[sdiy] Midi 3.5mm cable

[rsdio at audiobanshee.com]

On Aug 24, 2016, at 11:45 PM, Gordonjcp <gordonjcp at gjcp.net> wrote:
> On Wed, Aug 24, 2016 at 06:23:03PM -0700, rsdio at audiobanshee.com wrote:
>> Now that I think about it, 3.5mm MIDI is a bad idea because it might be more difficult to maintain classic MIDI's way of avoiding ground loops. For plastic cases and cheap gear, it wouldn't be an issue, but for modules with metal faces plates, it could really get messy.
> 
> Why would it get messy?  You just wouldn't connect the ground at the device end, same as with DIN-to-DIN leads.

It would be messy because the Sleeve conductor directly contacts the face plate on a panel mount jack, and the face plate is either grounded on the module itself, or potentially grounded by the screw that connects it to the rack. In other words, it would be very difficult to disconnect the ground at either end.

Qunicas mentions using thermofit to isolate the jack body from the grounded panel, but that sounds like a pain to me - messy at the very least.

I retract my statement suggesting that 3.5mm is better because of its size. I'm now thinking one of the other options would be better.

Brian