Introduction

We find that wiring to 1/4" jack sockets time consuming, the end result can look rather messy and be the cause of wiring mistakes. Our design aim with the M²Synth was to minimise panel wiring but PCB mounting all pots, switches, LEDs and sockets. The 1/4" jack sockets are deeper than all other controls so we find mounting them on a separate PCB with a header cable to the main PCB a good solution.

Even panels with multiple jack sockets like this panning mixer can use a combination of jack socket break-out PCBs

Advantages of using jack socket break-out PCBs:

• Time saving
• More reliable connections when compared to soldering wires direct to jack sockets
• Ground plane on 0V common across all sockets
• Neater more professional appearance - improves resale value
• Makes fault finding easier

Rather than using the header cable, you can always use equipment wire.

The boards are designed to fit our front panel component spacing so you will see references to pitch and whether it is in the 'x' or 'y' or both directions. 

Specific Information on the 4 x 3 way Compact Socket PCB. Board size: 79 x 66mm

7215-743 accommodates 12 of our 1/4" mono jack sockets on a horizontal pitch of 20mm and vertical pitch of 22mm. All sockets have their ground connections commoned together via a ground plane, each of the socket signal connections are wired to the solder pads at the top of the PCB. Socket 1 goes to pad 1 through to socket 12 goes to pad 12, pad 15 is the ground. You can solder in the required number of sockets to match the particular project front panel.

Note: Sockets are numbered 1-12 when viewed from the rear and count from bottom to top.

Soldering the sockets in place is straightforward when using MOTM back panel or the MU spacer panel.

'DIY' PCBs are blue in colour, purple PCBs are reserved for modules supplied by Soundtronics fully assembled.