How do I separate redstone signals in minecraft?

Question

I am trying to create a row of buttons all right next to each other, but no matter what I try, I can't separate the redstone signals. If I press one button, all the cables turn on because they're next to each other. How do I separate the signals while moving downwards?

Answer 1

If you have multiple signals moving down in parallel, your best option is probably circuit C from http://www.minecraftwiki.net/wiki/Redstone_Circuits#Vertical_transmission. If this pattern is staggered 1 block apart on each successive line, adjacent lines should not interfere with each other. This circuit has the additional advantage that the signal can be extracted at any height.

Answer 2

You need to use a Redstone Repeater. The redstone repeater acts like a diode, allowing signals to travel in one direction and isolated from signals to the left or right (or above and below) of the repeater.