How to Make a 3.5mm Audio Switch

Intro: How to Make a 3.5mm Audio Switch

Tired of having to get off from bed to unplug your ps3 audio wire from the speaker and then getting on all fours so you can try to find your computer audio wire and finally plugging it back into your speaker? Try these easy steps to make a switch that costs less then $15.00. It'll take no more than 45 minutes from start to finish.

STEP 1:

The switch has to be a 3PDT switch. If you take a look at it behind the switch there should be 9 terminals. When it's all said and done there should be 9 wires attached to the switch. Got it? Good. This is important.

Parts:
Project enclosure 3x2x1 (radio shack)
3PDT switch (make sure the nut comes with it)
(3) 3.5mm mount jack (radio shack)
drill
1/4 or 5/16 drill bit; I don't remember. :/ I recommend to use the 1/4 first. ;) 
screwdriver
soldering iron
speaker wire

STEP 2:

For those of you out there with a voltmeter you may want to meter it out before you begin to solder. This will guarantee yourself which terminals provide a closed circuit. In other words you'll touch the terminal located in the center with one lead and with the other lead touch either the terminal to the right or the left. The voltmeter should elicit an audible beep so what does this really mean?

STEP 3:

This means the middle column will be labeled output. This is where I plug in my speaker wire. The ps3 and the computer in conjunction with a set of brand new Audioengine A5's make use of this 3.5mm switch.

STEP 4:

Every part but the 3PDT switch I purchased from radio shack. I found the 3PDT switch for $3.00 at a local electronic store. From start to finish this took me about 45 minutes and total cost was no more than $15.00. Ask friends if they have a soldering tool to borrow.

The mount jack I bought at radio shack contains three terminals and if the package label reads phone jack then this is okay. The mount jack I bought at radio shack was labeled phone jack and it works just fine. A 3.5mm audio connecter should have three rings in the plug namely tip, ring and sleeve. Three rings and three terminals. Tip: ground. Ring: audio right. Sleeve: audio left. 

STEP 5:

Please don't pay $40.00 for a switch when you can save a lot of money by making one yourself. Set aside an hour or two on a weekend and just do it. I say an hour or two because you actually have to go out and purchase the parts. It's instant gratification when you're finished making the switch, connecting it to your speakers or whatever, and figuring out that it works. This is a simple project just about anyone can do. You just have to put in a little effort. 

STEP 6:

Notice the first row of the switch is connected to separate jacks but for each jack terminal they're the same. This is what I want to emphasize when it comes to making one of these things. Relatedly the terminal soldered from the switch to the mount jack is arbitrary, however, this specific schematic shown is a working variant. If you do follow these instructions vehemently none other than what is shown you have a good chance making this thing work granted everything else is done correctly. I'll take the extra time to make another picture with color so it would be easier to translate what goes where if I get a lot of traffic. I'll make the picture better if a lot of people get confused looking at this picture. Good luck.

Comments

[wootowl]

What if you want to switch both audio out and audio in (microphone)? What kind of switch would you use and how would you wire it up? Assuming you have 6 total wires, 2 for the headphones+microphone, 2 each for the 2 devices you want to switch between.

[Nemesis1598]

Would it work to have the input in the middle and then have two outputs? I would assume it would but I'm not completely sure.

[ToMoSK1]

yes i did it just now for my arcade table left side for speakers right side for headphones :) works great!

[eyd84]

That would work. For example have one output for speakers and the other output headphones.

[ToMoSK1]

Anyone has any idea why only left speakers work for me? Please help :/

[KaisoArt]

I would like to build something like this, but I have seen complaints about switch boxes adding noise to output because of poor or no shielding. Any suggestion/ideas on this for this build?

[GonnaMessThisUp]

I'd like to build a similar device, but I have the opposite need: I have one audio signal and I'd like to send it to 1 of 2 outputs (speakers and headphones). Can I use these parts to create such a device?

[Vspec]

I just built this the other day, I accidentally built a "mono" version of it though instead of stereo.

everybody, make sure you buy the jacks that have three prongs, not two.


mine still works but on my 5.1, one of my front speakers doesn't work, but a y cable fixed that.

also, great instructable eyd84, i've been needing one of these for awhile.

[eyd84]

Thanks. Happy to see people getting some use out of the effort.

[TrailerWorld]

How will be the connection if I use the stereo headphones jack. please send me the schematics

[ryanf36]

Just a note for anyone about to make one, make sure you don't do what I initially did any buy some mono jack mounts on eBay! Make sure your purchases are stereo versions. Works perfectly now I'm using the right jack mounts!

[TrailerWorld]

Bro can you send me the schematics of your work. I have 2.1 speaker and don't know how to do the connection with stereo plug so please help.

[beatekkie]

Thanks and great job!

I couldn't find a 3PDT switch so I ended up using 2x DPDT switches instead. The extra switch was for the "ground" (to avoid humming noise by having a common ground). The downside is I have to flip both switches for it to work properly.

I've thinking about using the 2nd switch for the right channel instead, to go from mono to stereo and to have left and ground together in one switch. Anyway, feedback would be appreciated and welcome from anybody.

Thanks again.

[TrailerWorld]

I am using 2.1 speaker, so if use mono headphone jack will it work.

[donia.andrei.1]

I made something similar but with this connector https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/718145-REG/...

Switching inputs works good, but when I connect my 5.1 speakers I only get sound on the subwoofer and central speaker.

Any thoughts of what I did wrong?

Thanks!

[quansem.]

Hello,

5.1 audio carries with it 6 channels of audio (LF, RF, LR, RR, Centre, Sub), whereas this setup would only allow for 2-channel Stereo (L, R). Therefore, you would only get to choose 2 of the 6 channels to pass thru. Unfortunately this project would not work for 5.1.

[TrailerWorld]

Sir will it work for 2.1 if I use mono headphones jack

[jeffga]

I have a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle that has an Auxillary input - it is a 3.5mm headphone connector (male). I currently use this to plug in Ipods. However I just decided to add a XM radio and it must also be connected to the Auxillary input connector. Something like this would enable me to have both connected and simply toggle between the two (Ipod & XM radio). I am currently unable to make one of these devices but would pay someone for their time, materials and profit to build one for me. I know, I should do it myself but there are some valid reasons that I simply cannot. Contact me if you are interested. Thanks Have a nice Holiday season

[Talenjay]

Hello please excuse me, but i cannot seem to get it to work and i am not sure if i am iring correctly..please help me to make the proper connections from my picture. I tried to use the diagram above but the sound was not right. It switched fine, but the audio was not normal, like there was parts of the sound missing on either input. Like some 'channel' was not getting a signal. Any help with my diagram is most apprecitated everyone and i thank you.

Tal

[Talenjay]

Also to mention that i am wanting to switch INPUTS. Soo i have 2 inputs and i want to be able to switch between the two ddifferent inputs and output tommy wireless headset. Thanks and gope someone can help. Cheers. Tal