music equipmentrecording
Michael Hahn·3. June 2021·9 minutes read
Gathering gear is one of the most fun parts of building aHome studio.
But the more music gear you amass, the harder it is to organize things and connect quickly.
That's why most studios invest in a patchbay from a certain size.
But what is a patch bay? How do they work and how do you know if one is worth using?
In this article, I summarize everything you need to know about patchbays.
Let's begin.
Our powerful AI-driven mastering engine listens to your song and delivers pristine, studio-quality music that's ready for release.Complete a track.
What is a patch bay?
A patchbay is a device that contains all of the input and output connections for the most important devices in your studio.
This allows you to easily make connections between devices without having to disassemble your entire setup to get to hard-to-reach sockets.
Patchbays allow you to change routings on the fly by simply repatching the cables on the front panel.
Should I use a patchbay?
Every home studio is unique. You must decide for yourself whether using a patchbay fits into your workflow.
Many studios work perfectly fine without a patchbay, and the added expense involved can be a deterrent for some producers.
However, patchbays can definitely save you time and effort during setup and teardown.
A patchbay is a device that contains all of the input and output connections for the most important devices in your studio.
The efficiency, flexibility and organization they offer is why most professional studios are built around a robust system of patchbays.
Consider a patchbay if:
- Your home studio is fixed and doesn't change often
- They have gear that connects in different ways for each session
- You feel like wasting time or energy manually patching cables
Patchbay Types and Connectors
Patchbays come in a variety of formats to address the different types of connectors and signals in your rig.
Use the front panel connectors to route signals with patch cords and connect additional inputs.
The type of cable used here determines what type of patch cord you use to make connections.
The patchbay connects to the rest of your gear via the connectors on the back panel. You must connect these to the I/O of each device, so it is important that the correct connector types are used.
Here is an overview of the most common patchbay types and connectors.
Front Panel Connections
XLR—XLR patchbays are often simple single-point systems with a female input on the front connecting directly to a male output on the back.
These slots are typically used to move individual XLR connections to a more convenient spot for direct patching.
¼" TRS—1/4″ TRS patchbays are the most common type used in home studios. TRS stands for Tip Ring Sleeve.
TRS cables can carry the balanced, line-level signals coming from the output of mic preamps, external devices, or hardware such as synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines.
Hot Tip:While it may sound tempting, it's not recommended to run different mics on a ¼-inch patchbay before they reach your mic preamp. The 48V phantom power required to operate some types of microphones can cause dangerous side effects if ¼-inch cables are accidentally removed. Avoid it altogether by using an XLR patchbay or by skipping the patchbay for your mics.
TT/Bantam—Bantam, or tiny phone cord, is a compact format that allows a single patchbay to accommodate up to 96 individual connection points.
These are the standard connectors found in professional studio patchbays.
Individual TT cables can be expensive. So unless you have a rack full of high-end outboards, this type of patch bay is probably overkill for a home studio.
Our powerful AI-driven mastering engine listens to your song and delivers pristine, studio-quality music that's ready for release.Complete a track.
Connections on the back
DB25 or DSUB—DB25 connectors look like the kind that plugs into an old-school desktop computer—because they are.
But when used for audio, these connectors can carry up to 8 balanced signals each. They are often used on TT patchbays to get the maximum number of connections in the smallest space.
To connect devices with 1/4" TRS or XLR inputs, you need DB25 snakes with the correct connector ends.
¼" TRS—Typical consumer patchbays use 1/4" TRS for input and output. This lowers costs and makes connectivity more universal for home studios.
EDAC—EDAC is another high-density connector type sometimes found on Pro-TT patchbays.
none—Pro Studio Patchbays are often configured for maximum flexibility. This means that large studios with complex systems often wire their own patchbays with solder joints.
Solder patchbays are sometimes cheaper, but can be tricky to install — even if you're handy with a soldering iron.
