Connectors
In the UK, the terms jack plug and jack socket are commonly used for the respective male and female connectors.[1] In the US the more fixed connector is called a jack.[2]
Caution[edit | edit source]

Front panel[edit | edit source]

Banana plugs vs. other plugs[edit | edit source]

With banana jacks you can patch live without the noises caused by patch cables momentarily connecting to ground.[7]
Banana plugs are stackable i.e. one can plug into the end of another. Most banana synths are designed with stackable plugs in mind, whereas most 1/4" and 3.5mm jack systems include multiples.[6]
On Buchla synthesizers the audio and contol paths and control are kept separate. The control path uses EF Johnson banana jacks and swings between +/-15V, while the audio path is at 1.228V RMS, (+4dBu professional line level) and uses 0.141" Tini-Jax.[8][9]
Regular jacks provide an extra switched connection enabling normalization (connections when there is no cable plugged in).
Midi[edit | edit source]
MIDI cables terminate in a five pin 180° DIN connector. Standard applications use only three of the five conductors: a ground wire, and a balanced pair of conductors that carry a +5 Volt signal. Some proprietary applications, such as phantom-powered footswitch controllers, use the spare pins for DC power.[10] Opto-isolators keep MIDI devices electrically separated from their connectors, which prevents ground loops from occurring.[11]
External DC connector[edit | edit source]
The coaxial power connector is the miniature power connector used for attaching extra-low voltage devices such as consumer electronics to external power supplies. Also known as barrel connectors, concentric barrel connectors or tip connectors, these small cylindrical connectors come in a variety of sizes.
Internal DC power supply[edit | edit source]
Eurorack[edit | edit source]
For internal power distribution, a Eurorack case typically has a distribution board with 16 pin headers. With Doepfer these also includes +5 Volts, and Gate and CV which are used by a few modules to normalise these signals. The power cable is typically a length of ribbon cable with a female 16-pin IDC connector on one end and a 10-pin on the other. Incorrectly connecting one of these connectors can damage the module. The stripe on the ribbon cable indicates the -12V side of the connectors.[12]
See also Eurorack
5U[edit | edit source]
To distribute DC from the power supply to the modules MOTM and Oakley Sound Systems implement a star distribution with 4 way AMP MTA-156 headers or 4 way Molex KK connector 0.156" headers on a PCB.[13] The CGS uses a power distribution bus.[14]
Modcan and Cyndustries have the same type of connector as MOTM to distribute power to modules except they only use a 3 pin version which provides +/-15v only. Power is also distributed from the power supply via a bus board.[15]
Synthesizers.com implements a DC star distribution via cable harness, connected to the power supply by a 4 pin .093 Molex connector while six pin keyed MTA-100 connectors on the harness connect to male headers on the modules, with +/-15V, +5V and a ground shared between these.[16]
See also Comparison of 5U module brands
Loudest Warning[edit | edit source]
Loudest Warning aka CLee suggest a power bus with 0.100" (2.54mm) 4 pin through hole connector keyed headers (Digi-Key part WM4202-ND, Molex 22232041). The flying leads, soldered to the PCB connect to the bus via 4 pin 0.100" (2.54mm) connector housing (Digi-Key part WM2002-ND, Molex 0022013047) and crimped pins (Digi-Key part WM2756-ND, Molex 8650805).[17]
Other formats[edit | edit source]
Frac and Wiard 300 series use the same 4 way MTA-156 connectors as 5U MOTM.
Notes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ^ Radio Production by Robert McLeish, Newnes, 2005, ISBN 0-240-51972-8
- ^ Reference Designations for Electrical and Electronics Parts and Equipment, ASME Y14.44-2008, ASME, Fairfield, 2008, Section 2.1.5.3
- ^ Molex Connectors Explained, as used in Pinball.
- ^ Bantam (TT) Jacks
- ^ "Bantam Jack Patching". Archived from the original on 2016-12-31. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
- ^ a b Banana plugs vs. other plugs on Mod Wiggler forum
- ^ comment in Synth DIY, Facebook group.
- ^ Why Buchla?, Buchla tech blog, 4 Oct 2008
- ^ The Good Thing About Standards: So Many To Choose From, Buchla Tech blog, 7 October 2007
- ^ TC Electronic G Major by Dave Lockwood, Sound On Sound, December 2001.
- ^ Digital Theory by Allen Mornington-West, Sound Recording Practice, 4th edition, Edited by John Borwick, Oxford University Press, 1996.
- ^ "Eurorack Power Cables". Archived from the original on 2013-09-09. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
- ^ Dizzy User Manual and Builders Guide v3.2.0 by Tony Allgood
- ^ CGS, Power Bus Board
- ^ Power distribution – updated, Mod Wiggler forum, Sep 2008
- ^ Synthesizers.com, Power System Components, DC Power Harnesses
- ^ BOM 4U LW Format Boat
External links[edit | edit source]
- Aaron Lanterman's Notes on making Buchla-compatible stuff
- Wikipedia:Phone connector (audio)
- Wikipedia:Banana connector
- Wikipedia:Coaxial power connector
- Synthesizer panels using bannana sockets
- Common plugs and connectors
Power connectors[edit | edit source]
- Power distribution thread at Mod Wiggler forum
- Supplier part numbers for MOTM 4 pin 0.156 MTA
- Supplier part numbers for Synthesizers.com 6 pin .100 MTA
- Oakley Sound Systems' Construction Guide has a comparison between MTA and Molex connectors.