A very short instrument cable used to connect pedals to each other on a board. Short lengths and slim plugs are the point — a board built from full-length guitar leads is a nest of coils and a source of noise.
Why length matters here
Every extra meter of unbalanced cable on a board adds capacitance and picks up more interference. Ten short patches are quieter than ten long ones coiled up.
Plug profile
Right-angled plugs let pedals sit closer together, which is usually the constraint on a small board.
What to buy first
One instrument cable to the amplifier, one to the board, and patches only when there is more than one pedal to join.
The questions players ask
How short?
Long enough to reach between adjacent pedals without strain, typically 15 to 30 cm (5.9 to 11.8 in). Right-angled plugs save more space than the length does.
Are they the same as instrument cables?
Electrically yes — unbalanced TS. What differs is the length and the plug profile.
Last reviewed 2026-08-19