Patch cable

The term "patch" came from early use in telephony and radio studios, where extra equipment kept on standby could be temporarily substituted for failed devices.

Analog music synthesizers typically use patch cables to interconnect functional sections, such as oscillators, filters, etc.

[1] They can be as short as 3 inches (76 mm), to connect stacked components or route signals through a patch panel, or between 6 and 50 metres (20 and 164 ft) for snake cables.

As length increases, the cables are thicker or more shielded, or both, to prevent signal loss (attenuation) and the introduction of unwanted radio frequencies and hum (electromagnetic interference).

Musicians playing electric or electronic instruments often use longer cables (from 10 to 20 feet) between their instrument and their amplifier, and then use shorter patch cords (from a few inches to one or two feet long) to connect chains of effects devices, "stomp box" pedals, or other signal processors.

DJs using record players connect their turntables to mixers or PA systems with stereo RCA connectors.

Music venues, concert halls, and recording studios also use a thicker, hose-like cord called a snake cable (or a "snake"), which consists of a bundle of many individual cables with patch panels at either end so that audio gear can be connected.