Gotham Audio Cables

Klaus Heyne shared his expert opinions on the proper construction of cables that are specifically intended for use with microphones. For years Gotham Audio supported the recommendation made by Neumann’s Stephen Peuss in his paper presented at the 77th AES Convention:

“In order to obtain effective protection against high frequencies, it is important… always to connect the cable shield with the appropriate pin of the cable connector at both ends of the cable and with the case.“

Gotham insisted that their IC3 cable assemblies connect the cable shield to the connector shell:

“The shield must be soldered to the connector shell.“

Some have questioned whether this is still necessary, given the improvement in Pin 1 grounding standards. Klaus was pleased to comment:

“If not properly shielded and grounded at the connector, mics tend to act as antennae from their tips to the point of connection. On a good number of mics the housing needs to be properly grounded with a shield-to-connector shell connection, as per the 1985 Gotham recommendation regarding RFI.“

Alex Martin, who is part of technical team upgrading the recording facilities at the famed Wanamaker Organ National Historic Landmark in Philadelphia, wrote to us regarding his use of low capacitance digital audio cable for long ( > 100 meters) microphone runs:

“Jim Stemke and I have been extremely well impressed by the 4 and 8 pair AES snake cabling he ordered last summer…. We had contemplated using an RME fiber optic connection system, but for eight channels it would have cost over $5k. So much as fiber optic may seem snazzy, it’s vastly more cost effective to go with 500 ft. runs of the Gotham AES cable.“

R.G.Heck Jr., a New England audiophile, did a thorough test of numerous Gotham interconnect and speaker cables in his high-end system during the summer of 2009. The results are contained in a seven page article that he wrote detailing the system set-up and his impressions of our cables. It concludes :

“The following is an account of my experience with using Gotham Audio cable in my two-channel, high-end audio system and, ultimately, of why I have completely rewired the system using GAC-4/1 interconnects, GAC-SPK speaker wire,and GAC-1 S/PDIF-Pro and GAC-2 AES digital cables….. The result of having Gotham wire throughout the system was truly incredible. I have already mentioned the qualities that are so obvious to critical listening: detail, extension, air, space, and the like. But that is not at all what is most impressive about this wire. Rather, the overall effect is that the music just sounds more like music. It is lifelike, natural, relaxed, and involving.

I find that my mind wanders much less when I am listening now than it did just a few short months ago, because it is so much easier just to listen to the music and to forget about music reproduction; to “relax into the illusion”, as I often tell friends when they visit. And thus I find myself thinking those magic thoughts that audiophiles know always mean that they have hit upon something special: “I can’t wait to hear [insert great album here] again!” I find myself pulling out album after album and listening far longer than I’d intended. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Just being able to enjoy music?

It is possible, to be sure, that there are better cables out there. But my experience, and that of the friends to whom I’ve so far sent cables to test, has convinced me that interconnects carefully built from GAC-4/1 and quality connectors can easily compete with cable literally costing fifty or a hundred times as much. It is indeed a “giant killer”.

John Raines writes : “I just got my GAC-3 cables in today and they made an
incredible difference. i tracked a couple acoustic guitar tracks through a simple
AKG C-1000S and it sounded like a million bucks.”

Wave Vidmar, the first American to trek solo to the North Pole, is getting ready to row solo across the North Atlantic Ocean (from USA to Europe) this summer. On his boat he will have microphones, high resolution recorder, and a full music recording studio. Mr. Vidmar commented :“I’m very familiar with Gotham cable. I did extensive listening tests comparing your cable against many others, some up to $1,000 per meter. The Gotham cable was the cleanest with the most natural soundstage for any cable less than $1,500 a meter/pair. I purchased several spools and have wired up my own studio as well as others, and in fact, used Gotham throughout a custom Porsche audio install. Whenever someone brings up M——- or C——-, I tell them to use Gotham Cables – the best cable that most have never heard of. “

Elizabeth Daneman of Longleaf Technologies (FL) and Sandpiper Technologies (CA) uses Gotham audio cables in connection with video surveillance and inspection products that meet the data collection needs of research biologists. Elizabeth writes:

“If you ever want a testimony for a not so orthodox use of your product which really puts it through the test, let me know. Biologists across the country appreciate the Gotham quality. This cable is nearly indestructible even when packed through the scrub and used in a harsh outside environnment where it is unspooled and spooled day in and day out during this bird’s breeding season. Cheers ! for you are indirectly supporting the recovery of a nearly extirpated species and protecting the habitat in which they live.“

Our knowledge of birds is limited to our beloved Baltimore Orioles, but we appreciate the good words from Elizabeth!

FROM BIRD WATCHING TO STRING BENDING…..”

Many are unaware that Gotham makes a fine unbalanced cable, GAC-1 , for guitar cords and other instrumental and h/fi applications. Note the comments from Indiana based musican Andrew Funkhouser:

Lew! …these cables really are great. This cable is easily the most dependable cable i’ve used. After nearly a year of use, I still pick my Gotham cable over any other cables around. I’ve never heard even a hint of a crackle or pop while using this cable, which is probably my favorite thing about this cable. I definitely recommend this to everyone.

