Many DJs always use the “hand- elbow” cable wrap method to keep their cables together.
Wrapping in this manner (this goes for AC extension cords, too) forces the entire length of the cable to twist in one direction perpendicular to its length, putting undo stress on the conductors and shield. It also imprints a “memory” that returns when the cable is laid out again – it will maintain the pigtail, corkscrew twist that’s been forced upon it.
Cable dressing and neatness are extremely important at all professional audio gigs, and especially so in corporate/ industrials.
The right way to coil a cable: The over/under wrap, or BBC coil. It’s actually pretty simple, especially with just a bit of practice. Essentially, as the cable is being picked up with one hand, it should be gently coiled into like-size loops that are collected in the other hand, which is positioned up/out.
This motion is gentle, and intuitively will follow the way that the cable “wants” to be wrapped. It becomes a natural feel, the hands work to guide the cable where it wants to go, but in an organized fashion. What’s actually happening is that picking up the cable always introduces a certain amount of twist, and this is countered by ( again, gently) a twist in the opposite direction.
Now, let’s be more specific.
If right- handed, start with one end of the cable in the left hand, then grab the cable about 18 inches down and pull it straight, holding this section horizontal to the floor. Make a clockwise loop with the right hand, gently twisting the cable between your thumb and fingers also in a clockwise direction. Right and left hands should meet at the top of the loop facing each other in a mirror image.
Most microphone and smaller loudspeaker cables should be looped roughly 12 inches in diameter, depending on the length, material and thickness of the cable. If it feels like the loop should be bigger, then it probably should.
The next step is to create a loop that twists in the opposite direction to counter the twist of the first loop. Again, use the right hand to grab about 18 inches of length, away from the loop, and twist this length counter- clockwise, bringing the right hand in to meet the left. This causes the cable to create a loop that falls on the back of the hand – the “under” portion of the wrap.
The first and second loops cancel each other’s twist.
Continue wrapping the rest of the cable this way, but keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be exact.
Sometimes the cable will want to go in one direction a couple of loops before taking an opposite twist. If a cable has been abused in the past, it may take a while for it to develop a new “memory” It also helps to run the entire cable out straight and then remove any twists.
Once the wrap is complete, the loop can be secured with a Velcro fastener. It’s important to always unwrap the cable end from the side of the loop that it ended on. Pulling the end through the loop to the other side can create a series of half- hitch “pretzels” down the entire run.
If this starts happening, stop immediately and get the loop back together, then try again. Hey, it beats dumping the whole thing on the floor, thinking a snake- pit mess will be easy to untangle, because this is even more time consuming. Not to mention the damage the cable could incur from undue strain. The cable usually tends to coil in the right direction anyhow, but if it has an unseen twist and wants to cross itself as you coil it up, just a gentle twist and re-loop, or better, a rotation of the coil you are holding to enable the rogue loop to be coiled on the back. This latter way stops further twists being added to the wire on the floor.
The cable wire really feels like it wants to be wound this way, unless, as already mentioned, it has suffered abuse in the past, in which case it will be difficult to create a neat coil.
Another important point is to not coil the cable to too tight a radius - be sensible, and coil stouter cable to a larger size than smaller, more flexible cables. Mains cables make a coil of about 12 - 15 inches in diameter
You should never wrap cables around your arm, nor should you put a knot in them, this will damage your cables.
The best way is to loop the cable and then tie with velcro ties. They should then last you for years.
Here’s a video demonstration of a technique to fold your cables.
http://stagecraft.theprices.net/gallery/ca...blewrap-rm.html
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