PLAN B analog blog

Not the same.

3.5mm jacks are smaller diameter than the 1/8 inch, making 1/8 inch
jacs the perfect solution for crappy Cliff jacks.  I would tell you by
how much, but our calipers are packed no joke).  

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CANNOT INSERT 1/8TH INCH PLUGS INTO OUR NEW JACKS
THE ONES WHICH ARE REPLACING CLIFF...THEY WON'T FIT.





--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, Monroe Eskew
<monroe.eskew@...> wrote:
>
> I think 3.5mm and 1/8" is the same.
> I am satisfied with the 1/8" stereo cables from Parts Express.  They're
> cheap, and stereo cables work fine for mono signals.  But maybe my
tastes
> are not as refined as yours...
> 
> On Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 4:10 PM, sascha victoria
> <sascha.victoria@...>wrote:
> 
> >   This may be a dumb question but is there a difference between
1/8 and
> > 3.5mm jacks?
> >
> > I have some patch cords that came with my Cwejman SK1MKII which
are totally
> > awesome. I just ordered some of these and well, they're quite
different and
> > not so awesome.
> >
> >
> >
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/CB-352/2-CABLE-MONO-3.5MM-PHONE-PLUGS-BOTH-ENDS/-/1.html
> >
> > On Richard Lainhart's site he recommends these. They're not cheap but
> > nothing good ever is.
> >
> >
> >
http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?baseItem=SC100MM&cat=CABLESCONN&subcat=AUDIOCAB&prodClass=AMINMIN&mfg=&search=0&off=
> >
> > Anyone have any thoughts on this? Does anyone know of any amazing
source of

> > great patch cords?
> >
> >  
> >
>

On Feb 12, 2009, at 4:10 PM, sascha victoria wrote:

> This may be a dumb question but is there a difference between 1/8  
> and 3.5mm jacks?


I've just been going through this for a couple modules I'm designing  
for the Buchla. The Buchla system uses Switchcraft open frame "Tini- 
Jax" model 41 jacks: http://www.switchcraft.com/products/ 
jack-103.html , and ST740 cable assemblies from the ".141 Custom  
Overmold" line: http://www.switchcraft.com/products/capc-18.html

These 1/8" plugs are really .141" in diameter (3.5814mm). 3.5mm plugs  
are a true 3.5mm which is 0.13779528". This means that 3.5mm plugs  
mostly work in 1/8" jacks, but can be a little loose; going the other  
direction is not so good.

The only problems with using Switchcraft Tini-Jax jacks are cost and  
minimum orders. I thought I had found the perfect cheap jack from  
Mouser, until I got a sample. Mouser part number 161-3552 looks a lot  
like the new Plan-B jack, but the force required to mate with a .141"  
Switchcraft plug is way too high. I'm becoming resigned to using  
expensive Switchcraft jacks, but still looking for a cheaper  
alternative.

- C

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

other way around. 1/8" = .125", 3.5mm ~= .138"

Quoting "(i think you can figure that out)" <peter@buzzclick-music.com>:

> Not the same.
>
> 3.5mm jacks are smaller diameter than the 1/8 inch, making 1/8 inch
> jacs the perfect solution for crappy Cliff jacks.  I would tell you by
> how much, but our calipers are packed no joke).
>
> PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CANNOT INSERT 1/8TH INCH PLUGS INTO OUR NEW JACKS
> THE ONES WHICH ARE REPLACING CLIFF...THEY WON'T FIT.
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, Monroe Eskew
> <monroe.eskew@...> wrote:
>>
>> I think 3.5mm and 1/8" is the same.
>> I am satisfied with the 1/8" stereo cables from Parts Express.  They're
>> cheap, and stereo cables work fine for mono signals.  But maybe my
> tastes
>> are not as refined as yours...
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 4:10 PM, sascha victoria
>> <sascha.victoria@...>wrote:
>>
>> >   This may be a dumb question but is there a difference between
> 1/8 and
>> > 3.5mm jacks?
>> >
>> > I have some patch cords that came with my Cwejman SK1MKII which
> are totally
>> > awesome. I just ordered some of these and well, they're quite
> different and
>> > not so awesome.
>> >
>> >
>> >
> http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/CB-352/2-CABLE-MONO-3.5MM-PHONE-PLUGS-BOTH-ENDS/-/1.html
>> >
>> > On Richard Lainhart's site he recommends these. They're not cheap but
>> > nothing good ever is.
>> >
>> >
>> >
> http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?baseItem=SC100MM&cat=CABLESCONN&subcat=AUDIOCAB&prodClass=AMINMIN&mfg=&search=0&off=
>> >
>> > Anyone have any thoughts on this? Does anyone know of any amazing
> source of
>> > great patch cords?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>

Yep!

Just so you know, I've been talking to the owner to see if he's down
for getyting some 1 footers in. He's a great guy.