Normalized vs. semi-normalized patchbays
Patchbays come in three different styles depending on how you need to connect your gear.
The most common configurations are normalized, semi-normalized, and isolated.
Normalized and semi-normalized configurations provide signal connection between the top and bottom rows of the patchbay without the need for additional cabling.
Normalized and semi-normalized configurations provide signal connection between the top and bottom rows of the patchbay without the need for additional cabling.
This is helpful if your gear stays connected the same way most of the time.
For example, the line-level outputs of a set of mic preamps are typically normalized to the line-level inputs of the analog-to-digital converter in a professional studio setup.
If the engineer needs to insert audio effects likeEQorCompressionaftermic preamp, you can break the normal one by inserting a cable into the patchbay.
A normalized (or fully normalized) patchbay means that plugging a cable into either the top or bottom input will immediately break the connection.
Semi-normal means that plugging a cable into the top row of the patchbay will not break the signal connection, but plugging a cable into the bottom row will.
This may sound confusing, but most patchbays can be configured in either style, so don't worry if you're not ready to decide ahead of time.
How to use a patchbay
How you use your Studio patchbay depends on how you set it up. The location of each input and how it connects to the rest of your gear is up to you.
But in general, patchbays are set up with some general practices in mind.
Here are some general guidelines for using patchbays:
- Always patch from the top to the bottom of each row to connect outputs to inputs
- Never run XLR mic signals on a patchbay that is connected to other equipment
- Use Normals to keep devices connected when they are normally patched in the same place.
The 5 best patchbays for the home studio
With the background out of the way, here are some top home studio patchbay options:
Samson S-Patch Plus
A 48-point TRS patchbay is probably the most common format for home studio use. While there are many options on the market, build quality and features still matter.
TheSamson S-Patch Plusis well built and features a unique Normalling switch that lets you change the connection type on the fly.
Neutrik NYS-SPP-L1
The NeutrikNYS-SPP-L1is a budget-oriented option that offers 48 patch points for less than $99.
If you are looking for an inexpensive patchbay to get you started, this is an effective option.
ART P16
The ART P16 is a handy studio utility for moving XLR inputs. If your gear has rear mounted XLR inputs and redirection is a hassle, consider the P16 to bring your XLR access closer to hand.
ART TPatch
Sometimes even 48 patch points are too much. If you only need to reroute a handful of connections, you might consider a mini patchbay like the ART T patch.
Redco TT/DB25 96pt
Our powerful AI-driven mastering engine listens to your song and delivers pristine, studio-quality music that's ready for release.Complete a track.
If you have a serious home studio that requires powerful patching capabilities, the professional Redco TT/DB25 is an industry standard.
It has full Pro connectivity, so expect to spend a little more on snakes and TT cables to get things connected properly.
Patch in, patch out
A patchbay is a useful piece of equipment in a complicated studio.
It's not strictly necessary, but you might find that using one makes your workflow smoother.
In this case, you need to know how they work and which one is right for you.
But if you've made it through this article, you'll have everything you need to get started with patchbays.
Michael Hahn is an engineer and producer atAutolandand a member of the swirling indie rock trio Slight.
@Michael Hahn
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FAQs
How do studio patch bays work? ›
A patch bay allows you to create custom audio signal routings. You connect your microphones, outboard gear, and audio interface to the back of a patch bay, and then create custom processing chains by forming connections between jacks on the front of the patch bay, using patch bay cables.
What is the purpose of a patchbay? ›A patch bay is a hub that allows you to control your inputs and outputs from any device connected to it. In most cases, the patch bay comes in rack format, so it can be set in the same rack as the rest of the outboard gear in use.
Do patchbays degrade sound? ›Will a patchbay degrade my audio quality? Running signals through a passive patchbay should not compromise the signal quality, even with old units, and problems on XLR types are even rarer than on TRS ones.
What are the different types of Patchbay? ›Types of Patchbays
There are three standard types of audio patchbays: RCA, TT, and 1/4" TRS.
