Need dual phono input switch thingy

[Nacimroc]

I'm building a jukebox and want to have a 3.5mm jack input on the rear going directly to the amp as well as the PC inside. The PC inside will also be connected to the same inputs on the amp.

I want something to be able to switch between them. Its basically so I can connect my phone to play music from directly to amp and then be able to switch back to the PC input. All I can find when I google it is then twin phono connectors. These wont work as they allow both inputs at the same time. I was thinking of a 3 way toggle switch maybe?

Thanks

[drventure]

Haven't seen any kind of audio switch like that but are you sure you need it?

One possibility might be to connect phone output to PC input, (say the mike or line in), and then route PC output to amp. And use the PC to do the switching.

another would be to craft up a mixing adapter like I did here.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=88515.msg1049770#msg1049770

Technically, you COULD play output from the phone and pc at the same time and they'd get mixed and sound terrible, but as long as only one plays ata  time, no need for a switch.

[AlienInferno]

Could you do something like what PC speaker headphone jacks have.  You know when you plug the headphones in the sound from the speakers stops and goes to the headphones.  Not sure how but you might be able to wire up the two sources like that as well.  Just a thought.

[Nacimroc]

I think that mixing thing just mixes 2 inputs together? Whereas I want to have 2 completely seperate ones.  The way a PC switches speakers off when headphone plugged in is exactly what I'm after but I think maybe the motherboard/software does that and not a standalone circuit ?

I was thinking about getting a 2 way toggle switch maybe? Would there be grounding issues if I did etc ?  I can't believe there isn't something simple already made for this on the interweb. I can watch a video of a kitten riding a turtle, but google can't find me a phono splitter. 

[AlienInferno]

They make a closed-circuit TRS headphone jack.  That's how most speaker/headphone combinations work.

Saw this description of how they work on this site: http://gilmore2.chem.northwestern.edu/faqs.htm.

How do I wire a headphone plug or jack?



The diagram above illustrates how to wire a standard stereo headphone plug. The tip is the left channel, the ring is the right channel, and the sleeve is the ground. Use an ohmmeter or continuity tester to determine the channel designations of the solder logs. With a headphone jack, insert a headphone plug with known wiring scheme and use an ohmmeter or continuity tester to match the jack connections to the plug. Note: Headphone jacks are sold in open-circuit and closed-circuit versions. The open-circuit jack is general purpose and has 3 pins for the left and right channels and ground. The closed-circuit jack has extra connections for an external circuit, such as a speaker which is disconnected when a plug is inserted.

Looks like you could have the PC outputs running to the amp as the normally closed circuit and have it so that when the plug is inserted it opens that circuit (disconnectig the pc outputs) allowing whatever is plugged into it to become the new sound source.

[Nacimroc]

Bingo!! Thanks for that! I had a quick look and found this :  http://www.pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=6007&Category_Code=JAC

Its a mechanical switch so when jack is inserted it moves contacts to other cable. I presume this is similar to what you described.  I just got to figure out how mount that into 6 or 12mm ply now. 

For anyone else who stumbles upon this thread the term to google is   "switching jack"

[drventure]

Good to know!

It's funny. Half the time, I end up in this same situation, i know what I need and I know someone makes them, but I have no idea what the "industry term" for it is!

[AlienInferno]

Bingo!! Thanks for that! I had a quick look and found this :  http://www.pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=6007&Category_Code=JAC

Its a mechanical switch so when jack is inserted it moves contacts to other cable. I presume this is similar to what you described.  I just got to figure out how mount that into 6 or 12mm ply now. 

For anyone else who stumbles upon this thread the term to google is   "switching jack"

That does seem like it would work.  Not sure though.  It seems cheap enough it couldn't hurt to try though.  Also judging from the name of the site (pedal parts plus) that jack is probably for a 1/4" plug as it's used more for the guitar/audio/amp side of things.  I may be wrong on that but I think most of the plugs for mp3 players/phones/etc are 1/8" plugs. 

I did find this one one Radio Shack's site.  It's closed-circuit and accepts 1/8" plugs.  It's made to mount on a panel so that might make it easier to mount on your juke.  You can probably find the one's made to mount to a board slightly cheaper.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103451&CAWELAID=107594627

[Nacimroc]

Thats ideal for what I need. Only problem I have is finding something similar that will ship to Ireland. (radioshack dont)

Think I'm going to have to go with this: http://ie.farnell.com/schurter/4802-2300/socket-3-5mm-jack-panel-3pole/dp/143336 and just mount it to a strip of metal on the inside of the wood. Then fix metal to timber and cut a hole for jack. Won't look great but no choice.

Thanks again for help!