Reference Laboratories highlights importance of cables with Rudy Sarzo endorsement
Published: ASIA
WORLD: When it comes to microphones, musical instruments and backline, artist endorsements are commonplace and usually provide artists with lucrative contracts in which swag and or cash are exchanged for their approval of those brands. Out of sight and perhaps out of mind, cables are rarely acknowledged for their virtues. However, Reference Laboratory founder Angelo Tordini continues to spearhead the virtues of selecting the right cables in live, installation, broadcast and recording applications.
His crusade has won him admirers and as such several artists willingly offer Mr Tordini support having been ‘educated’ in selecting the right cable for the instruments they play. As an acknowledged bass guitarist, Rudy Sarzo has been treading the boards since the mid-1970s with the likes of Dio, Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot and Whitesnake. Six years ago, he met Mr Tordini, who provided him with a bespoke bass cable for his personal needs. The encounter definitely changed his mindset towards cables.
‘I am now very passionate about the cables I use when playing bass,’ he freely admitted. ‘After some thought, I told Angelo that I really wanted an analogue cable with less processing, as I want the playback to mirror how the bass sounds to me acoustically when I am recording. Conversely, when I’m playing live, I feel that the cable really is the conduit between the instrument and the PA system, although there’s a trade off as you also need to be able to move around on stage.’
‘Angelo recently presented me with a bass cable that has helped me enormously,’ he continued. ‘He gave me the RICS01R red cable, which has been specifically designed for bass players. Most cables are focused on the guitars and other instruments in the higher end of the spectrum. However, the RICS01R targets the 800 – 1200Hz area of the frequency spectrum, and as a result offers more punch and more bass. There is a transparency in the tone that no other cable comes close to.’ Reference Laboratory may not possess the big brand punch of a bass amplifier or a microphone, but clearly the use of this cable has brought a huge benefit to the musicianship of a world renowned bass player.