[sdiy] Serge and multiples

[Colin Fraser]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl
> [mailto:owner-synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl]On Behalf Of jh.
> Sent: 25 February 2001 01:01
> To: poker
> Cc: synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Serge and multiples
>
> Hmm, I never used a Banana-type modular, but I'm using this kind of
> cables all the time with lab equipment. It's the safety aspect there,
> mostly. For high voltages, you need this size of insulation on cables
> and plugs. But for a musical synthesizer ?
> Stacking 3 of these plugs on lab equipment is a pain, especially when
> you want to remove the middle one for re-patching. Is it more pleasant
> on musical equipment ??

Isn't the pain of having to re-patch stacked plugs fairly equal to the pain
of having to use multiple panels to split one output to many destinations,
and follow all the extra cables ?

Having said that, my current diy modular uses banana plugs, but the new
modular I've just started is going to be 1/4" based.

IMO advantages of bananas are:
	No need for multiples
	Less panel space required
	Less expensive
	Less soldering when making patch cables
	End result looks more 'mad science' than 'musical instrument' ;-)

The disadvantages are:
	Lack of shielding (not much of a problem with the high signal levels)
and the deciding factor for my new modular...
	Incompatibility with the rest of my equipment

I find I often want to be able to patch another synth thru a filter or the
ringmod in my modular, but I can't because I don't have enough points on the
banana <-> 1/4" interface panel.
I could add more of these panels, but the routing of signals becomes more
complicated with the extra step, and any saving on panel space I made with
the bananas is lost by having whole panels dedicated to interfacing.
I also want to put more analogue effects modules into the modular, but still
want to be able to patch other synths thru them.

So I would say bananas are better for a modular that will be treated as a
'closed' system, but if you want to treat all your equipment as one big
modular, it's a much better idea to have them all using the same connector
format.

Colin f