He did recommend them to his brother Brandon, who wrote:

I still think that your cables are some of the best on the market. Recently at a show my M_____r cable went out. I’m just really glad that I brought your cable along. When I plugged it in it actually sounded better then the M____r. I’m really glad Andrew got those.

HERE’S A NICE UNSOLICITED POST (DATED 2009) FROM A TAPE-OP READER :

“ Wanted to give a shout-out to Gotham Audio for their great service and wonderful cables. I’ve made a few recent purchases (misc. mic cables, TRS >XLR), and find their products fantastic and service excellent. They do both bulk cable and “assemblies” , and the prices are very competitive. Nice touch that each cable comes with it’s own tie wrap. I’ve read some things (even on their site) where some years back there were “issues” around service, but the current folks (Lewis Frisch) are wonderful. Not affiliated in any way with ‘em – just a satisfied customer.”
Steve E.

Gotham GAC-7 tube microphone cable has truly become the cable of choice for leading microphone manufacturers and modifiers including Blackspade Acoustics, Bock Audio, Beeesneez, Fox Audio Research, Lawson, Lucas Engineering, Lauten Audio, Manley Labs, Avant Electronics, Berliner, Charter Oak, Korby, Stephen Paul Audio, Cathedral Pipes, RMS Audioworks, Walker Microphones, Hamptone, Klaus Heyne’s German Masterworks and Holmes Engineering. We can’t publicize the list of other manufacturers who supply Gotham GAC-7 to their irate clients when the Chinese cables they sell with their mics fail in the field.

We are pleased to add Cascade Microphones and Equation Audio to our list of manufacturers providing Gotham Cables as an accessory for their fine microphones.

Gotham Audio LLC has also supplied our MiniAES multipair cable to Mytek Digital, GAC-4/1 to ITI Audio Designs, GAC-3 to Nebraska Educational Television and GAC-2 and GAC-2/1 Cables to Broadcast Equipment Inc. National Public Radio installed Gotham GAC-3, GAC-4/1 and GAC multipair in the new NPR facility in NYC.
A mile of GAC-4/1 graced a new 2011 installation at Lincoln Center in NYC
Bernie Becker, the LA based mastering engineer and longtime mixer for Neil Diamond, rewired his mastering suite with Gotham GAC-2AES digital audio cable.

Canadian Voice-Over talent Graeme Spicer recently approached us regarding some very thorny RFI issues in his production room. Before he attempted any further elaborate technical solutions, we recommended that he simply swap his Canare mic cable for a Gotham GAC-3 with shields grounded to the connector shell, as per the traditional Neumann and Klaus Heyne recommendations. Graeme wrote to us after doing the swap:

“Living two miles from the CN Tower in downtown Toronto, I thought that RF interference in my home voiceover studio was simply a matter of fact that I could do little about. I had tried more expensive mic cables with ferrite beads, the works.

Then I discovered Gotham Audio’s reasonably-priced GAC-3 microphone cable, modified with the shield grounded to the shell (like they did it in the old days). It totally solved my RFI problem – I would happily have paid twice the price. Highly recommended!

Another Canadian, Derek DiFilippo, wrote us regarding his facility in British Columbia:
I’ve been using the cables you sold me with my two Gefell UM70s microphones. One in particular was suffering from a bad RFI problem… now all gone! I captured some of the best vocal sounds I’ve ever obtained this weekend using the Gefells (which have not changed) and the cables… which have been stellar. Now I see those cables as an extension of the microphones & won’t use those mics without them ever again..

A studio in South Florida was plagued with problems when they plugged in their instruments :” I need to order guitar cables that have a great electrical interference rejection. Every cable I have has some sort of interference, and I have to twist around to find a “perfect” spot which usually doesn’t last very long…”

Would Gotham GAC-1UltraPro prove to be the solution ? We sent him two cables to try out. The result :“ Just wanted to let you know that the cables are AMAZING. I called my wife to the studio to hear the difference. When I plugged the M——r cables back, she told me to spare her the pain ! When I plugged the Gotham cables in, all of the fuzz/distortion disappeared. This is amazing – I knew I could fix this issue with your product I’m super happy.”

Tom Trucco at Orchard Productions in Chicago and Shane Rhoads in Cedar Hill, Texas also experienced relief from RFI when they replaced their mic cable with Gotham GAC-3 cable wired with the shields grounded to the connector shell. They join literally hundreds of studio owners who have had similar experiences eliminating tenacious RFI with a simple cable swap.

When I was looking for some mic cables for “The Listening Sessions Meets Bozzio” project with Ronan Chris Murphy, I ran into Gotham Audio LLC. I remembered Gotham from back in the day with Stephen Temmer, when they used to be the only place in the US to get Neumann mics. And if you ordered a Neumann mic they came with Gotham cables. So, we gave them a shot. The cables performed beautifully and – even more importantly – quietly. I’ve used and tested hundreds of products since TLS started in the fall of 2002. And I’ve always been striving to find and let the audio community know about great products and great values. I was surprised at how affordable the Gotham Audio Cables are. Excellent quality.

Dan Richards (Dot), studioforums.com, 05-05-06