[sdiy] 0.141" vs 0.125" jacks (was: 1/8" jack recommendations)

[Aaron Lanterman]

On Jul 1, 2009, at 2:44 PM, Chris Muir wrote:

> On Jul 1, 2009, at 10:34 AM, Aaron Lanterman wrote:
>
>> Sorry, I lost you there... you said to stay away from 3.5 mm jacks,  
>> but that looks like a datasheet for a 3.5 mm jack?
>
> Oops... wrong link. Try http://www.switchcraft.com/products/jack-103.html
>
> What was originally called a 1/8" jack was the Switchcraft "Tini- 
> Jax" series. In addition to being used by Buchla, this size was used  
> by the Arp 2600 and other early 1/8" synths. This jack is _NOT_  
> 1/8", but .141"

Thanks!

> To compare these measurements, 3.5 mm = 0.13779528" and .141" =  
> 3.5814 mm. This may not seem like a lot of difference, but it is  
> enough to keep Buchla (and other early synth) patchcords from  
> working in a modern 3.5 mm jack.

Eeeek! - now that is annoying isn't it?

So the Buchla 1/8" cords wouldn't plug into a Blacet module?

Blarg.

I remember someone (I think it was Mark Verbos) saying something like:  
"the great things about standards is there are so many to choose from."

Hmmm. My whole reason of wanting to stay Buchla-compatible for my SDIY  
stuff in the first place is I expect to pick up a 200e system at some  
point - so I guess I should go with the the .141" jacks.

Shoot, I forsee making .141" to .125" converters. Gah, that will get  
confusing!

Uhm - can you go the other way? I will a modern 3.5 mm cable connect  
OK in a Buchlaweird 3.5814 mm jack, or will it be too loose?

- Aaron