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Dust protection for unused input jacks

logdrum

logdrum

A person!
Jun 24, 2002
9,147
12,543
Walnut Creek CA/ABQ-SAF NM
#1
I live in a dusty area, - If you are not living in the alpine high elevations areas in NM, dust is going to be a problem than most states. I have been here for a while and it dawned on me that I should probably protect unused input jacks, My solution for now is painter's blue tape but I was wondering if there are other solutions like rubber or silicone plugs.

My AI amps for example the Clarus Series 4+ has 8 1/4 and 2 Speakons in the back and 3 XLRs and 2 1/4 up front

Are these effectively acting as vents. I also have amps and equipment that have ventilation grills and fans, so those are sucking up more dust . So maybe it is a moot point and I just have to control the dust intake and occasionally and carefully dust the insides. I actually just throw a painter's drop cloth over my DAW setup when I am not using it
 
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#6
Hot Rats said:
I have used foam ear plugs in the past.
Click to expand...

You can buy these stupid things at just about any large variety / grocery store: Invalid Link Removed

Roll 'em / compress between your hands, insert, and they'll seal things right-up. I use them on the abandoned 1/4" jacks on my el-cheapo Yorkville subs...I mod'd with Speakons. The 18's "chuff" enough thru the jacks to extinguish a lit match.

Strangely enough, they also fit the human ear canal and come in handy when the wife is on a profanity-laden tirade.

Riis
 
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#9
I believe you may find what you need at a local hardware or auto parts store.

1755538560855.png


V

Thread 'Cap Your Unused 1/4" Jacks!'

I just picked up an Ampeg SVT-410HE and like many of you, I really only use Speakon jacks if they are an option. The pair of 1/4" jacks on this cab are not sealed, which is ironic since the cab is otherwise sealed.

Anyway, I did some sleuthing at Lowe's and came across these automotive push rivets for GM cars measuring roughly 5/16" in diameter. They make a good tight seal and the head has some overhang so they would be easy enough to pry out on a gig if I needed to use the jacks in a pinch. They also are short and narrow enough that they do not touch the jack tip.

I hope this helps...
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1755538474518.png
 
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#11
If you're covering a hole that you never intend to use, the nylon plugs @Wasnex mentions are cheap and effective.

If they're something you're going to install and remove often, the Neutrik dummy plugs are better. They cost more but they provide a little handle so you don't have to try to dig them out with your fingernails. I have some unbranded ones that are either knockoff or maybe they were made by Neutrik, I don't remember -- either way, they've been covering some unused headphone jacks for a decade and I've had no problems with 'em.
 
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#12
The only amp I use a 1/4" cover for is my Mesa Buster.

1755540482577.png


Keep me from plugging into the wrong hole. The amp came to me with the plug. I initially removed it, until I accidently plug my bass into the FTSW hole.


I have accidently plugged into the wrong hole on my Trace Elliot V8 as well.

1755540691946.png

Rather than bothering to source a plug, I have resorted to being more present when I plug in the speaker. Seems to work fine.
 
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#14
S.O.P. is to use a 1/4" to 1/8" headphone adapter (you probably have a bunch of them kicking around already, and they are always available for pennies in thrift / junk stores).

Obviously, not recommended for use with active basses.
 
#15
darwin-bass said:
I have Neutrik plugs in the unused holes in my desktop mixer. Using them on an amp seems like a good idea.

Unless your amp has a fan that draws external dusty air through your amp. Then I feel like the plugs will be ... somewhat less effective ;)
Click to expand...
Never thought about it much until we did a gig on a ranch recently and they had us set up literally in the dirt.
 
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#16
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#19
Zooberwerx said:
You can buy these stupid things at just about any large variety / grocery store: Invalid Link Removed

Roll 'em / compress between your hands, insert, and they'll seal things right-up. I use them on the abandoned 1/4" jacks on my el-cheapo Yorkville subs...I mod'd with Speakons. The 18's "chuff" enough thru the jacks to extinguish a lit match.

Strangely enough, they also fit the human ear canal and come in handy when the wife is on a profanity-laden tirade.

Riis
Click to expand...
I noticed this too when I bought a pair of Eden D112XLT years ago. Took me a few gigs and testing at home to understand what I was hearing. I'm really surprised that this isn't discussed more often. There was a significant and uncomfortable distortion whistling out of the 1/4" jacks. No normal civilian would have noticed it, but it was very much there as part of my sound. My gut told me to throw some foamies in the jacks and it was wild how much it helped.

YX18 by chance?
Yorkville sure does love their 1/4". It makes sense, and it works for them with how the business does in Canada, but it was also kinda tough to overcome when I worked there, and one of my tasks was to try to get a foothold in the touring sound world with their VTC line array. I had numerous prospects ask me if it was going to have 1/4" connections...
 
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#20
Ben Clarke said:
I noticed this too when I bought a pair of Eden D112XLT years ago. Took me a few gigs and testing at home to understand what I was hearing. I'm really surprised that this isn't discussed more often. There was a significant and uncomfortable distortion whistling out of the 1/4" jacks. No normal civilian would have noticed it, but it was very much there as part of my sound. My gut told me to throw some foamies in the jacks and it was wild how much it helped.

YX18 by chance?
Yorkville sure does love their 1/4". It makes sense, and it works for them with how the business does in Canada, but it was also kinda tough to overcome when I worked there, and one of my tasks was to try to get a foothold in the touring sound world with their VTC line array. I had numerous prospects ask me if it was going to have 1/4" connections...
Click to expand...
Not sure as they're not within arms' reach nor can I find a pic online. It's a folded enclosure with the 18" facing downward @ ~45+ degrees. The previous owner found enough real estate to add Speakons to each.

Edit: it's the YS118. It's no longer listed in the Yorkville legacy directory. I did a google search and the first response was MY thread post harking back to 2008.

Riis
 
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