The only problem with it is that it doesn't include audio. Fortunately, at least on the cabling side, audio is quite easy to break out and run to another switcher, and I certainly don't mind an extra button press or two. Since nobody seems to make a switcher exactly like what I need, however, I'm trying to decide on an acceptable alternative.
I do not actually need 32 audio inputs; 20 feels like a safe number, and even 16 would be good enough. Also, I don't need more than one output, since everything is going to a single amplifier.
Here are three possibilities I'm considering. If you have any thoughts or other ideas, please let me know.
1. Buy another pro-grade powered matrix switch
Pros: This would be a simple plug-and-play solution, and the sound quality would surely be nice.
Cons: Any powered switch with 16 or more inputs is probably going to cost a lot. Also, the added power consumption and heat generation is not insignificant.
2. Stack three 8 input / 1 output non-powered mechanical switches behind another mechanical switch I already have.
Pros: Not terribly expensive and consumes no electricity. 24 inputs would be very nice, too.
Cons: These cheap switches are notorious for poor construction. I'd feel stupid if one of them broke or if the sound quality deteriorated. (If anyone has one of these, I'd love to see the internals.)
3. Build my own
Pros: It would be a fun project, for one thing. The parts wouldn't be expensive as long as the final result doesn't have to be beautiful. More importantly, it would be a single non-powered box, the design of which I could control completely. I'm thinking that the main switch could be a 2-pole 24-throw rotary.
Cons: Time-consuming to make, not actually much cheaper than option #2, and hard to say whether I'd really pull it off without a hitch. Also, unless I pick up a few more tools, it would probably look very amateur indeed.
If you were in my shoes, what would you do?
Thanks, guys.
