[sdiy] Banana vs. 1/4" question

[jhaible]

Interesting articles, but a little biased against 1/4" I'd say.

1/4" does *not* mean you have to use thick, heavy, expensive, black
guitar chords.

There are lightweight, thin, colour-coded, and very unexpensive
1/4" cables made by Hosa and others. With these, you have all the
advantages of bananas (except the stacking), and all the advantages of
minijacks (except a slightly larger front panel hole, but with much
increased stability and better contact).

There *are* pro's and cons for everything, but some of the cons
attributed to 1/4" are only valid if you really use the above mentioned
black low capacitance guitar cords. (Guitar cords often have a large
diameter, as large as the connector allows, to keep capacitance
low. No need for that in a synth patchcord.)

JH.


> Those interested in this topic may enjoy Mike Firman's Modularity 103
> article on the subject:
>
> http://www.creativesynth.com/columns/003_Modularity/Modularity_103.html
>
> and my, intended to be humorous, reply in Modularity 104. I hope no one is
> offended by the dirty limerick.
>
> http://www.creativesynth.com/columns/003_Modularity/Modularity_104.html
>
> Please note that at that point I was very much in favor of the 3.5mm
> connector and opposed to the "banana Nazis" as I saw it then.
>
> Since then I have realized that there are no perfect solutions to problems
> as complex and undefineable as musical instrument design. EVERY practical
> approach has advantages and disadvantages.
>
> It is precisely because there can be no perfect solution, that the design
of
> electronic music instruments will remain fascinating forever. The variety
> will be endless, the debate over who prefers what and why will go on
> forever, everybody will be right and wrong at the same time, and all
parties
> will be enriched by the disagreement.
>
> So, I am now officialy FOR every music synthesizer and noise maker of any
> type and design. The more imaginative, colorful and strange the better I
> like it. However, those who prefer their modules with minimalist black
> faceplates and black knobs are perfectly wonderful people too.
>
> I salute them BECAUSE they like something different than I do. Be like
> yourself, only more so...
>
> Also, I am sure Darwin would love more articles for the Modularity column.
> Can't think of a better group to write about modulars than those here.
>
>
>
>