Breakout box construction

Rockonthis21 · Dec 13, 2005, 09:26 PM

I am going to attempt to construct a breakout box that sits on my desk that has 4 mono 1/4" inputs, connected to the AUX_IN on my audigy and audigy 2 cards. I also have live drives for both cards, but need more inputs. My question is when I solder the grounds, can I connect them all and ground to the breakout box and pin 2&3 , or do I need to run an individual ground wire from each 1/4" jack to each pin on the card? ( I would essentially be grounding pins 2&3 together on the card with the first method. Any thoughts/suggestions or warnings would be appreciated.

thomasabarnes · Dec 13, 2005, 10:13 PM

Sounds like a question TravelRec will love to jump all over.

Goodluck!

Maddogg6 · Dec 14, 2005, 02:25 AM

Well, a question like this makes me wonder if you know that the PINS on the AUD_EXT connector requir some A/D conversion. ?? - you cant just connect analog audio to it like that.

Rockonthis21 · Dec 14, 2005, 12:37 PM

The pins are not on the AUD_EXT, the live drive is plugged into those. I am talking about the AUX_IN, which is an ANALOG 4 pin input on the audigy and audigy II.

Maddogg6 · Dec 14, 2005, 06:49 PM

Ahh.. my bad - your right. Then YES - tie together grounds at the BOB jacks is ok. and preferred if using A SINGLE 2 conductor + gnd wire. (like the CD cables inside the PC going to the sound card)

In that case connecting the GNDs together at the BOB then the single point GND needed at the AUX-IN is nice and clean and preferred.. This is how I did it with a DB50XG.

If I were using 2 cables - like normal audio cable - I would tie the grounds together at the AUX-IN connection. and NOT at the BOB jacks.

TravelRec. · Dec 15, 2005, 10:18 AM

Wire each input socket independently with shielded cable to the cards and ground them only there. This means a star-like topology that gives you the best performance and crosstalk protection. Isolate the sockets on the breakout box one from each other. Be sure the cables are run as far as possible away from PSU or motherboard or other cards (fit them on the metal case).

Rockonthis21 · Dec 15, 2005, 12:43 PM

Thanks for the tips, I am glad I didn't have the time to start this project yet.

TravelRec. · Dec 16, 2005, 12:13 PM

No problem, start it later

but make it good

. Pictures of the finished box are welcome.

Dec 13, 2005, 09:26 PM	#1
Rockonthis21 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	Breakout box construction I am going to attempt to construct a breakout box that sits on my desk that has 4 mono 1/4" inputs, connected to the AUX_IN on my audigy and audigy 2 cards. I also have live drives for both cards, but need more inputs. My question is when I solder the grounds, can I connect them all and ground to the breakout box and pin 2&3 , or do I need to run an individual ground wire from each 1/4" jack to each pin on the card? ( I would essentially be grounding pins 2&3 together on the card with the first method. Any thoughts/suggestions or warnings would be appreciated.

Dec 13, 2005, 10:13 PM	#2
thomasabarnes Long Time ***** Friend Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: USA Posts: 1,375 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Sounds like a question TravelRec will love to jump all over. Goodluck! __________________ May a song always touch you in a positive way. SONAR X1D Expanded, Windows 7 Pro 64Bit, MOTU UltraLite MK3, 150 GB HDD, 250 GB HDD, 1 TB x2 HDD 7200 rpm My Music Production: Top 40, Contemporary Christian, Pop/Rock, Decent Rap, Inspirationals, and Children Songs

Dec 15, 2005, 10:18 AM	#6
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 0	Wire each input socket independently with shielded cable to the cards and ground them only there. This means a star-like topology that gives you the best performance and crosstalk protection. Isolate the sockets on the breakout box one from each other. Be sure the cables are run as far as possible away from PSU or motherboard or other cards (fit them on the metal case). __________________ Always take a look behind.

Dec 16, 2005, 12:13 PM	#8
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 0	No problem, start it later but make it good . Pictures of the finished box are welcome. __________________ Always take a look behind.

Dec 14, 2005, 02:25 AM	#3
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	Well, a question like this makes me wonder if you know that the PINS on the AUD_EXT connector requir some A/D conversion. ?? - you cant just connect analog audio to it like that.

Dec 14, 2005, 12:37 PM	Thread Starter #4
Rockonthis21 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	The pins are not on the AUD_EXT, the live drive is plugged into those. I am talking about the AUX_IN, which is an ANALOG 4 pin input on the audigy and audigy II.

Dec 14, 2005, 06:49 PM	#5
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	Ahh.. my bad - your right. Then YES - tie together grounds at the BOB jacks is ok. and preferred if using A SINGLE 2 conductor + gnd wire. (like the CD cables inside the PC going to the sound card) In that case connecting the GNDs together at the BOB then the single point GND needed at the AUX-IN is nice and clean and preferred.. This is how I did it with a DB50XG. If I were using 2 cables - like normal audio cable - I would tie the grounds together at the AUX-IN connection. and NOT at the BOB jacks.

Dec 15, 2005, 12:43 PM	Thread Starter #7
Rockonthis21 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the tips, I am glad I didn't have the time to start this project yet.