As their slogan – "The Cable of the Pros" – suggests, Mogami is well known for making remarkable audio cables that are carefully constructed and fully shielded to preclude any ambient interference and eliminate passive signal noise that can lower the overall sound quality of even the best instruments and audio equipment. Mogami MIDI Synchro cable assemblies transmit pristine audio input information without the signal-altering wiring configurations that are used by some cable manufacturers to "correct" the input signals that pass through them by altering the frequency range or EQ. Mogami's approach to cable construction guarantees that their MIDI interface cables are absolutely the best MIDI cables on the market, and they're not even the most expensive option out there.
These outstanding MIDI connector cables are backed by Mogami's lifetime "No Excuses" warranty and will be replaced should anything whatsoever go wrong. When you buy a Mogami MIDI cable, you can be sure that you're using a MIDI cord that can handle any signal you send its way, within any configuration of MIDI-synchronized gear – from simple setups to complex digital music information exchange chains – for life. Because Mogami's 5-pin MIDI cables are made from the highest-quality materials and have been meticulously designed and tested to ensure that they meet Mogami's exacting engineering standards for construction quality and flawless signal transmission, their Synchro MIDI cables are our pick for the TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award.
Let's talk about audio cable construction in general and how it relates specifically to Mogami MIDI cables. Audio cables are composed of several different parts that include several individually insulated wires surrounded by a shield – and sometimes a sub-shield – that are all surrounded by an external casing, called a "jacket," which is the only visible element of the cable apart from the connectors at either end. The type of connector varies depending on the cable's function; instrument patch cords generally have quarter-inch stereo plugs, while microphone cables have either one XLR connector and a quarter-inch plug or dual XLR connectors and speaker cables have either left and right channel exposed wire, dual RCA connectors, quarter- or eighth-inch stereo or mono plugs. MIDI wire, in contrast, is connected to either 3-, 5-, 7- or 13-pin DIN connectors depending on their intended function and the type of equipment they interface with and control, although MIDI information is transmitted on two channels via two wires and only requires two pins and a third to act as a ground. Therefore, MIDI cables with more than three pins use the extra pins for other functions, such as: tape synchro signals, phantom power and device control signals.
Mogami's 5-pin MIDI cable wiring configuration connects a twisted pair of insulated wires to pins 4 and 5 to transfer MIDI information, with pins 1 and 3 wired for tape synchro signals. Pin 2 is a shield wire that is grounded on one end so it doesn't create a noise loop that would drastically lower the sound quality and distort the MIDI signal. These MIDI cables have one-piece molded connectors, which are more durable than two-piece or removable connectors, a specifically designed superflexible cable for easy handling and durability, silver- or gold-plated – available upon request – male-to-male pins and colored rings to help you keep track of each cable's signal path when using complex setups with multiple MIDI cables. The wiring consists of four 30-strand individually insulated 26 AWG (American wire gauge) TPC (third-party certified) copper conductors, a served (spiral) shield made from nickel-plated brass and polyacetal resin insulation, which is all encased inside a flexible black PVC (polyvinyl chloride) jacket. In other – less technical – words, these materials make for one amazing MIDI cable.
As far as musical equipment is concerned, patch cords and cables are the simplest element of any setup, and are often viewed as virtually identical in terms of functionality and quality. While this is true to a certain extent, it is the small differences between cable brands that add up to audible distinctions between high-quality and low-quality cable rigs that do alter the overall sound of a band on stage or the audio fidelity of the instrument tracks and mix in a studio recording. The differences between cables become increasingly apparent over time, as lesser cables wear more quickly and develop shielding problems that result in passive noise and signal distortion before they finally break altogether, while high-quality cables wear more slowly and sound better longer despite the tensile strain they endure from being rolled up, transported, unrolled, stepped on and strained night after night for years.
Mogami MIDI connector cables are among the most durable audio cables available. They are highly rated by everyone who uses them, and even those who don't, from amateur musicians to seasoned professionals. Plus, due to the lifetime "No Excuses" warranty, a worn-out or broken Mogami cable is no big deal because it can be easily and quickly replaced with a new, pristine cable that will again be replaced at the end of its long lifespan.
For the purposes of this review site, we only looked at standard 5- or 6-foot 5-pin MIDI cables. Many of the MIDI connectors in our lineup are available in a range of colors and come with an assortment of colored rings to help you differentiate between what can easily become a tangled mess of cables when you use multiple pieces of equipment that all have power cords, input and output lines, effects-chain cables, MIDI connectors and instrument patch cords running into, out of and between them. Additionally, most manufacturers in our lineup offer other MIDI cable options, so we created this category to provide you with information about both our featured products and the other cable types available from these manufacturers, including USB MIDI cables, dual MIDI cables (with two input and two output connectors), connectors with other pin configurations and the range of available lengths that include ready-made and custom lengths along with bulk cable for making your own patch cords and audio cables.
Mogami offers custom-length single or dual MIDI Synchro cables in addition to their pre-made 1.5-, 3-, 5-, 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-foot cables, which come with colored rings for differentiation. The cables only come in black jackets, but you do have the option to buy them with gold-plated connector pins rather than the standard silver-plated connectors if you prefer. You can also purchase their cable in bulk if you have the technical know-how to make your own MIDI, instrument, microphone or speaker cables.
Although MIDI cables don't require much in the way of help and support, the terms of a manufacturer's warranty and the quality of their technical support and customer service become quite important when a cable fails and needs to be replaced. In addition to their fantastic lifetime warranty, Mogami provides technical support for their products via phone or email, and they are incredibly quick to respond to email queries with detailed answers and advice. Their website has a FAQs page and online manuals, spec sheets and product catalogs, and is well designed and easy to navigate.
As you've probably noticed, we don't have a single criticism of Mogami or their MIDI cables. We highly recommend them, without reservation, to anyone looking to purchase the best MIDI cable backed by the most comprehensive warranty available. If you use MIDI or would like to begin using it to streamline your musical projects or pursuits, you'll need cables, and Mogami MIDI Synchro cables are unbeatable for any application regardless of your level of proficiency with MIDI technology and devices. To put it simply, if you use MIDI, use Mogami.
