_ Six _
Joined: 03/06/06
Posts: 1398
Loc: Liverpool
|
Do I need a patchbay?
#996044 - 03/07/12 11:17 PM
|
|
|
|
I've got a few pieces of hardware outboard that I'd like to use for tracking and mixing.
My soundcard is the Focusrite 26 i/o with an SSL Alpha connected via SPIDIF.
I've got a TC Electronic digital multi effects, a Graphic EQ, a Bass Amp Sim with
effects and the EQ section of the SLL I'd like to use in the mix.
Would I be
better using a patch bay or wiring everything up to the sound card? I'm using Logic Pro
8.
Cheers
Six
|
The Elf
active member
Joined: 14/08/01
Posts: 8143
Loc: Sheffield, UK
|
Re: Do I need a patchbay?
[Re: _ Six _]
#996057 - 04/07/12 06:02 AM
|
|
|
|
A patchbay is always worthy of consideration as soon as you have a few pieces of gear and
a few options for how it plugs together. Being able to change allocations and chain order
is not only quick and efficient, it is also less restrictive and more creative.
I have written entire songs based on the results of sounds created by strange patch bay
configurations!
--------------------
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
|
ef37a
Joined: 29/05/06
Posts: 5622
Loc: northampton uk
|
Re: Do I need a patchbay?
[Re: _ Six _]
#996060 - 04/07/12 06:38 AM
|
|
|
|
Six, is all that kit balanced in and out? (can't be A'ed to pull ALL the manuals!)
If not do consider making it all so. You can impedance balance outputs but you
will need transformers or active boxes (Orchid Electronics? OEP?) for inputs.
Trying to integrate balanced and unbalanced kit in a patchbay is a nightmare I can tell
you.
Dave.
|
ConcertinaChap
Joined: 20/07/05
Posts: 1840
Loc: Bradford on Avon
|
Re: Do I need a patchbay?
[Re: _ Six _]
#996079 - 04/07/12 09:22 AM
|
|
|
It's all down to how often you have to replug stuff. If it's once every six months or more
then you don't need a patchbay. Any more frequently than that and I would say get one.
After all the Neutrik NYS-SPP-L1, which is well made and straightforward to use, is only
40-50 quid. Not very much for the convenience. CC
-------------------- Put the fun back into dysfunctional.
Mr Punch's Studio
|
Hugh Robjohns
SOS Technical Editor
Joined: 25/07/03
Posts: 18348
Loc: Worcestershire
|
Re: Do I need a patchbay?
[Re: _ Six _]
#996091 - 04/07/12 10:30 AM
|
|
|
|
Patch bays can be useful, but they are also a weak-link in the audio chain with the
potential to introduce distortions, drop-outs and so on.
With the larger
computer interfaces it is often possible to connected everything permanently to seperate
line inputs and outputs, and then do all the patching by setting up the appropriate
routing within the DAW.
However, the down side of this approach is the added
latency of going through additional conversion processes if you want to chain different
outboard together.
Whether that's relevant to your situation only you can
decide.
If you do go down the patchbay route, I would also recommend the
neutrik patchbay unit.
Hugh
--------------------
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound
|
The Elf
active member
Joined: 14/08/01
Posts: 8143
Loc: Sheffield, UK
|
Re: Do I need a patchbay?
[Re: _ Six _]
#996158 - 04/07/12 03:15 PM
|
|
|
|
...and I'd recommend the Samson S-Patch. Mine have been 100% reliable and I find the front
panel per-channel normalisation switches useful.
--------------------
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
|
Jack Ruston
Joined: 21/12/05
Posts: 4065
|
Re: Do I need a patchbay?
[Re: _ Six _]
#996168 - 04/07/12 03:53 PM
|
|
|
Well, it's a tricky one. The advantages are that once you've done it, it's a convenient
way to quickly patch stuff, and can sometimes enhance functionality. The disadvantages are
that it's expensive to do properly, it needs to be done properly because otherwise you
risk the sort of reliability and fidelity problems that Hugh mentioned and if you're
trying to stay portable it can add a lot of weight to the rack. Personally I
repatch stuff almost every day, and I don't have patchbays at all. I prefer to be able to
connect stuff directly. J
-------------------- www.jackruston.com
|
Jimi's Music
Joined: 19/03/05
Posts: 3
Loc: Greendale Wisconsin
|
Re: Do I need a patchbay?
[Re: _ Six _]
#996246 - 05/07/12 03:41 AM
|
|
|
|
The studio I work at could not function without a patchbay.
people bring in different
gear, plus we have so many combinations
it is a must.
AT home I have a setup
with Rossetta 800, Avalon 737. Two Twin Finities going into DBX160's, Daking Mach 4 into
DBX 1046 and 2 DBX 386
For this setup I just leave it wired to a snake to my tracking
room. Rarely do I change things.
So it is really up tow often you need to
change your setup. Some people get one because they think they need one but you will know
after working with your setup a while.
Good Luck
|
Previous
Topics
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
