The A182 switched multiples are quite a nice thing and offer more
flexibility and functionality than Y cables. Daisy-chaining several
of them together will give you many options and cover everything you
mention below. But for normal multiples like the A180, Y cables will
usually do an equivalent job without taking up space in your rack.
But multiples may have ergonomic advantages in certain situations.

Y cables are probably sold the most to people who want to share the
audio signal from their mp3 player, so they should be available from a
number of standard retailers who are not necessarily focused on
electronic music. As mentioned before, the American chain store Radio
Shack has several options in the 3.5mm realm. They are one of the few
massive chain stores I am glad to have around, as they stock
everything from cell phones to soldering irons.

On Aug 28, 2008, at 5:31 AM, Stu Grimshaw wrote:

> i think an adapter plug would be too much of a strain on the sockets,
> which are very susceptible to damage anyway.
>
> mostly i'm happy with multiples, but a y-cable would be better for
> those simple splits that we need so often.
>
> here is a better idea, the mega-multiple:
>
> an 8hp panel three columns (a,b and c) of eight sockets.
> row 1, columnn a is connected to 1b and 1c, and is also normalled to
> 2a.
> 2a is connected to 2b and 2c and is normalled to 3a etc.
> putting a plug into 2a disconnects it from 1a.
>
> you now have a very flexible multiple:
> eight times 1 into two.
> four times 1 into four
> two times 1 into eight
> one time 1 into 16
> and of course combinations of the above.
>
> this wins the award for the most unspectacular module suggestion of
> the year, but dieter, i promise you'll be knighted if you build it.
>
> cheers,
>
> stu
>
>
>



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