electro-music.com   Dedicated to experimental electro-acoustic
and electronic music
 
    Front Page  |  Radio
 |  Media  |  Forum  |  Wiki  |  Links
Forum with support of Syndicator RSS
 FAQFAQ   CalendarCalendar   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   LinksLinks
 RegisterRegister   ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in  Chat RoomChat Room 
 Forum index » DIY Hardware and Software
3.5 Jack Plug/Socket woes
Post new topic   Reply to topic Moderators: jksuperstar, Scott Stites, Uncle Krunkus
Page 1 of 1 [6 Posts]
View unread posts
View new posts in the last week
Mark the topic unread :: View previous topic :: View next topic
Author Message
Broadwave



Joined: Feb 16, 2007
Posts: 347
Location: Manchester UK
Audio files: 6

PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 1:28 am    Post subject: 3.5 Jack Plug/Socket woes Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I'm at my wit's end here...

As many of you may know, I build my modules to the Eurorack format, using 3.5mm jack sockets.

The problem I have at the moment is that I've found some jack plugs (particularly the ones I've just purchased) just don't fit snuggly causing all kinds of havoc. I've heard a rumour that jack plugs from the US are slightly different to "eastern" manufactured ones (commonly available here in the UK), and that the end pin on US plugs are shaped differently, and fit correctly.

Can anybody confirm this, or am I just going loopy?

If anyone can point me to somewhere in the UK where I can purchase US plugs, I would be most grateful.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
andrewF



Joined: Dec 29, 2006
Posts: 1176
Location: australia
Audio files: 4

PostPosted: Sat May 18, 2013 5:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I can confirm it happens. I once bought a big pack of jacks which were too big for my 3.5mm sockets. You could get them in but it was not easy. Strangely they are perfect for a friends's ARP2500, where regular jacks are too loose.

Can't help you with sources, just you aint crazy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Dave Kendall



Joined: May 26, 2007
Posts: 421
Location: England
Audio files: 3

PostPosted: Sat May 18, 2013 11:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi Andy.

There is a difference in types of socket, as well as jack. Several years back I did a bulk buy for me and a friend, of Cliff (doepfer-style) sockets. At the time there were two models; the old type - CL1384, and a slightly more expensive type - CL13841. In the latter, the tip connector was slightly bent inwards, so as to accomodate both types of jack - far eastern and US.
IIRC, new Cliff socket production only lists the CL1384, but it is actually the "bent connector" 13841 type. I don't know about Kobiconns, or other types of socket.
Hope this helps.... Smile

cheers,
Dave

_________________
"Everything in moderation, including moderation"
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Broadwave



Joined: Feb 16, 2007
Posts: 347
Location: Manchester UK
Audio files: 6

PostPosted: Sun May 19, 2013 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

@Dave - Ah, yes, the old Cliff sockets Rolling Eyes

My first modular used the dodgy ones, and I used the "Doepfer" screwdriver trick to bend the contacts down... trouble is, that it often rendered the switch side useless (when you pulled out the plug, the switch no longer made contact).

I've got to the point where I'm considering ditching the euroracks and rebuilding everything in Dotcom format, as there doesn't seem to be a problem when it comes to 6.3mm jacks - I'm just worried about the size my system will end up!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
yerpa58



Joined: Mar 08, 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Wisconsin
Audio files: 4

PostPosted: Tue May 21, 2013 8:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

This might have been mentioned here before. I think the problem stems from English/metric conversion. In the US, the standard guitar cord uses 1/4" plugs, and the old mini-jacks used 1/8" plugs.

3.5mm is approximately .138", which is quite a bit larger than .125" (1/8"). This means that a 1/8" plug will be sloppy in a 3.5mm jack.

On the other hand, 6.3mm is approximately .248", which is very close to .25" (1/4"), so a 1/4" plug will fit pretty well in a 6.3mm jack, and vice-versa.

A lot of discounters will use 3.5mm and 1/8" interchangeably, so the buyer must beware. Sometimes these same errors plague the Euro/US space programs too, so we are in good company!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
steffensen



Joined: Jul 11, 2012
Posts: 103
Location: Sweden

PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 2:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Get some Kobiconn's or Erthenvar.
I use nothing else.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic Moderators: jksuperstar, Scott Stites, Uncle Krunkus
Page 1 of 1 [6 Posts]
View unread posts
View new posts in the last week
Mark the topic unread :: View previous topic :: View next topic
 Forum index » DIY Hardware and Software
Jump to:  

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


Forum with support of Syndicator RSS
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
Copyright © 2003 through 2009 by electro-music.com - Conditions Of Use