RCA jacks & pedals

[Mike Z]

anyone use rca jacks for pedal connections
I want to build a multi bypass to switch pedals in and out of the chain
I'm thinking rca jacks from the switch unit to 1/4 jacks for the pedals
any down side to this other then having to make custom cables

[alparent]

I'de use normal 1/4" jacks.

[GGBB]

Many moons ago I worked in the retail high-end audio business where RCA connectors are considered to be something that is unavoidable but far less than optimal.  Hi quality ones (plugs in particular) do the job just fine but are not intended for, and do not hold up well to, repeated connect-disconnect cycles - they are intended for more permanent use.  Even their design is really not particular good for making quality contact - high-end plugs and jacks squeeze the most out of a limited design but your garden variety ones are rather poor and over time and use becomes fatigued and weaken the connection.  Durability is a big concern as well - they are just not as ruggedly built as a quality 1/4" from Switchcraft, Neutrik or similar quality brands.  Also, the 1/4" route will be notably cheaper than high quality RCA prices.

[slacker]

What's the thinking behind wanting to use RCA jacks? Like the others, I'd stick with 1/4 inch plugs, custom cables are alright until they break and you haven't got a spare, things that can be replaced with standard instrument leads are the way to go where practical.

[PRR]

> not intended for, and do not hold up well to, repeated connect-disconnect cycles - they are intended for more permanent use.  Even their design is really not particular good for making quality contact

Right. RCA intended it as a *cheap* way to connect a TV tuner to the rest of the TV. So it would be touched once, maybe 2 or 3 times in the TV's total life.

Being *cheap*, it got adopted into many other chores. It often sucks, at first or after a while.

Do it if you want to. I've had large systems of mostly RCA run reliable. But I was very fussy about what cables I used (by feel and experience, not by price).

[pickdropper]

Yeah, RCA aren't the best quality.  Like everybody else said, I'd probably stick with 1/4" sockets.

Although I must admit that I still occasionally consider doing a 1590a pedalboard with BNC connections.

[tubegeek]

The only real reasons to use them are price and size - you can certainly fit a larger number of them into a given space than 1/4" and they are especially smaller in the depth dimension. But not by much on the other two dimensions.

[Mike Z]

The thinking behind using rca was smaller less space pemanant mount on a pedal board switching unit
more jacks would fit an enclosure you could even stack them
I wanted to build a box with about 3 or 4 switches to switch pedals in and out of the chain and maybe
A/B an overdrive & distortion or bypass everything
thats a lot of jacks on the side of one box switchcraft rca look to be half the cost of 1/4 90s and half the size
just a thought and I'm open to any ideas thanks to any replys

[alparent]

If size maters. You could always use 1/8" plugs.
Make you custom cables.  Also get yourself a couple of 1/8 to 1/4 adapters.
If one of your custom cables ever fail you, you can use a standard guitar cable with and adaptor to get you going again.

[GGBB]

The thinking behind using rca was smaller less space pemanant mount on a pedal board switching unit
more jacks would fit an enclosure you could even stack them
I wanted to build a box with about 3 or 4 switches to switch pedals in and out of the chain and maybe
A/B an overdrive & distortion or bypass everything
thats a lot of jacks on the side of one box switchcraft rca look to be half the cost of 1/4 90s and half the size
just a thought and I'm open to any ideas thanks to any replys

You could do his with stereo jacks and insert (Y) cables.  That way you'd only need one jack for both send and return instead of two - space and cost saving.

Also, there are 1/4" closed jacks from Switchcraft and Neutrik that are a little more compact than the typical open-frame ones common to DIY.  Neutrik even has "slim" style jacks and "stacked" jack pairs, although they are PCB mount.

[tubegeek]

If size matters. You could always use 1/8" plugs.

Not a big fan. They seem REALLY unreliable compared to other types.

[Jazznoise]

If size is really an issue, mini-bantam are good.

Though I have to say I hate making up bantam leads with a passion.

[R.G.]

Just as commentary: Bell Labs - back when there was a Bell Labs; back when there was a Bell Telephone - put a lot of thought into the design of the 1/4" phone jack.

That's because it was the primary way of switching telephone calls. It was designed for rows and ranks of (almost exclusively female) operators to plug and unplug to connect every single phone call made. They were designed to be manually inserted and removed on a continuous basis, every so often round the clock for years.

Granted, we're about a century later than that design, and the quality of materials has gone up tremendously and down again, but it's still a good mechanical design for the purpose if it's built right.

[joegagan]

I was thinking the same thing , rg. Somewhere around here i have a 'world book' from 1917 that shows women on rollerskates whizzing around a big circular terminal to make connections. Nyc if i recall. Will post the photo when i find it.

[Paul Marossy]

Just as commentary: Bell Labs - back when there was a Bell Labs; back when there was a Bell Telephone - put a lot of thought into the design of the 1/4" phone jack.

That's because it was the primary way of switching telephone calls. It was designed for rows and ranks of (almost exclusively female) operators to plug and unplug to connect every single phone call made. They were designed to be manually inserted and removed on a continuous basis, every so often round the clock for years.

I've seen old military surplus equipment that also used 1/4" jacks.