Help to Choose Rotary Switch for Audio Switch Box

[CdDvdFlash]

I have a project that is an audio switch box I have used an old PC parallel switch box which is 3 inputs with 1 output, I have stereo RCA jacks for the 3 inputs and 1 output and its working well using the original rotary switch but now I need to add another rotary switch for another 3 audio inputs and 1 output but I dont know what type of rotary switch to get. It needs to have the ability to select 1 of 3 positions for the three audio devices and then have 1 output and be able to handle left/right/ground for the stereo RCA.

[eccerr0r]

Re: Help to Choose Rotary Switch for Audio Switch Box

Are these line level or speaker level/watts?

Could start with Mouser PN 633-MRK403A if you're at line level, this is insufficient for speaker level. Not sure if one can get wafer switches anymore other than locating and reusing an old one.

I'd be concerned about crosstalk if these are line level signals, should be using shielded cables else careful routing of the wires...

[stj]

Re: Help to Choose Rotary Switch for Audio Switch Box

wafer switches are still made - probably not cheap though.
a few relays and a 12v psu may work better.

[CdDvdFlash]

Re: Help to Choose Rotary Switch for Audio Switch Box

Hi eccerrOr I think I need line level, the switch box at the moment has 3 in 1 out as:

3x MIDI sound modules going to the switch box then 1 out to a stereo mixer then main out from mixer to powered speakers, I need the new rotary switch to have:

3x PC's sound card out (line) to switch box then 1 out to stereo mixer then main out on mixer to powered speakers

Im using a switch box because I ran out of inputs on my mixer and if I bought a bigger mixer it was to large for the desk and a waste of money

[eccerr0r]

Re: Help to Choose Rotary Switch for Audio Switch Box

Build your own, though it looks like this is the only wafer needed, just need the shaft and panel mount assembly.
https://www.newark.com/nsf-controls/...eg/dp/09WX1055

[Curious.George]

Re: Help to Choose Rotary Switch for Audio Switch Box

Hi eccerrOr I think I need line level, the switch box at the moment has 3 in 1 out as:

3x MIDI sound modules going to the switch box then 1 out to a stereo mixer then main out from mixer to powered speakers, I need the new rotary switch to have:

3x PC's sound card out (line) to switch box then 1 out to stereo mixer then main out on mixer to powered speakers

Im using a switch box because I ran out of inputs on my mixer and if I bought a bigger mixer it was to large for the desk and a waste of money

What sort of signal quality do you NEED (vs. WANT)?

Some analog switches driven by <whatever> can act as a cheap mixer. The advantage being you can gang as many as you'd like just by suitably routing the control signals. And, the "control" can be as sophisticated as you'd like (e.g., driven by a level on a serial/parallel port, if need be)

You can also ensure that the "output" of the selector transitions cleanly (instead of dealing with a "pop")

[petehall347]

Re: Help to Choose Rotary Switch for Audio Switch Box

how come you are switching the grounds ?

[budm]

Re: Help to Choose Rotary Switch for Audio Switch Box

So you just want simple passive audio (line level) source selector, Newark sells those wafer switches so just choose what you need.

[CdDvdFlash]

Re: Help to Choose Rotary Switch for Audio Switch Box

Ok all things above considered ill look for a switch from your recommended sources, I switched the ground as I thought singularly would have less noise from the other two channels, if there is a pop I don't mind that because I always turn down the main out on the mixer to zero volume to safely switch between devices, this was said in the manual to not damage the mixer and speakers