Modular patch cables: lengths, types and colour coding
Patch cables connect the modules of a modular or semi-modular synth, carrying both audio and control voltages. We stock 28 of them from 7 brands, including .
The right connector for your format
Eurorack and most semi-modular desktop synths use 3.5 mm mono (TS) jacks. Some modular formats use banana plugs, which stack on top of each other and need no separate ground cable when the system shares a common ground. Check the sockets on your modules before ordering a large set, especially if you combine formats.
Lengths that keep a case tidy
A good mix of lengths makes a patch easier to read and less likely to snag. Short cables suit neighbouring modules, medium lengths cover a row, and long cables reach between rows or cases. Buying a mixed set first, then adding more of the lengths you reach for most, is a practical way to build a collection.
Colour coding
Many players use colours to make patches readable: one colour for audio, another for pitch CV, another for gates and triggers, another for modulation. It turns a dense patch into something you can follow and troubleshoot quickly.
Special types
Stackable patch cables have a socket on the back of each plug, so you can take two signals from one output without a multiple. Note that stacking splits outputs; feeding two outputs into one input does not mix them cleanly and can stress the modules. Flexible, thin cables are easier to route in dense systems, while sturdier cables last longer in a case that is repatched constantly.
Before you buy
Check whether your system uses 3.5 mm or banana jacks
Buy a mix of lengths for your case size
Pick colours for audio, pitch, gates and modulation
Consider stackable cables for splitting signals
Choose flexible cables for dense cases
Frequently asked questions
What patch cables do I need for Eurorack?
3.5 mm mono (TS) patch cables. A set in mixed lengths is the easiest place to start.
Can I use stereo 3.5 mm cables in Eurorack?
They usually work, but mono patch cables are the standard and avoid unexpected behaviour on some jacks.
How many patch cables do I need?
Most players need more than they expect: a starter set of a few dozen in mixed lengths covers a small case comfortably.
What lengths of patch cable are most useful?
Short and medium lengths get the most use in a single case; long cables are mainly for reaching between rows or separate cases.
Can I split a CV signal with a patch cable?
Yes, with a stackable cable or a passive multiple module. Splitting an output to several inputs is fine; joining outputs together is not.
Do semi-modular synths use the same patch cables?
Most desktop semi-modular synths use 3.5 mm patch cables, the same as Eurorack. Check the manual if yours uses another size.
