Iconic Sound Introduces Light Lead Cables

Norman86

http://www.premierguitar.com/blogs/5-daily-news/post/20117-iconic-sound-introduces-light-lead-cables

http://www.iconicsound.com/

London, UK (January 2, 2014) -- Iconic Sound Ltd is proud to introduce the world’s first optical analogue, jack-to-jack, guitar cable, The Light Lead. This revolutionary new technology will offer guitarists a mind blowing new guitar cable, which has zero capacitance and zero loading resulting in the most precise, perfect, dynamic and crystal clear guitar sound they’ve ever experienced!

Traditionally guitar cable manufacturers, using basic multi-strand copper cable, have minimised capacitance but have never been able to eliminate it. This has resulted in a loss of high frequencies especially on longer leads. The new Patent Pending Light Lead technology is unique in the existing cable industry using analogue fibre optic technology to provide zero capacitance. This achieves a completely flawless analogue signal transmission with no compression and faithful reproduction of the guitar tone, whatever the length of lead!

The PVC coated Light Lead uses ultra high density, small diameter optical analogue cables that are resistant to crushing and impact giving them a virtually infinite life. They are electrically safe with full electro-magnetic immunity, which makes them distortion and interference free. Subsonic and motion noise, static and interference will be a thing of the past; never again will guitarists’ find their cables acting as aerials. With these advantages they are ideal for use in environments that depend on consistent reliable sound delivery whether it’s on stage or in the studio. The future is light!

The optical analogue technology has the ability to be expanded into many areas of the audio industry from microphones to speakers, headphones and more.

Norman86

This sounds like a rather interesting concept..

but the video is only a promo, not direct comparison..
i personally cant wait for tests against other cables ?

peterleroux

Interesting. This will isolate the guitar impedance from the rest of the signal chain. Whether that is good per bad for you depends on your taste in pedals, I suppose.

Bob-Dubery

There has to be circuitry at each end to convert between optical and electrical. I believe them when they say THE CABLE doesn't have any load or capacitance, but where there's a circuit there's impedance and a potential for colouring the sound.

I wonder if NAMM isn't a fishing trip for them to see if they can attact investors or do a licensing deal.

Gearhead

If low capacitance was always better, no one would buy coily cable. One can achieve 99% of the clarity of such an optical system by putting a buffer into the guitar electronics (eg on the strap like some DI systems for acoustics).

AlanRatcliffe

Gearhead wrote: If low capacitance was always better, no one would buy coily cable. One can achieve 99% of the clarity of such an optical system by putting a buffer into the guitar electronics (eg on the strap like some DI systems for acoustics).

+1. Another "problem" that didn't really need fixing. IMO, the cable loading and capacitance are part of the sound of an electric guitar - precisely why I don't like active pickups.

The disadvantages of a wireless (like batteries), without the advantages. Plus the cable may be more durable than a regular cable, but what about the circuitry on either end (and which is cheaper to fix)?

I really can't see this going anywhere...

psyx

If this catches on, its goodbye to overdrive pedals and buffers as we know them. Their behaviour with a fiber optic interface will be drastically different

Gearhead

psyx wrote: If this catches on, its goodbye to overdrive pedals and buffers as we know them. Their behaviour with a fiber optic interface will be drastically different

Why? Even if there is a difference between the impedance of the fiber optic output interface and that of a guitar, this would only apply to the first pedal. The next one also has a low impedance when the first pedal has buffered output.

Arno-West

I agree with Alan. Not exactly an earth-shattering breakthrough.

".....more clarity blah-blah.....".
I just use the knob marked "Treble" if I want more clarity.....

babbalute

so optical cable, this means fibre optic or glass, this means do not bend cable, do not stand on it, handle with gloves etc.
I could not watch the promo-video would not open for unknown reason will try again later.