An audio patchbay, often called a patch panel or patch bay, is a device used in audio production and recording studios to facilitate the routing and organization of audio signals. It allows audio engineers and producers to quickly connect and disconnect various audio devices such as microphones, instruments, amplifiers, and outboard gear without having to constantly reconfigure cables.
They help reduce cable clutter, save time during setup and troubleshooting, and provide a clear overview of signal routing.
This flexibility is especially important in professional audio setups where signal routing can be complex and frequently changed.
Here's how an audio patchbay works:
Physical Interface:
A typical audio patchbay consists of a metal or plastic panel with rows of input and output connectors, typically 1/4-inch jacks or XLR connectors, although other types of connectors can also be used depending on the application.
The patchbay has both a front and a rear panel.
Each input on the rear panel corresponds to a corresponding output on the front panel. These connections are established through a series of switches or jumpers inside the patchbay.
You can change the connections between the rear and front jacks with switches or the use of patch cables.
The standard convention has the signal flow running from top to bottom
Thus on the front panel, outputs are on the top and inputs on the bottom.
Usually, you will plug your audio sources into the top rows, and the destinations into the bottom rows of jacks.
I've labelled the top row as out (that is these are the outputs from your mics, synths, drums, etc).
The bottom row are their inputs into the mixer for example.
Patch Cords:
To make specific audio connections, you use patch cords (also known as patch cables or simply "patching"). You plug one end of the patch cord into the front panel input of the source device and the other end into the front panel input of the destination device. This route allows audio to flow from the source to the destination.
Signal Routing:
By plugging and unplugging patch cords, you can easily change the signal path between various audio devices. This flexibility allows you to experiment with different equipment combinations, apply effects, route audio to different recording channels, and more.
Labeling:
It's essential to label the front panel inputs and outputs clearly to avoid confusion, especially in complex setups. Many patchbays have slots for labels or come with pre-labeled panels.
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Different patchbay setups;
Normalled Connections:
Some patchbays have normalled connections.
This is useful for common connections that are rarely changed. For example, you might have a microphone always connected to a particular preamp.
Line sources such as keyboards & drum machines and so forth should be normalled to their usual input channels like a recorder or mixer.
The above pic shows how the patch bay will operate with
+ no cables (plugged into the front)
+ one cable plugged into the top
+ one cable plugged into the bottom
+ two cables plugged into the bottom & top
The idea is that you don't need to use patch cables to do your common studio work.
To break any connections, you can plug in a cable into either the (top) output or (Bottom) input socket.
Half Normalled:
Here, the signal flows from top to bottom, and the connection is broken by plugging
in a cable into the bottom jack
The top jacks output is in effect a mult.
Inserting a plug into the top socket allows the source signal to be heard without breaking the path to the mixer channel.
The direct signal path (from top to bottom) is only broken by inserting a jack into the lower socket.
The above pic shows how the patch bay will operate with
+ no cables (plugged into the front)
+ one cable plugged into the top
+ one cable plugged into the bottom
+ two cables plugged into the bottom & top
Parallel
The audio source is copied twice (you can access these copies by plugging a cable into either/both
the front paneled jacks).
Plugging in a cable to the front panel wont break any connection to the rear bottom jack
Through / Open
Pretty self explanatory
This setting is I think most useful for effects units.
connect a cable from the lower rear of the patch bay to the input of your effect unit.
connect a cable from the upper rear of the patch bay to the output of your effect unit.
Now you can access the effect's ins and outs from the patch bay's front panel
Different Types: There are different types of patchbays, including balanced and unbalanced, normalled and non-normalled, and various configurations based on the number of inputs and outputs. Choose the type that best suits your specific needs.
In summary, an audio patchbay simplifies signal routing and organization in audio production and recording environments by allowing you to easily connect and disconnect audio devices using patch cords. It's an indispensable tool for audio professionals who need flexibility and efficiency in their workflows.
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