[sdiy] [semi-ot] On the virtues of TT vs. 1/4" patch bays (was: making patch cables with thin console cable)

[Jimmy Moore]

Tell me more, Todd!

I've been on the fence with TT stuff and mostly intimidated by it. the
upfront cost and apparent connector diversity (direct solder, db25, EDAC)
scared me off.  I love a project, however, so I'm primed to consider it.

I am currently dipping my toes in with the samson S patch plus.  I got that
for $120 used, and that one *specifically* because it has per-channel
normalization options on the front of the device. The only TT--style
patchbay I'm aware of that supports similar functionality is the
switchcraft studiopatch:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StuPatch9625--switchcraft-studiopatch-9625-96-point-tt-db25-patchbay

An order of magnitude price difference!

At the same time, I have enough gear laying around where I do think I could
probably fill up most of a 96 point bay as-is.  Pound for pound, I wouldn't
be surprised if the total per-channel TT cost ends up being cheaper than an
equivalent number of 1/4" patchbays.

Basically I'm caught up with the convenience of pro-sumer of 1/4" gear, and
the (perceived) professional pricetag of TT/Bantam.

Would it be worth biting the bullet?



On Mon, Sep 7, 2026 at 1:36 PM Todd Sines <sines_list at scale.la> wrote:

>
> Before you go too far, I wouldn’t knock the idea of going TT/Bantam.
> Having routed a few different studios since 1993, first with 1/4” patch
> cables and ProCo bays, now with 5x ADC TT 96-pt bays, painstakingly
> converted to DB25 connections. Thankfully I was able to sell the snakes,
> bays, and cables (all to Binky Griptite of the Dap-Kings, no less!) and
> justify the move to TT bays.
>
> From what I can surmise, thicker gauge cabling is more important for
> 2-wire speaker cables, but not desirable with 3-wire, shielded studio patch
> cables and snakes. I triple check every snake, patchbay and cable I  make —
> I’ve got 480 points of I/O, with runs between 16-45’, and zero hum. All of
> the wire is Gepco or Canare, most of the 1/4” unbal/balanced jacks and
> TiniJax are Switchcraft, the 1/8” and 20% of the 1/4” jacks are Rean, XLR
> are usually Neutrik or Switchcraft.
>
>
> Todd
>
> On Sep 5, 2026, at 12:51 PM, Jimmy Moore via Synth-diy <
> synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
>
> 
> I got a great deal on a spool of mogami w2944, so time to revive the
> patchbay project.   This is console wire, so has a very thin OD of about
> 2.54mm:
>
> https://mogamicable.com/category/bulk/console/#gsc.tab=0
>
> I foresee this causing some challenges with audio jacks that are designed
> around much beefier wire.
>
> I'm curious if anyone had suggestions for preferred (1/4") connectors for
> this kind of thing.  I have a samson S-patch plus, so no TT or bantam jacks
> for me just yet.
>
> I suspect the recommendation will be heat shrink tubing + neutrik jacks.
> I would love to hear what you think.
>
> jimmy
>
> PS: if anyone has some spare jacks or heat shrink you would be interested
> to sell, let me know!
>
>
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