- P



--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, Don Kim <dkimcg@...> wrote:
>
> Will the cables from All Electronics still fit?
> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 11:49 AM, (i think you can figure that out)
> <peter@...> wrote:
> > Not the same.
> >
> > 3.5mm jacks are smaller diameter than the 1/8 inch, making 1/8 inch
> > jacs the perfect solution for crappy Cliff jacks. I would tell you by
> > how much, but our calipers are packed no joke).
> >
> > PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CANNOT INSERT 1/8TH INCH PLUGS INTO OUR NEW JACKS
> > THE ONES WHICH ARE REPLACING CLIFF...THEY WON'T FIT.
> >
> > --- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, Monroe Eskew
> > <monroe.eskew@> wrote:
> >>
> >> I think 3.5mm and 1/8" is the same.
> >> I am satisfied with the 1/8" stereo cables from Parts Express.
They're
> >> cheap, and stereo cables work fine for mono signals. But maybe my
> > tastes
> >> are not as refined as yours...
> >>
> >> On Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 4:10 PM, sascha victoria
> >> <sascha.victoria@>wrote:
> >>
> >> > This may be a dumb question but is there a difference between
> > 1/8 and
> >> > 3.5mm jacks?
> >> >
> >> > I have some patch cords that came with my Cwejman SK1MKII which
> > are totally
> >> > awesome. I just ordered some of these and well, they're quite
> > different and
> >> > not so awesome.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/CB-352/2-CABLE-MONO-3.5MM-PHONE-PLUGS-BOTH-ENDS/-/1.html
> >> >
> >> > On Richard Lainhart's site he recommends these. They're not
cheap but
> >> > nothing good ever is.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >
http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?baseItem=SC100MM&cat=CABLESCONN&subcat=AUDIOCAB&prodClass=AMINMIN&mfg=&search=0&off=

> >> >
> >> > Anyone have any thoughts on this? Does anyone know of any amazing
> > source of
> >> > great patch cords?
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >
> >
>

Will the cables from All Electronics still fit?



On Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 11:49 AM, (i think you can figure that out)
<peter@buzzclick-music.com> wrote:

> Not the same.
>
> 3.5mm jacks are smaller diameter than the 1/8 inch, making 1/8 inch
> jacs the perfect solution for crappy Cliff jacks. I would tell you by
> how much, but our calipers are packed no joke).
>
> PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CANNOT INSERT 1/8TH INCH PLUGS INTO OUR NEW JACKS
> THE ONES WHICH ARE REPLACING CLIFF...THEY WON'T FIT.
>
> --- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, Monroe Eskew
> <monroe.eskew@...> wrote:
>>
>> I think 3.5mm and 1/8" is the same.
>> I am satisfied with the 1/8" stereo cables from Parts Express. They're
>> cheap, and stereo cables work fine for mono signals. But maybe my
> tastes
>> are not as refined as yours...
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 4:10 PM, sascha victoria
>> <sascha.victoria@...>wrote:
>>
>> > This may be a dumb question but is there a difference between
> 1/8 and
>> > 3.5mm jacks?
>> >
>> > I have some patch cords that came with my Cwejman SK1MKII which
> are totally
>> > awesome. I just ordered some of these and well, they're quite
> different and
>> > not so awesome.
>> >
>> >
>> >
> http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/CB-352/2-CABLE-MONO-3.5MM-PHONE-PLUGS-BOTH-ENDS/-/1.html
>> >
>> > On Richard Lainhart's site he recommends these. They're not cheap but
>> > nothing good ever is.
>> >
>> >
>> >
> http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?baseItem=SC100MM&cat=CABLESCONN&subcat=AUDIOCAB&prodClass=AMINMIN&mfg=&search=0&off=
>> >
>> > Anyone have any thoughts on this? Does anyone know of any amazing
> source of
>> > great patch cords?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>

> http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?baseItem=SC100MM&cat=CABLESCONN&subcat=AUDIOCAB&prodClass=AMINMIN&mfg=&search=0&off=

Anyone know if these Markertek cables are really worth the price?  I'm
primarily interested in signal quality and reliable connections with
Plan B modules (as well as Doepfer, Harvestman and Livewire).  The
cool thing is they're available in 10 colors!   I'm considering buying
5 to try out, but I'm hoping someone here can provide feedback from
experience or suggest something better.  I've already tried the
AllElectronics cables, but (in my experience) the connection with Plan
B modules is pretty spotty.

Thanks

Kindest regards,
John

I use those cables with my 200e system, and I love them, although I  
don't think they're for everyone. Markertek makes them themselves to  
order, and I've never had a problem with the build quality (bad jacks,  
loose solder joints, etc.), and I've purchased over 50 of them. I'd  
purchased many cables from them in the past for my former job, and  
found the Switchcraft jacks and double-shield, double-lead format to  
be really reliable and clean. I got them for my system primarily for  
the color variety, because I've found that it makes it easier to trace  
the signal paths in complex patches, but I do appreciate the quality  
standards Markertek adheres to. Do those standards really make a  
difference in the signal quality in a modular synth? I don't know; I'm  
not sure I could hear the difference between these and other decent- 
quality cables, but I'm happy with them.

There is one drawback with these, though, and that's the size of the  
jacks and the thickness of the cables. Both are much greater than the  
original cables that shipped with the 200e, and as a result, the front  
panel tends to get more obscured in a complex patch. Here's the state  
of my current master performance patch:

http://www.otownmedia.com/Current_Master_Patch.jpg

It's gotten pretty dense over time, and you'll notice that in some  
places, particularly the lower left, the cable density is such that  
it's getting hard to get at the knobs. Thinner cables and smaller  
jacks would make that easier. But for me at least, the build quality  
and color selection make them worth it.



> > http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?baseItem=SC100MM&cat=CABLESCONN&subcat=AUDIOCAB&prodClass=AMINMIN&mfg=&search=0&off=
>
> Anyone know if these Markertek cables are really worth the price? I'm
> primarily interested in signal quality and reliable connections with
> Plan B modules (as well as Doepfer, Harvestman and Livewire). The
> cool thing is they're available in 10 colors! I'm considering buying
> 5 to try out, but I'm hoping someone here can provide feedback from
> experience or suggest something better. I've already tried the
> AllElectronics cables, but (in my experience) the connection with Plan
> B modules is pretty spotty.




Richard Lainhart
http://www.otownmedia.com
http://www.downloadplatform.com/richard_lainhart
http://www.vimeo.com/rlainhart
http://www.youtube.com/rlainhart