From cdmaster@netcom.com Thu Dec 7 09:44:49 1995 7 Dec 95 12:44:42 +0500 5 Dec 95 20:40:34 +0500 Tue, 5 Dec 1995 19:52:36 -0500 (EST) ID ; Tue, 5 Dec 1995 19:50:00 -0500 (EST) id QAA02226; Tue, 5 Dec 1995 16:47:00 -0800 Date: Tue, 5 Dec 1995 16:46:59 -0800 (PST) From: MACHINE MEDIA Subject: Re: Of Plugs and Bays Cc: electronica+@andrew.cmu.edu > I have 5 Furman patch bays, and I think they're lame: very poor grabbing power, > no matter whether I insert a Switchcraft plug or one of the cheap asian models > that predominate in my studio. Perhaps I should have tagged this message: > "Cheap Asian Models: I'll Take Two", hmm? Does this mean my Neutrik's are European Super-Models?? :) > Whose patch bays are reasonable/decent? Anyone try the DBX or the ProCo? Then > again, one does see used switchcraft bays around once in a while.... OK, here goes, back in the day everything was Switchcraft. Now, everything pro is Neutrik. I've heard jokes that you can tell if an engineer is over 40 or not by the brand of connectors he orders. If you get really old school (where Pro-Co seems stuck with their patchbays, although their XLR cables have Neutrik ends -- don't ask) you have "standard" 1/4" phone plugs vs. "long frame" 1/4" phone plugs (I'm led to believe the US military and AT&T held different standards). Some guitar players swear buy the brass "military surplus" phone plugs. Anyhow, Neutrik XLR plugs are better (and shorter) than Switchcraft XLR plugs because of their improved strain relief. OTOH, Neutrik phone plugs are alot bulkier (but better) than Switchcraft plugs. The extra bulk of their TRS plugs is only an issue for project studios and synthheads like us, because most pro studios use TT (tiny telephone) patch bays. You can fit twice as many points on a TT bay than a TRS bay. If you are dealing with a large console (like some Neve which has ELCO connectors) you are going to end up with *alot* of patch points (as no sane person could imagine ELCO to whatever adapter cables), and therefore use TT because of space limitations. Neutrik sells slender TT patch cables to go with their TT bays, and their TT bays don't have jacks in the back but only leads out (so you can solder the them up to XLR, ELCO, or 1/4" connectors, or screw them onto barrier strips as needed). Anyway, most patch bays that are sold are just relabled bays made by someone else. My advice is that if you want TRS buy Re'an or Nuetrik, and if you want TT, buy Neutrik. Always buy Neutrik XLR connectors. You can get decent 1/4 connectors from several manufacturers. I have Neutriks on all of my custom TRS snakes and cables. They are very reliable, but they do have huge barrels. Regardless, buy your 1/4" connectors from a place where people drink beer and eat with forks :) As far as RCA connectors go, Neutrik's are, imho, sheer overkill -- they have a special spring loaded system that makes the ground the last conductor to disconnect and cost about $35!! For RCA I would get Switchcraft or even Canare connectors. PEACE OUT :) MARK