Custom audio cable... what went wrong? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Redlemon · 04-30-2010, 05:12 AM

So, I got a new car, and the stereo has an aux-in jack. I have an iPod and a cigarette-lighter-based charger that also has a stereo jack (from my last car). So, all I need is a male-male cable to go between the two.

I have one, but it is 6 feet long, has straight connectors on the ends, and is made of a thick material that doesn't bend that easily. I'd much prefer to have a cable that is 1 foot long (not including the connectors), with the 90 degree bend connectors (so it doesn't stick out far from the stereo), and made of headphone-style cable (more flexible).

I've tried searching for something even close to this, but I can't find a male-male cord of any length with bent connectors.

I thought I had a brilliant idea - I took two sets of old headphones that I don't care about down to a computer repair shop. The guy said "No problem, it'll just be taping together two wires, I can do that." It didn't work; no signal went through the wires. He tried a few more times, and it just failed abjectly. So now the cables will be too short to take to someone else.

Why didn't it work?
More importantly, how can I get what I want?

healer · 04-30-2010, 05:41 AM

So, you're looking for something like this?

I have no idea why lashing two identical cables together didn't let any signal through. I'm sure one of the techies around here will be able to answer that question. Ironically, I am also looking for something similar...only I want the right-angle plug on only one side.

Hard to find to say the least. I may have it custom made, but it may cost more than the convenience is worth.

Redlemon · 04-30-2010, 05:53 AM

Err... yeah. I spent 15 minutes hard-searching the internet, but I failed. (I'd prefer thinner cable, and 3 feet is bigger than 1, but half of 6, so it might work.) I figured it should be pretty easy for a guy with a soldering iron to put the individual pieces together (like they were talking about in the thread http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/tilted-...ne-shorts.html), but perhaps I was wrong? Or, perhaps the computer guy overstated his abilities. If I gathered the parts, how could I find someone who could handle this?

Cynthetiq · 04-30-2010, 05:53 AM

here's one

tho it's only 90 degrees on one side.

Aux Input Cable 6 foot 3.5mm Ipod MP3 Mini Jack Adapter - eBay (item 120555810406 end time May-11-10 19:17:49 PDT)

Redlemon · 04-30-2010, 06:34 AM

Thanks Cyn, looks like just what Healer wanted.

DaveOrion · 04-30-2010, 06:50 AM

That should work, as far as the splice failure, it was wired incorrectly or the jacks themselves were just bad, it happens.

Hektore · 04-30-2010, 06:51 AM

I've been told over and over that Radioshack makes custom cables. You should be able to go in and tell them what wire, what length, what ends and have them make it for you for a couple bucks. Course, they almost always have what I'm looking for when I go in so I've never asked about it.

Redlemon · 04-30-2010, 01:03 PM

Hektore, I'll have to try that. Thanks muchly!

Redlemon · 05-03-2010, 10:32 AM

The lady at Radioshack looked at me like I had two heads. She'd never heard of such a service, nor did she have any idea where to point me for help.

I'm thinking Craigslist. Perhaps I can find someone with a soldering iron there.

telekinetic · 05-03-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

So, I got a new car, and the stereo has an aux-in jack. I have an iPod and a cigarette-lighter-based charger that also has a stereo jack (from my last car). So, all I need is a male-male cable to go between the two.

I have one, but it is 6 feet long, has straight connectors on the ends, and is made of a thick material that doesn't bend that easily. I'd much prefer to have a cable that is 1 foot long (not including the connectors), with the 90 degree bend connectors (so it doesn't stick out far from the stereo), and made of headphone-style cable (more flexible).

I've tried searching for something even close to this, but I can't find a male-male cord of any length with bent connectors.

I thought I had a brilliant idea - I took two sets of old headphones that I don't care about down to a computer repair shop. The guy said "No problem, it'll just be taping together two wires, I can do that." It didn't work; no signal went through the wires. He tried a few more times, and it just failed abjectly. So now the cables will be too short to take to someone else.

Why didn't it work?
More importantly, how can I get what I want?

Here ya go, after a few minutes of googling for "M/M right angle 3.5mm cable"

Amazon.com: 1' 3.5mm 1/8" Gold Right Angle Stereo Audio Cable: Electronics

Also, healer, is this what you're looking for? you didn't spec a length:

Amazon.com: 3.5mm Male to Male Stereo Cable, Straight & Right Angle Plugs, 1m: Electronics

Hektore · 05-03-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

The lady at Radioshack looked at me like I had two heads. She'd never heard of such a service, nor did she have any idea where to point me for help.

I'm thinking Craigslist. Perhaps I can find someone with a soldering iron there.

How unfortunate, I apologize for the apparent misinformation. This is a bit unusual as I have a cable that very much fits the description of the one you seek that I purchased there. I used it back in the day to run from the speaker jack to them microphone jack on my desktop.

Redlemon · 05-03-2010, 11:18 AM

Sweet, TK. I have placed that order.

Xerxys · 05-03-2010, 11:55 AM

10 second search .... $0.99 result.

3.5mm Male Stereo JACK TO JACK Audio Cable 1m Lead ^ - eBay (item 270570943725 end time May-28-10 06:07:31 PDT)

telekinetic · 05-03-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerxys

10 second search .... $0.99 result.

