Patchbay configurations and options

Best patchbays for home studio recording now lets take a look at some patch bays that we recommend. Patchbay is a scuttlebutt client designed to be easy to modify and extend. It allows you to easily patch the outputs of one piece to the inputs of another. The ppi series standard size panelsfeature a solid aluminum faceplate backed by a molded abs jack insert. The neutrik looked interesting because of it multiple grounding options for each channel, but its unclear how durable it would be if the jacks are not really connected to the chassis since you can change configurations by pulling the. A fullnormal configuration means each output goes through the corresponding input directly below it without the use of a patch cable on the front.

It works as an 8x8 midi interface, allowing you to map real physical or virtual midi ports to its internal inputs and outputs. That flow is then broken if a patch cable is inserted into either the top or bottom jack. The important thing to know is that whenever you have an input selected as a port object listed in the port maps objects it will by default add it to each output so if you want a bunch of outs mapped to various ins, then you need to manually remove the input. Design beautiful and accurate patchbay systems within minutes using the new and improved patchcad 2. Sep 09, 2002 stephen, the term normaled is used in reference to patchbays jackfields. We encourage you to download a full version of the software free of charge. So if you go from your preamp to the patchbay, then to the converter, you would take the top plug and send that to the in on your comp take the out from the comp. Once you learn the basics of how the patchbay integrates into your studio setup, you can get creative with how you route your audio. Patchbays not only save time and headaches, they allow you to easily perform a number of mix tricks that would take serious headscratching otherwise. Are you setting up a new studio, building a studio for the first time or a pro that normally doesnt delve into the techy side of things. The vpp series video patchbays offer a wide variety of options for video patching. Redco r196d25pg db25 96pt tt patchbayive had two of these for years and they work very well. Panels have silkscreened port indicators on the rear of the panel to quickly identify jack ports, and adcs exclusive snapover designation system.

Most modern patchbays use tiny telephone tt, or bantam connectors on the front. Behringer px3000 patchbay labels i created a simple microsoft word template that i use to print out neat labels for the behringer px3000 patchbay. You set up the back of your patchbay to configure your studios default signal paths, the way you. This is the type of patchbay that most professional recording studios, television stations, and post production facilities employ. Some patchbays are specially created for routing digital electrical signals, optical signals, and midi signals.

When you plug something into the top and or bottom, the signal is interrupted. Catia catia is a jack patchbay, with some neat features like a2j bridge support and jack transport. Our audio patch panelsare the surest way to clean up that live or studio rig. Adc audio patchbays feature the patented qcp insulation displacement system that streamlines cable termination and provides a gastight electrical connection.

Another patchbay that is set up just like the first one, but this one gets its inputs from your tape returns ad converter outputs, and are sent to the line inputs of your console. Trs, tt, xlr, or even rca or ts depending on setups. When you plug something into the top andor bottom, the signal is interrupted. Each channel has 8 different input and output options allowing me to tap the signal path at every stage. Catarina is a patchbay test app, created while the patchcanvas module was being developed. Types of patchbays there are three standard types of audio patchbays. The sd series is perfect for serial digital, with a bandwidth from dc to 1. The patchbay handles grounding on a perjack basis, and professional patchbays will give you a few options on how this is done. Feagle vice president of technology thane international, ca. In a full normal configuration, the audio signal is flowing from the output top jack to the input bottom jack by default, without any patch cable plug into either jack. Connect each submaster bus output on the mixer to a rearpanel input on a patchbay position.

Many of the more inexpensive 14 patchbays available on the market today do not facilitate all of the normal configurations. They are a trs cable with a self cleaning self shorting military spec design. Patchbays made with rca connectors can not handle balanced audio, and therefore arent really a good option if you have even one piece of balanced gear like a microphone preamp. Usually they can only be set up to preform half normals or no normals. At first, knowing how to use a patchbay seems like it would require a textbook, a doctorate in electrical engineering, an iq of 300, and some magical incantations. Occasionally youll see an xlr patchbay or one for multipin connectors such as the db25, but those are often custombuilt for special purposes. A patchbay is great for tidying your outputs and inputs and bringing them right to the front, where you can easily reach them. A patchbay is a central audio connection area for all the gear in a studio that. Patchbays while not necessarily the heart of your studio, a good patchbay can certainly be the blood vessels, and you most definitely dont want them getting clogged. Otherwise, youre routing assignments and midi configurations will all be messed up. The pro level and certainly most configurable type of patchbay is the tt bay. Each patch point stays independent and isolated from other channels. The patchbay or patch panel that can be supplied with the audient asp8024he console is, to say the least full featured.

In this video i go a bit more in depth on what that. Options include multiple normalling configurations, pretinned and offset solder lugs, cable tie bar, changeable designation strips, and heavy duty 14 long frame jacks. A patchbay jackfield that is correctly set up will. The template will not fit the px2000 patchbay, the spacing of the connectors is different. It is a way of setting the patchbay up where the signal from one row of jacks, for example the top row, is passed to bottom row of jacks or vice versa. The hd series exceeds smpte 292m and smpte 424m specifications for high definition video signaling, covering a bandwidth range from dc to 3. Simply put, we have assembled a variety of audio patch panelsto meet most needs. Configure those positions on the patchbay as halfnormal. If you are mixing entirely inside a computer, then you dont necessarily need this patchbay, you would just need to take the stereo output of the daw and put those into a stereo monitoring input of the console master section. Redco r196d25pg db25 96pt tt patchbay ive had two of these for years and they work very well. Another possibility is a half normal configuration. Patchbay, adda converters setup explained interfacing.

That way when nothing is plugged in, the signal will pass thru the patchbay like nothing is there. Opinion patchbays and how i use them what do you do. Before connecting your gear in the back of the patchbay, use some white tape and label. If a customized patch bay is not an option, these prewired patch bays are a great choice.

