[sdiy] Substitute for pin matrixes?

[Scott Nordlund]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, since I've only been half paying attention, but how about wire wrap?  You could have a row of inputs, a row of outputs, and in between a row or two with resistors between them.  This limits the maximum number of "patch cords" to the number of resistors you have, but it's no problem to have a bunch of them.  Not much fun to repatch, though.
 
Or maybe a large etched board with semicircular in/out contacts, use coins to make the connection.  Will be great fun when your cat jumps on it during a recording session.
 
I like the idea of reed switches or hall effect sensors; it may not be so nicely controllable but I can picture magnets swinging from strings, magnetic marbles rolling, magnetic board game pieces, etc...  Whether or not anything listenable comes out of it may not be a concern if you can use it to score some sound installation or "performance art" gigs. 		 	   		  
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