DIY TT/Bantam Cables

[StarTrucker]

How are y'all getting your TT jacks and cable? I assume nobody here is paying 10 bucks US for a cable that you need 48 or more of in some instances. What's the solution here?

 

[tgs]

If it's something I learned from switching from 6.3mm to bantam patches, it's that there's nothing cheap about it. Someone will probably want to shoot me but I've been using Hosa cables mostly and you get an 8-pack for like 50-60. So a bit cheaper than what you mentioned. I've also made some of my own TT but only for special connections (mainly TT to XLR). But it's definitely not a cheap workaround in any sense as the connectors are very expensive.

 

[NoisyIndividual]

Last time I investigated this, I also found the rewireable connectors very expensive.
And you need to be careful as some require additional tooling as well, which may or may not be obvious when you buy them.

Unless things have changed since then, pre-made moulded cables are way way cheaper, and you can cut them in half to make bantam to XLR converters.

Such is life.

 

[tgs]

Yeah that's another thing: TT connectors aren't the easiest ones to solder, can be quite time consuming.

 

[soapfoot]

I use these molded ones from eBay… multi-colored assortment with gold-plated connectors (not sure who makes them)

They’re the cheapest and probably low quality but they work fine

TT cables are the most annoying expensive thing almost no matter how you do it

 

[pucho812]

I roll my own. it's pretty easy over all.
I use canare cable, I'll have a part number when I get home. it's basically their quad cable with braided shield.
I also use redco ends which assemble exactly like a standard 1/4" switchcraft connection with a screw on boot.
I have made them for myself and my place, I have made them for clients. They all like the end results.

I can easily do a picture book PDF on how to do so if you are interested.

 

[johnsonic]

Guilty of using Hosas myself. More colors on the ends, cheaper than anything. I do have Mogamis for the longer patches but honestly don't hear a difference. Had a few Hosas die, but just chucked them and still wound up ahead.

If I were in a pro and not a project studio, I'd probably want the top notch stuff for reliability.

Also, since we're talking cables and TT and it's only slightly off-topic - I just just finished soldering 12 DB25s and wanted an 8 channel TT fanout from RCA, and another from XLR for my tape machines to patch bay. Really was over soldering at this point and found these guys: https://www.harpooncables.com/

Quality job, pretty inexpensive considering. The cable doesn't have the flex of a mogami, but I'll take it.

 

[kags]

I roll my own. it's pretty easy over all.
I use canare cable, I'll have a part number when I get home. it's basically their quad cable with braided shield.
I also use redco ends which assemble exactly like a standard 1/4" switchcraft connection with a screw on boot.
I have made them for myself and my place, I have made them for clients. They all like the end results.

I can easily do a picture book PDF on how to do so if you are interested.

+1. I do same as Pucho. Must be an LA thing. I’ve tried Hosa- about 20% were wired to invert polarity and all failed within a few weeks of regular use. That was 10 years ago, so maybe they’ve gotten better.

 

[StarTrucker]

So am I missing something when Samson TRS patch bays are 85 bucks on reverb? DIY TRS cables are dirt cheap. Got 5 switchcraft 9625 bays with my console purchase and wondering what the main reason is to go forward with TT besides it being "pro industry standard"

 

[pucho812]

So am I missing something when Samson TRS patch bays are 85 bucks on reverb? DIY TRS cables are dirt cheap. Got 5 switchcraft 9625 bays with my console purchase and wondering what the main reason is to go forward with TT besides it being "pro industry standard"

Simple, can get more connections in a 1ru if you are using TT.