What are Patch Cords?
Patch cords are cables that connect electronic equipment for interoperability. A patch cord might be one of several types of cable, depending on the equipment connected. Patch cords let you “patch in,” whether it be to stereo systems, audio/visual centers or computer networks. Recording studios use patch cords to connect components like compressors, amplifiers, mixing boards, digital recorders and musical instruments. In this case, a patch cord might refer to a midi cable, RCA audio cables, digital audio cables or a DIN-style microphone cable, to name a few examples. Video recording also uses patch cords. Many people today use patch cords to transfer their favorite LP albums to CD ROM or hard disk. This can be done one of several ways, depending on the type of equipment. One way uses RCA patch cords to connect the turntable’s outgoing left and right channels to the audio-in jack on the computer’s sound card. This involves a special “Y” patch cord that accepts two male 1/4-inch (6.35mm)
Familiarity with patch cords is necessary to ensure optimal connections. Patch cords are short wires with a plug at each end, enabling a connection between a CI speech processor and the jack of the equipment the CI user is listening to. One patch cord manufacturer advises connecting the short end to the speech processor. Some cords have a mini plug (2.5 mm instead of 3.5 mm) for connecting to devices requiring the smaller plug. Consumers report varied experience with the quality and effectiveness of patch cords. Electrical requirements of devices vary, as do patch cord features. Therefore, consumers need to be aware that one cord may not work with everything. It is frustrating, for example, to want to patch into a cell phone without knowing whether the cord will work and to be unable to receive advice on this specialized issue from the local retail sales person. However, some vendors, such as Audex, sell patch cords that work with the phones they sell. Patch cord manufacturers may be a
