[sdiy] Patchbays - 1/4" or TT/bantam jacks?

[Cary Roberts]

>Bantam (iirc) was a telecom standard at one time... obsoleted by
>solid state switch gear.

This simply isn't true.  In the US TT/bantam is used on all DS1
(1.544mbps) circuits between transport equipment, DACSes, and
multiplexers.  While they're not as frequently deployed as they used to
be (thanks to optical interconnects between equipment) there are still
hundreds of thousands of ports installed in every large telco facility.
A standard 23" wide 7' high rack can terminate 1008 or 1512 circuits,
with typically three jacks per circuit (in, out, monitor).  That's a lot
of jacks in a single rack.

>>If you EVER had the misfortune to mistake a bantam jack for 1/4"...
then
>>try to insert a 1/4"... you will be REALLY unhappy
>
>You're thinking longframe 1/4" jacks there. Same size
>opening, totally different mechanics behind.

TT/bantam has the same shape as 1/4" MIL phone plugs but are .173" in
diameter.  Both MIL and TT/bantam plugs are designed to not short tip to
ring when the plug is inserted and have much better retention than
standard audio 1/4" or 1/8" connectors.

>I think they're not popular for synth/DIY projects because they're
>hard to find and expensive. The ones I know are either PCB mount
>or patchbay-frame mount, not exactly friendly for small or one-off
gear.

These are available in a standard package just like the Switchcraft Hi-D
Jax used on the MOTM and others, as well as a right angle PCB mount.

Other than telco and pro audio they're not real popular as most folks
don't want to pay for the quality.  TT/Bantam parts also aren't well
stocked by most suppliers.  I'd love to see modular gear use them in
place of 1/8" but I'll settle for banana plugs instead.  Besides, I can
stack my bananas.

-Cary