Patchbays - What Nobody Told You

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[kniferideaudio]

after years wrestling with every kind of patchbay (Bantam Long Frame, TT, DB25, Punch block, TRS) i will argue that the best solution is 1/4" TRS. Buying cables is the cheapest and building custom is easier, cheaper and faster than any other format. not needing any adapters to directly input gear into your bays is fantastic. On top of that, 1/4" bays are always less expensive than TT or DB25. TT cables are needlessly expensive and DB25 is a total hassle to repair or build. TRS connection is absolutely as solid or solid enough. Every other format is a waste of money UNLESS you just do not have space and have to use TT for space saving. Other than that... TRS is the best. Learn to make TRS cables and you will save 1000's of dollars on Patchbay and cables over the years. I'll never go back.

[fosiko]

Barry reminds of my instructor at local community college in 2008 when I was doing recording arts ; he brings all the cables to the class and you have to name them and its use all during the quizzes and exams ; nobody misses D-25 of course 😂

[lmaoanatorhilarious]

Tbh I switched to flock audio from my old patchbays and it’s honestly worth every last cent. When you rent your studio out to folks, they always take a minute to figure out the patch bay no matter where in the world. You don’t need patch cables or any of that. I hope other companies follow with this

[randyk]

Maybe I'm bucking the "norms", but I've always found that half-normal has such an inherent advantage over full-normal -- namely providing an extra path for the output signal -- that I practically never need full normal connections on my patchbay. If, on rare occasions I may need to physically break the input signal on a half-normaled connection. that signal can be effectively disabled or muted any number of ways, i.e. via the outboard gear or preamp, or the DAW (by not arming a track to record the preamp signal).. or in very rare instances simply by patching a "dummy" cable to that input jack. And, since my typical use case (when the effect isn't already normalled into the path) is patching a preamp output into an alternate outboard compressor then *back into* the original path, both the in/out points are broken by patch cords, anyway.

[bagoodale]

Terrific video! Thank you so much sir! Helped me tremendously

[GeorgeAmodei]

Flock Audio makes sense again for those who really need it but like you mention comes w/$$$. Other wise "SWITCHCRAFT" easier to get to the Switch Modes.

[alexanderstuartpetty]

I've switched over to flock... its good stuff!

[bennibadermusic]

Would you feed your mic signals in the patchbay, or how do you match mics and mic pres? And how would you handle it in a two room studio? Love your content 🫶🏽

[jadedsean]

Hi Barry great video but i have a question about normalling. You mentioned in your total mix fx video that you can send say for example a mic to a preamp and then say a compressor after that using TMfx's routing, do i then need to use patch cables as well? I have my gear setup in normalling mode.

[moorestreetfootscraytrucks]

Thanks for this very informative video Barry. 🙏 You rock 🤘

[braxal]

I was thinking can you not use Total Mix with RME as a patch bay?

[maddietourmaline]

Has anyone here used Ghielmetti multipin patch panels?

[niceride]

Are you going to make a review of Presonus Quantum HD 8?

[helmanfrow]

Love ya Barry, but the way you organize and explain concepts sometimes gives me conniptions.

[JorgeEgrejasFrancisco]

I like a lot your videos, Barry. But I feel this one was too long for what is at stake. I believe the whole concept can be explained in something like 5m and for the rest it would be useful to describe better the typical situations you could choose to opt for normal/half-normal/non-normal (like the hardware inserts issue that is not evident, at least for me). Of course this is only my personal opinion, that I express because I value your interventions very much. Cheers.

[copetill]

I've had it with DB25 Patchbays. They are overpriced & the 25 pin connector is adding another layer of contact. Solder type patch bays are dirt cheap on the used market.