Patch cords are cables that connect electronic equipment for interoperability. A patch cord might be one of several types of cable, depending on the equipment connected. Patch cords let you "patch in," whether it be to stereo systems, audio/visual centers or computer networks.

Recording studios use patch cords to connect components like compressors, amplifiers, mixing boards, digital recorders and musical instruments. In this case, a patch cord might refer to a midi cable, RCA audio cables, digital audio cables or a DIN-style microphone cable, to name a few examples. Video recording also uses patch cords.

Many people today use patch cords to transfer their favorite LP albums to CD ROM or hard disk. This can be done one of several ways, depending on the type of equipment. One way uses RCA patch cords to connect the turntable's outgoing left and right channels to the audio-in jack on the computer's sound card. This involves a special "Y" patch cord that accepts two male 1/4-inch (6.35mm) RCA cables, and runs the two signals into a single tail with a stereo male 1/8-inch (3.175mm) plug.

To see a veritable jungle of patch cords, glance behind any home theater system. Most of these patch cords are composite audio/video cables, component video cables or digital, optical or HDMI cables. Some patch cords are actually three or more cables ribboned or wrapped into a single cable. This style cuts down the tangle.

Wired computer networks use coaxial twisted pair Ethernet patch cords. Ethernet patch cords feature RJ-45 connectors and often come in blue, yellow or other colors. In a wired network, Ethernet patch cords run from the network switch or hub to each computer on the network.

As a general rule, electronic signals degrade with distance, so regardless of the application, shorter cables are more desirable when possible. When longer patch cords are necessary, quality wiring and good shielding becomes even more relevant. However, these factors are important in standard-length patch cords as well. Shielding protects the signal from surrounding electronic interference that could otherwise degrade output, while quality wiring is of the correct gauge and free of physical and structural imperfections or impurities.

Quality connectors can also make a difference when it comes to performance, but hype can outweigh real-world difference and overpriced patch cords are not uncommon. If a good cable is what you need, buy the cable and not the packaging. Often the "extras" on expensive patch cords amount to multicolored plastic hardware that does nothing for performance, while a humbler-looking cable with the same specs at half the price will perform equally well. Patch cords are available everywhere electronics are sold. They can also be found at music stores, home improvement centers, discount department stores, and from a variety of online vendors.