- Always patch from top to bottom of each row to connect outputs to inputs.
- Never run XLR mic signals on a patchbay connected to other gear.
- Use normals to keep gear connected if it's usually patched to the same place.
A patch panel uses a patch cord, a sort of jumper cable, to create each interconnection between the terminated patch panel and the network device, such as an Ethernet switch, router or firewall. The patch panel makes it easy to rearrange circuits and devices by moving the patch cables between network devices.
Do I need a patchbay in my studio? ›If you are using an analog console in your setup, the patch bay is a must to properly send signals from one place to another. On a large format recording console, you have the ability to use an Insert on the channel, which is commonly used to add processing such as a compressor or EQ.
Why are patch panels used instead of connecting directly to a switch )? ›More Flexibility
Patch panels give you flexibility and prevent the need to re-run cables or swap equipment places around if you need to change something or if something breaks. For example, punching down the cable to patch panels can allow mechanical relief to the comparatively expensive switch ports.
A fully-normalled patchbay configuration is used to create a connection between two devices while leaving a point of entry for interception from another device. Without an interception, two devices are connected directly, without the need for a third patch cable for each direct connection.
How do you wire a patchbay mult? ›To make a mult on a patchbay, simply connect the signal contacts of three or four jacks together. Use a long piece of tinned wire and connect the solder tabs on the back of the first jack to the same tabs on the next jack and so on. You can ignore the normals for this purpose.
Is it OK to connect XLR cables together? ›
However, there are a few pointers to bear in mind when linking multiple XLR cables... The more connection points in a cable run, the greater the risk of failure, disconnection, distortion or interference. So it's always best to run a single long cable if you can, rather than two or three short ones joined together.
Do patch bays pass phantom power? ›Patchbay Phantom Power - Using phantom power with your patchbay. All Bittree audio patchbays are capable of passing phantom power. The key is to understanding how ones ground structure in particular regarding the channel that phantom power is wanted to be present on.
What is a half normal patchbay? ›In a half normalled patchbay, inserting a patchcord into the bottom jack breaks the normal but inserting one in the top jack does not. Because of this, one output can be connected to two inputs in a 'Y' type fashion. Note: It's not always acceptable to normal two plugs in a pair together.
How do I reduce audio interface noise? ›- Lower the volume of the input signal coming into the interface.
- Add a gate/expander plugin to your track or bus so that it removes all unwanted noise before it is passed on to the audio interface.
- Set input trim levels properly in your DAW, so that you're not overloading the input.
Patch panels work by connecting cables through its RJ45 connectors and IDC terminal blocks to reach from one port to the next. Network and Ethernet cables will be connected to the back of the panel using the IDC termination blocks to reroute their signals to their new intended destination.
What are the two types of patch panel? ›Basically, according to the cables connected, there are two types of networking patch panel: Ethernet patch panel and fiber optic patch panel. Ethernet patch panel, also called copper patch panel, provides interconnections for Ethernet applications in local area network.
What type of wiring can be done in patch panel? ›Copper patch panels are designed for both shielded and unshielded copper cables like Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat7.
What size are Patchbay cables? ›1/4″ and TT (short for Tiny Telephone) are the common sizes for patchbay cables. While patch bays can be 1/4″ TRS, TT, XLR, or even RCA or TS depending on setups. You will usually find TT or 1/4″ Bantam Patch cables recording studios, as well as telephone, communication, and military installations.
Do patchbays add latency? ›In contrast, with a patchbay, an identical chain of outboard gear can be plugged together entirely in the analogue domain, so that only one set of converters is required for the start and end of that chain. Hence reduced latency!
What do you need for a studio setup? ›...
There are only 8 key pieces of equipment that you need for a successful home studio setup:
- Audio Interface.
- Microphone.
- Microphone Cable.
- Microphone Stand.
- Pop Shield.
