Professional audio cables are XLR male one end and female at the other. I keep them all plugged together in one long chain spooled round a cable drum rigged up in a holder that allows it to rotate freely, so when I need cable I just pull off the length I need and separate the connectors to divide it into the right lengths. No knots, no tangles.

Unfortunately you can't do everything with XLRs....

plastic bags are a good way to keep them separate. Looks a bit naff if you use supermarket carrier bags but they do the job perfectly.

Anahata