In the same way, it brings you into alignment with other professionals and also keeps you organized. Connect the rearpanel outputs of those positions of the patchbay to the track inputs on the multitrack recorder. Setting up a patchbay in your home studio by tweakheadz lab. The mic tie lines are plugged into the top row in the back of the patchbay, which, because this patch bay is halfnormalled, automatically get sent to the row below. They handle both input and output for each channel, which makes 48 points or connections. Best patchbay for home studio recording top 5 picks.

Audio accessories patchbay pinouts dont necessarily. In my helix rack video i mentioned having my helix connections going through my patchbay. Midi patchbay is quite a simple, yet powerful midi mergersplitterfilter. Before getting too deep into the nittygritty of patchbay configuration, ill concede that there. These patch bays use the highest quality frame type jacks with adcs crossbar selfcleaning jacks. Then fullfledged dynamic and static automation functions, extensive synchronization options and midi implementation, a comprehensive internal io patchbay, full digital compatibility and functionality. Alternative patchbay options its also worth mentioning those patch panels that consist of jacks on the front wired to jacks on the rear. These panels may be used with prewired looms to form simple jackfields without resorting to the soldering iron, and are therefore quite popular. Whether labelling a patchbay, a termination panel or designing a whole studio from scratch, patchcad has the right tools to get the job done quickly and efficiently. The most common use of music studio patch bays in home recording studios is for inserting dynamic processors compressors, gates, expanders, etc. Looking for virtual midi patchbay for windows home. In addition to providing you with more patch points, they also give you more configuration options via the rear solder points they are typically fitted with.

Patchcad is now available in standard and pro versions. Originally designed to meet military specifications, this patchbay is as rugged and versatile as they come. Mar 05, 2012 patchbay configuration issue 661837 mar 5, 2012 7. It was a necessity for me because i use a great river mixmaster 20 and the connections are on 7 db25s. Couple this will access to the tape io path, the monitoring, auxiliaries and external speaker io and you have the. Its also worth mentioning those patch panels that consist of jacks on the front wired to jacks on the rear. Nov 05, 2006 behringer px3000 patchbay labels i created a simple microsoft word template that i use to print out neat labels for the behringer px3000 patchbay. But really, once you know the fundamental rules and conventions the process is as easy as running cables from one piece of gear to the next. With all those options, which one should you choose.

These are all basically called serial processors because they are inline with the original signal, they change the actual signal in the channel, as opposed to parallel. Audio accessories patchbay pinouts dont necessarily represent other manufacturers. The key to success with this type of panel is the word simple. To access the captcha module configuration page go to adminusercaptcha in. Below are a few helpful tips to speed up your workflow and make the process less stressful. Although, some patchbays use 14 trs or even xlr connectors. Denormalled configuration steps to renormalize, repeat steps. Knowing how to plan your patchbay is essential to ensuring that your studio is wired in a logical manner. Patchbay hosa versus neutrik discussion in recordinglive sound started by pwmcmaho, jan 23, 2009. Blue cats patchwork is a universal plugins patchbay and multi fx that can host up to 64 vst, vst3, audio unit or builtin plugins into any digital audio workstation daw in a single instance, with both serial and parallel routing options. It allows the user to experiment with the patchbay, without using alsa, jack or ladish.

The first way to wrangle in all of the possibilities is to setup your patchbay in a manner that greatly reduces your options. The neutrik looked interesting because of it multiple grounding options for each channel, but its unclear how durable it would be if the jacks are not really connected to the chassis since you can change configurations by pulling the individual pcb boards out and flipping. Blue cats patchwork fully configurable plugins chainer. Now go to you local fedex kinkos or any good office supply in your area and get 1 sheet of 10pound glossywhite that is 17 long. A compliment of feedthru andor solder point connectors that feature xlr, 14 or a combo of both. A patchbay is a hardware device that features ins and outs for analog audio gear. Patchbays are available with longframe or bantam jacks in a variety of termination configurations.

Increase your creative options with flexible signal paths. One patch bay needs to be halfnormalled for the studio tie lines. They are configured in 2x24, 2x48 and occasionally other configurations but 2x48 is the most common. A patchbay is a central audio connection area for all the gear in a studio that allows any connection to or from equipment to be made in one location with a standardized cable and connector. Please note that the mating connector for use with the adat is the edac 56pin male with. This allows the audio or video signal to passthrough the patchbay without using a patch cable.

The heart of every great studio beats with flexible routing. No normals straight thru is when the toprow of patch points jacks is not connected to the bottomrow patch points. We carry patchbays in both balanced and unbalanced configurations. Please note that the mating connector for use with the adat is the edac 56pin male with actuating screw. This document explains all options on the captcha general settings configuration page of the captcha module.

The choice is usually dictated by your budget, your wiring skill and patience, and how much you value your time. Held into rack by 4 screws included, the removable front panel has 2 separate screws to make changing configurations fast and easy. It uses the same database as patchwork and patchfoo, so you can easily take it for a spin with your existing identity patchbay was created by dominic tarr towards the end of the life of patchwork v1. So always double check what mode youre in, because it can get confusing. Where to buy xlr patch panel audio patch panel markertek. You can map any number of physical inputs to an output. If you are working with a singlespace 96 point patchbay you will want to get a label maker that prints very thin labels. First remove your stock label holders and set them aside. That being said, it also obviously has many options, and is such a high class midi router. Due to the wide variety of possible adat patchbay configurations, the purchaser must specify which jack will be wired to each channel on the connector when ordering. All patch points on the patchbay are isolated, and individual ground terminals are brought up on the rear of the patchbay.