[sdiy] to banana or not to banana

[Chris Muir]

On Jun 24, 2009, at 6:07 AM, Derek Holzer wrote:
> I like the stackability of banana inputs, but you lose the  
> possibility of individual input attenuation.
>
> Also, how do people handle the signal summing with bananas?

Stacking on inputs is not the way banana systems work, with one  
notable exception of Buchla pulses.

Summing is done like on any other system, by having multiple inputs  
with attenuators.

Stacking on outputs is just like using mults, and works fine.

Stacking pulses on a Buchla works because all pulse outputs have a  
series diode that keeps pulses isolated from other pulse drivers.


> And, do people still keep grounded, ac-coupled inputs on the same  
> modules for external audio signals? Or could an incoming audio  
> signal get "stripped" of it's ground via some converter panel, and  
> run via banana to the module? I see that the old and new Buchla  
> stuff in particular still uses grounded minijacks for some stuff  
> like audio inputs.

This is one of the more controversial aspects of the Buchla approach.  
Serge / Modcan A / Cyndustries / Fenix people will probably say that  
using two different jacks is stupid, and that it should be all-banana.

The Buchla philosophy here is that by having a different connector,  
the audio can travel safely on shielded wires at line level, and the  
audio paths are visually distinct from the control paths. The visual  
distinction is not to be sneezed at. I find that when tracing a  
control path, I don't really even see the mini cables carrying audio.

Having system audio running at line level means that tapping an audio  
signal at any point in a patch and sending it to an external processor  
is a simple matter of mini-plug to 1/4" cables. Buchla systems also  
tend to have mini jacks for FM/AM where needed.

As far as "stripping ground" goes, yes you could have a convertor  
panel that has mini jacks (or 1/4") going to bananas.


> What are people's compelling reasons to go banana over balanced  
> minijack?

Banana jacks are unbelievably robust.

Not having to mult is really a biggie.

Combining pulses is also really good.

The downside is no normalized connections.


> In the end, will I have panels with both anyways?


You'll at least need to get out of your system on something other than  
a banana.

- C

Chris Muir
cbm at well.com	
http://www.xfade.com