Effects order using switching jacks

[Beo]

I'm putting two effects into one box, and I want the ability to swap the effect order. However, there is a definite default order, and the opposite order would be used rarely. So I don't want to put a juggler switch on the front... instead I'll use separate I/O jacks for each effect. I'm trying to decide whether to use switching jacks to automatically route the signals depending on which I/O jacks are plugged in, or to require an external patch cable as a jumper.

It seems straight forward to expect the owner to plug cables into IN1 and OUT2 for default order, or into IN2 and OUT1 for reverse order, and have the jack switching route the signal. But what if the owner tries to just use one side (IN1/OUT1, or IN2/OUT2), or what if the owner tries splitting outputs (IN1, OUT1 and OUT2). From my napkin drawings, it seems the signal routing will get messed up if jacks are plugged in a abnormal way.

Is it best to KISS? Two input/output sets of jacks, and no internal interconnects (use jumper patch cable). Then it's obvious what goes where using the external wiring?

Maybe I should reconsider a 3pdt toggle switch, to implement the juggler. Then there would be just one set of Input/Output jacks, the toggle switches order, and there's no multi-jack confusion. (Screwed if one effect fails though... can't isolate out the bad effect.)

Any ideas, or links would be appreciated.

[Seljer]

Don't see anything wrong with doing it with switching jacks.

But what if the owner tries to just use one side (IN1/OUT1, or IN2/OUT2), or what if the owner tries splitting outputs (IN1, OUT1 and OUT2). From my napkin drawings, it seems the signal routing will get messed up if jacks are plugged in a abnormal way.

as soon as you'd plug something in OUT1 it would disconnect from IN2 (and vice verse for OUT2 and IN1), thats the idea of switching jacks

If you plugged in just one side (IN1 OUT1) the other side wouldn't have any input signal at all....of course the same thing would be accomplished with IN1 and OUT2 and the second effect bypassed

Splitting would not be possible without external cables

[Beo]

Thanks for the feedback. I'd like to think this shouldn't be difficult.

I basically see five valid configurations:
IN1 / OUT2, effect1 - effect2
IN2 / OUT1, effect2 - effect1
IN1 / OUT1, effect1 only
IN2 / OUT2, effect2 only
IN1 / OUT1 and IN2 / OUT2, effect1 and effect2 routed independently.

Can switching jacks properly route and disconnect signals for each of these scenarios?

[R.G.]

Look up "patch bay" and "normaling" or "normaled"