The great banana debate

[Steven Varner]

Paul Schreiber wrote:

> 2) The best choice is of course panel mounted BNC jacks, using made up ITT/Pomona BNC to BNC cables. Expensive, but you can't beat rugged and reliable.

BNC?  You mean those big metal jobs you have to jam 
in twist and lock -- where the little pins snap in 
the grooves on the side?  That sounds a bit 
cumbersome for quick patching.  I might as well use 
DIN plugs (or SCSI cables  ;-)  ).

> 4) I have a problem using "single" bananas: where is the ground/shield? You certainly don't want to rely on the metal panels screwed to a grounded rail.  

There isn't a shield - that's the banana debate!  
Mark McLemore's point was that hum caused by ground 
loops (from the shielding) would actually be louder 
than noise coming in the unshielded cords.  He worked 
out the noise using a worst case scenario (noise from 
a dimmer I believe).  It was relatively low.  BTW, 
using single banana plugs and kinkless test lead wire 
(18 A.W.G.) you have a 2 foot cord for less than 2 US 
dollars. 

> 5) ARP 2600 tried 3.5MM (bastardized in the US as "1/8") jacks, but got complaints that they broke off, leaving the plug crammed into the jack. 

Digisound's modules also used 3.5 mm jacks.


Steve Varner
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> B. A few months ago there was a discussion of banana
> plugs/jacks versus 1/4 inch plugs.  I would like
> those that have used either to post your experiences
> now that a bit of time has passed.  I remember Ric
> Miller saying he changed all his jacks to banana
> jacks (and from all the red and yellow spots on
> Ernie, I see he did).  Mark McLemore posted some pros
> and cons.  How are the banana patch cords as far as
> noise?  And for others out there: how are 1/4 inch
> for hum? (I still think this shouldn't be a problem
> as long as only one end of the shielding is
> connected).
> I really want to go with banana plugs.
> 1. They come in lots of colors
> 2. They're lighter
> 3. They have greater connecting surfaces
> 4. They're made for being yanked in and out of jacks
> 5. They're cheaper!
> 
> Mark's idea of making banana to 1/4 inch adapters in
> unused panel areas was great (a simple idea, why
> didn't I think of it?).
> 
> Steve Varner
> svarner at sdcoe.k12.ca.us