split the costs. We have that situation under control :yes:

Having just shelled out a TON of cash for the PA, and still needing a snake, I'm looking for some cost-effective (but not cheap) recommendations. The Seismic gear popped-up on a web search, but looks a little "generic" to me. If you have some direct knowledge of those products, or suggestions for other brands, that would be great.

MBOOGMAN - thanks for the tip - I'll take a look at Whirlwind...

Thanks in advance to everyone :thumbsup:
 
DAMN! A Whirlwind Medusa 32x8x100 XLR is just shy of $1,000 plus shipping - need to look for something a little more economical (if at all possible)...
 
carvin has a 24x8 on sale for 419.00 plus shipping. their snakes are on sale right now. if you really need 32 channels you could always grab an 8x4 and double them up. that would give you 32x12.
 
1big1":2e4yujua said:
carvin has a 24x8 on sale for 419.00 plus shipping. their snakes are on sale right now. if you really need 32 channels you could always grab an 8x4 and double them up. that would give you 32x12.
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Thanks, I'll take a look.

We could get by for most gigs with a 24-channel snake if we had to, but if I'm going to invest, I'd prefer to get a 32-channel unit. Our drummer will sometimes use 10 mics on his kit. We have five vocal mics along with the lead & rhythm guitar rigs, plus three to four channels for acoustic guitars and some DI channels. That pushes us past the 24-channel limit at times.
 
Anyone else have suggestions? I've looked at several, including:
Seismic Audio
Whirlwind Medusa
ProCo
Rapco
EWI/Audiopile

Right now, the EWI looks like the best balance between cost and quality. A 100' 32x8 XLR (paralleled TRS on the returns) with strain relief's on both ends, a hanger for the fanout and a bag for the fanout connectors is $578 plus shipping. The upgraded version with Neutrik connectors is $798. Not sure that the upgrade is worth the cost...

http://www.audiopile.net/products/Stage ... heet.shtml
 
IndyWS6":1rvgwsnk said:
Anyone else have suggestions? I've looked at several, including:
Seismic Audio
Whirlwind Medusa
ProCo
Rapco
EWI/Audiopile

Right now, the EWI looks like the best balance between cost and quality. A 100' 32x8 XLR (paralleled TRS on the returns) with strain relief's on both ends, a hanger for the fanout and a bag for the fanout connectors is $578 plus shipping. The upgraded version with Neutrik connectors is $798. Not sure that the upgrade is worth the cost...

http://www.audiopile.net/products/Stage ... heet.shtml
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If you can solder, you can always replace ends as they die.
 
mboogman":14hcldy0 said:
IndyWS6":14hcldy0 said:
Anyone else have suggestions? I've looked at several, including:
Seismic Audio
Whirlwind Medusa
ProCo
Rapco
EWI/Audiopile

Right now, the EWI looks like the best balance between cost and quality. A 100' 32x8 XLR (paralleled TRS on the returns) with strain relief's on both ends, a hanger for the fanout and a bag for the fanout connectors is $578 plus shipping. The upgraded version with Neutrik connectors is $798. Not sure that the upgrade is worth the cost...

http://www.audiopile.net/products/Stage ... heet.shtml
Click to expand...

If you can solder, you can always replace ends as they die.
Click to expand...
That's what I was thinking - I can replace a lot of connectors for $220. Did you take a look at the link? Any thoughts?

By the way, thanks for the comments - much appreciated :thumbsup:
 
I bought several snakes for my studio and for remote recording and I would recommend audiopile. Very good quality and good prices. :thumbsup: I haven't had any trouble with anything i've bought from them. Nice rack cases too!
 
daveg62":19s1strq said:
I bought several snakes for my studio and for remote recording and I would recommend audiopile. Very good quality and good prices. :thumbsup: I haven't had any trouble with anything i've bought from them. Nice rack cases too!
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Cool - thanks. From a features and cost perspective, Audiopile looks like a solid choice... Still looking for options, though...
 
Rapco, CBI and Whirlwind all make good stuff and have different grades available. For a 32x8 $1000.00 range should be pretty normal. Cheap snakes suck in my opinion, save your $$ and buy a good one. Getting one on a reel makes life much simpler at the end of the nite too....
 
Greazygeo":pdv617wn said:
Rapco, CBI and Whirlwind all make good stuff and have different grades available. For a 32x8 $1000.00 range should be pretty normal. Cheap snakes suck in my opinion, save your $$ and buy a good one. Getting one on a reel makes life much simpler at the end of the nite too....
Click to expand...
I'm just trying to find a reliable, well-built snake that won't break the bank. Whirlwind makes great products, but I question whether or not the Medusa snake is worth nearly twice as much as the EWI snake (which can alos be purchased on a reel...). The quality of the box, connectors, strain-reliefs, construction, etc. appear to be similar, although it is hard to tell from pictures on the web. That's why I'm looking for advice from people that have first-hand knowledge :thumbsup:
 
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