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This technique is often referred to as “over, under” as apposed to the more common “over, over” because it prevents damage or cable memory from twisting in one direction. Frequently used in the audio/video industry.
The biggest downside is that if you pass the end of the cable through the middle of the bundle you will create a knot every other loop. These can quickly be unknotted by gathering the knots together in line and passing an end back through. Also makes a decent magic trick.
A cable tie, hook-and-loop fastener, or a piece of rope or tie-line with a clove hitch in the middle is essential to secure cables while in transit or storage.
For anyone working on or around stages:
Most sane production companies standardise on over-under. Even if you find some other method superior (nothing is), you’ll get thrown out headfirst if you don’t follow the standard. Having a tech fuck around with a non-compliant cable during a changeover is far too risky.
Should be noted that there are special cases. For example, thicccc cables (i.e. 24ch analog multi) that have their own dedicated cases often go down in an 8 instead - easier to pull out and you can use a smaller case. Thank god for digital audio.
(Also, when using over-under correctly, you can throw the cable and it will land straight without any internal stresses winding it up like a spring)
If you find “over/under” confusing, that’s probably because it’s misleading terminology.
You might find it more intuitive to think of this as “outside/inside”, meaning that each new loop is made by bringing the cable’s free end up to your stationary hand either outside (away from the already coiled cable) or inside (between the already coiled cable and itself) as it forms the new loop.
Also do this with garden hoses and braided style ropes
I love you.
Same effect, but I learned this differently: always “over”, but apply a twist with thumb & index finger every time i loop the cable. Faster once you get it.
No, it’s not the same effect. Your way just forces the cable into a neat-looking coil, but it twists the conductors inside. That’s why when you uncoil it, you get a corkscrew that won’t lay flat, tangles more easily, and eventually wears the cable out. The method in the video avoids putting a twist in the cable at all - so when you uncoil it, it lies flat, doesn’t tangle, and lasts longer.
Maybe I didn’t explain it well enough, but what I learned does exactly the same as what the video shows, but with a different movement.
No, I get what you mean but you just said “always over.” That puts a twist in the cable. You can’t not twist it if you do “always over.”
Go take one of your long extension cords and attach the other end somewhere off the ground and then uncoil it so that it’s suspended in the air and you’re holding the other end. You’ll feel how it wants to turn in your hand because there’s a twist in it. That’s what the method in the video is preventing from happening.
I guess I’d have to show it to you, then you’d understand.
My long cables are very much untangled, flat and long-lasting.
Here’s your way with “always over” and “applying a twist with thumb & index finger every time i loop the cable” versus the proper way to do it.
You literally say you twist the cable as you’re coiling it. That’s why there’s a twist in it. You can even see in the video that once I start to coil it your way the loose end start to twist even though I started with a straight rope.
That looks convincing and I’d have to try myself with an actual cable to experience the difference. Until then I guess you win.
Why didn’t you use an actual cable?
Why didn’t you use an actual cable?
It doesn’t really matter. A rope, hose or a cable all behave the same. This piece of paracord illustrates the point and as you said, you can try it out yourself.
Also, I applaud you for being able to admit when you’ve been wrong. That’s rare nowdays.
FWIW, I don’t find that video convincing of anything, because it’s too difficult to see what the cable is doing, especially with respect to twist (or lack thereof) as it gets coiled.
Nah. Just grab the audio cable by the end and tightly wrap it around your elbow and hand. It’s super fast. Then tie the other end around the middle of the loop to hold it all together.
That damages the cable over time. Which is the point of this YSK
I am loving all the downvotes for this comment. did you ever try using duct tape to bind the cable before putting it in the back of a hot humid truck?