- Headphones.
- Monitor Speakers.
- Acoustic Treatment.
Can I use a patch cable to connect to the Internet? ›
You can use a patch cable as an Ethernet cable. However, you will want to use patch cables for smaller distances. Also, since patch cables have connectors at both ends, you may find difficulty using them as an Ethernet cable due to Ethernet cables often terminating directly to a device interface.
What are the disadvantages of patch panel? ›There are really only minor disadvantages associated with patch panels. Creating a mess: Without the right patch cable management plan, you can end up with a messy nest of cables emerging from your patch panel. With the right strategy, however, your server room can be neater with the patch panel than without.
Do patch panels fail? ›In the structured cabling system, patch panel serves as an important tool for good cable management, which can help to avoid fiber optic losses and troubleshoot the connection. However, each of the links is a potential point of failure. In most cases, the trouble is typically found in the connection wiring.
How do you connect outboard gear to interface? ›- Connect the microphone or instrument to a preamplifier.
- Connect the LINE OUT(s) from the preamp to the LINE IN of the next module.
- Connect the output of the last module to a LINE IN on your mixer or interface.
First, lets make sure your outboard gear is connected properly. Connect Line Output 3 from your interface to the Line Input of your outboard gear. Then, connect the output of your outboard gear to Line input 3 of your interface. In Pro Tools go to Setup > I/O and make sure your Hardware Inserts are set up.
How do I connect my Patchbay? ›You plug in a patch cable and route it to the bottom row, which is the exact opposite of the top row. It is only for inputs on your gear. The signal flows into the cable, into a bottom front jack, and out of the bottom back jack and into an input in another piece of gear. The inputs are bottom only, front-to-back.
How do I connect my channel strip to my audio interface? ›Plug into a line level output on the channel strip and plug the other end of the cable into the audio interface insert plug. This will provide a direct signal path from the channel strip to the audio interface ADC and bypasses the audio interface preamps completely.
How do you connect an interface to a pedal board? ›Daisy Chain your Pedals to your Audio Interface
With your ¼ jack connected to your guitar, connect the other end to your pedals. Daisy chain the rest of your pedals together as you would typically use the correct inputs and outputs. The end of the chain will connect to the audio interface.
At a professional studio, the first thing you'll usually record is a performance track. All the musicians will play through the entire song together without stopping, even if minor mistakes occur. Then, after that, they'll play their individual tracks along to the audio of the performance.
How do I sync my drum to Pro Tools? ›1 Connect a MIDI Out port on your Pro Tools MIDI interface to an appropriate port on the slave device. 2 Connect the MTC out from the slave device to a MIDI In port on your Pro Tools MIDI Inter- face. 3 In Pro Tools, choose Setup > Peripherals and click the Synchronization tab.
How do I connect audio to Pro Tools? ›
- To import files with the Import Audio command from the Menu bar, click File > Import > Audio (or use the keyboard shortcut Shift+Command+I).
- In the Import Audio window, locate and select the desired audio file.
- Add the audio files, click Done, then adjust the Audio Input settings as needed.
A patch panel uses a patch cord, a sort of jumper cable, to create each interconnection between the terminated patch panel and the network device, such as an Ethernet switch, router or firewall. The patch panel makes it easy to rearrange circuits and devices by moving the patch cables between network devices.
How do I connect my digital to analog audio converter? ›Using the coaxial wire that comes with your Converter Box, plug one end into the “Out To TV (RF)” port on the Converter Box. Plug the other end into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on your TV. Plug the power cords on your Converter Box and TV into a power outlet, and turn on your TV and Converter Box.
How do you connect analog audio? ›Connect an audio cable (not provided) to the / AUDIO OUT jack on the side of your TV and to the AUDIO IN jacks on the analog speaker system or sound bar. Plug your TV's power adapter into a power outlet, then turn on your TV. Turn on the analog speaker system or sound bar, then set it to the correct source.