3.5mm Male Stereo JACK TO JACK Audio Cable 1m Lead ^ - eBay (item 270570943725 end time May-28-10 06:07:31 PDT)

Nice cable, but...he's looking for right angle

If he wanted inline, I'da just sent him to monoprice.com.

AquaFox · 05-03-2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telekinetic

Nice cable, but...he's looking for right angle

If he wanted inline, I'da just sent him to monoprice.com.

monoprice rocks. i checked it out earlier today in hopes of posting a link but they didn't... they have a cool retractable one which was cool. I think I've already ordered around 700 to 800 feet of different cables from that site over the last few years...

Redlemon · 05-04-2010, 05:34 AM

Everyone can stop searching. telekinetic found me the right cable. Everyone, I appreciate the help.

Xerxys · 05-04-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

Everyone can stop searching. telekinetic found me the right cable. Everyone, I appreciate the help.

You don't tell me what to do!! I am One! I am Legion!! I Control!! It ends when I say it ends dammit!!!

Man, why couldn't I have posted that anonymously!!

Redlemon · 05-04-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerxys

Man, why couldn't I have posted that anonymously!!

Would that really have made a difference?

MSD · 05-10-2010, 09:45 AM

Too bad I missed this thread a week ago, IIRC you live 15 minutes away from me and I could have soldered one up the same day.

Redlemon · 05-10-2010, 09:56 AM

That would've been cool. The cord I ordered is installed, and is just what I wanted. But, next time I come across something like this, I'll contact you directly.

04-30-2010, 05:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Custom audio cable... what went wrong? So, I got a new car, and the stereo has an aux-in jack. I have an iPod and a cigarette-lighter-based charger that also has a stereo jack (from my last car). So, all I need is a male-male cable to go between the two. I have one, but it is 6 feet long, has straight connectors on the ends, and is made of a thick material that doesn't bend that easily. I'd much prefer to have a cable that is 1 foot long (not including the connectors), with the 90 degree bend connectors (so it doesn't stick out far from the stereo), and made of headphone-style cable (more flexible). I've tried searching for something even close to this, but I can't find a male-male cord of any length with bent connectors. I thought I had a brilliant idea - I took two sets of old headphones that I don't care about down to a computer repair shop. The guy said "No problem, it'll just be taping together two wires, I can do that." It didn't work; no signal went through the wires. He tried a few more times, and it just failed abjectly. So now the cables will be too short to take to someone else. Why didn't it work? More importantly, how can I get what I want? __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

04-30-2010, 05:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Err... yeah. I spent 15 minutes hard-searching the internet, but I failed. (I'd prefer thinner cable, and 3 feet is bigger than 1, but half of 6, so it might work.) I figured it should be pretty easy for a guy with a soldering iron to put the individual pieces together (like they were talking about in the thread http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/tilted-...ne-shorts.html), but perhaps I was wrong? Or, perhaps the computer guy overstated his abilities. If I gathered the parts, how could I find someone who could handle this? __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

04-30-2010, 05:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	here's one tho it's only 90 degrees on one side. Aux Input Cable 6 foot 3.5mm Ipod MP3 Mini Jack Adapter - eBay (item 120555810406 end time May-11-10 19:17:49 PDT) __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

04-30-2010, 06:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Thanks Cyn, looks like just what Healer wanted. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

04-30-2010, 06:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
DaveOrion Playing With Fire Location: Disaster Area	That should work, as far as the splice failure, it was wired incorrectly or the jacks themselves were just bad, it happens. __________________ *Syriana*...have you ever tried liquid MDMA?....Liquid MDMA? No....Arash, when you wanna do this?.....After prayer...

04-30-2010, 06:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Hektore Junkie Location: Greater Harrisburg Area	I've been told over and over that Radioshack makes custom cables. You should be able to go in and tell them what wire, what length, what ends and have them make it for you for a couple bucks. Course, they almost always have what I'm looking for when I go in so I've never asked about it. __________________ The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game.

04-30-2010, 01:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Hektore, I'll have to try that. Thanks muchly! __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

05-03-2010, 10:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	The lady at Radioshack looked at me like I had two heads. She'd never heard of such a service, nor did she have any idea where to point me for help. I'm thinking Craigslist. Perhaps I can find someone with a soldering iron there. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

05-03-2010, 11:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Sweet, TK. I have placed that order. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

05-03-2010, 11:55 AM	#13 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	10 second search .... $0.99 result. 3.5mm Male Stereo JACK TO JACK Audio Cable 1m Lead ^ - eBay (item 270570943725 end time May-28-10 06:07:31 PDT)

05-04-2010, 05:34 AM	#16 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Everyone can stop searching. telekinetic found me the right cable. Everyone, I appreciate the help. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

05-10-2010, 09:45 AM	#19 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	Too bad I missed this thread a week ago, IIRC you live 15 minutes away from me and I could have soldered one up the same day.

05-10-2010, 09:56 AM	#20 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	That would've been cool. The cord I ordered is installed, and is just what I wanted. But, next time I come across something like this, I'll contact you directly. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.