This project is to clean up my 3.5mm (1/8") audio mess I have at my desk. I have a few different sources; eg computer, tv, laptop, phone; and I have a few different devices that I want to output the sound to (headphones, speakers in different positions). I don't want to keep hooking up all these different sound equipments, so I made a simple audio input/output switch box.
It will have 5x inputs, 5x outputs, and 2x 5 position 2 pole rotary switches. The idea is that I select one of the inputs (source) with one switch, then select an output (speakers) with the other switch.
Material List
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjJBDW7QOh-qr8-dOrjFuA1mhSFQRFqSX7zyS0M6yc3_lJOVXheUo6BbR4ie13NlKhA26u4X4Y_OGIATwyxW1lWcZI2m_lTwBGUMSFtzriYXCbtgds8SfaJiMaOpW7gEgAAbrUeT-8P1u/s640/IMAG0256.jpg)
Wire (I used some cheap stranded wire from Amazon)
10x 3.5mm audio jacks (digikey: CP5-43502PM-ND)
2x 5 position 2 pole rotary switches (digikey: CKN6046-ND)
Knobs (digikey: 226-4084-ND)
Enclosure (Amazon link)
Already had
Soldering Iron
Solder
Helping hand (optional)
Drill (or dremel)
The total cost of this project is around $70 with shipping and tax.
Step 1: Drill Holes
Drill 5 holes on the ends of the enclosure for the 3.5mm jacks and 2 holes on the top of the enclosure for the switches. I had to use the long sides of the box because the 3.5mm barrel jacks were going to be too close on the short end.
PICTURE
Step 2: Solder the jacks and switches together
Use a piece of tape as an alternative to a helping hand helping hand.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbMPjU_FvapFDt0awyYVK15NrwsksLA2A6UVcCWW3W3jEezP_8spzWUO-jeVnnBOFbTrF-6ezoWf93Jbr0NNHrDX8G0mPh8hP-zf4xDxKpoo2f4xZl8HL1GVrlrxv2PFv6i99wfNblzpH/s512/IMAG0273.jpg)
This takes a long time and a helping hand is useful.
The 3.5mm jacks have numbers on the back.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHBJP1s1pVrfo_-Vl3wvJDKoLXwhEDmRI8wOta1KuZcxyHdSog81HusQYIk82D0snKhjGDxHbSZ-c0v7rnM8hhpvDnUYMXvJDVrlWlrT3psfrrHcy3ANSsdSZdVjRrHwmRYg3ZnkTehoM/s320/jack_schem.png)
The schematic on Digikey for the switch says that the number 1 lead on the jack goes to 1 on the switch, and the #2 lead on the jack goes to position 6 on the switch. Then for the second jack, the first lead goes on 2, and the second goes to position 7 and so on.
Be careful of the middle leads on the switches. If you add too much solder they will have a chance to touch some of the other leads. I put some electrical tape around them just in case.
All of the jacks have to have a common ground. Solder all of the ground wires together.
Step 3: Test / Shove hydra in box
Test each jack and switch before assembling to save some potentially lost time.
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Try not to be too forceful in case the solder joints come off.
Enjoy organized audio input/output switcher box
Final Comments:
This is not audiophile grade. I was going more for practicality than looks.
Next one of these might be in a bigger enclosure with an amp :D
Good job.
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