If you're looking for a new patch bay, then this guide will help you find the right one for your needs.
What Should You Consider While Buying the Best Patchbays?
Inputs & Outputs
First, consider how many inputs and outputs you'll need. If you're a professional musician or producer, it's likely that you have multiple instruments which all need to be plugged into the system at once. A patchbay is a perfect solution for this. On the other hand, if your needs are more modest, you may only need a couple of inputs and outputs.
Suitable Form Factor
Next comes the form factor for your studio setup: do you want rack-mountable units, or perhaps something more compact so it can fit easily into your backpack when on tour with no trouble at all. There are several options you can choose from depending on your needs.
Connections
You need to pay special attention to the connection types you'll need, too. Are your instruments balanced or unbalanced? If they're all balanced, then a single TRS input will be enough for them to connect in any combination. However, if some of your equipment is unbalanced, you need to ensure that the patch bay has enough unbalanced connections for all your instruments.
Labeling
Finally, consider what each side (inputs or outputs) needs to be labeled. Do you need a legend printed on the case or clear labeling alongside each connection so that it's easy to see which instrument is plugged in when you look at the patch bay?
Once you've thought about all of these factors, have a look at the options and choose the best one for your needs.
What are the Benefits of Using Patchbays?
Patchbays are a key part of any audio engineer's setup. Whether you're just starting as a sound technician or an experienced professional with decades of experience in the industry, patch bays have many benefits that can serve your needs.
Neat & Clean
Using the best patchbays can make your cable setup as clean and organized as possible. No matter the kind of studio or work area you have, nothing is more frustrating than a whole bunch of cables that are strewn everywhere. After spending hours working on an audio project, the last thing anyone wants to do is untangle all the cables.
Flawless Connectivity
If you have a digital audio interface, it's important to make sure everything is connected properly. Using the best patchbays allows you to test out your connections before powering the system and beginning your work. This can help save both time and money by making sure there are no issues.
No Need of Extra Help
Having an extra set of hands can be a real time-saver when it comes to setting up your studio. Patchbays make it much easier as you can easily connect and disconnect cables without needing help.
Easy Backup
It's always a good idea to back up your projects. A good patchbay can allow you to do this much more quickly and efficiently as they make the process of moving cables around so fast. This is especially helpful if you're working with multiple people on an audio project since it means only one person needs to be able to take the time out of their schedule for backups.
Good Results
Having a professional setup makes your audio projects sound much better. It ensures that everything runs smoothly, meaning there are no issues with latency or static in your system. It's also easier to make changes or move around equipment if and when you require.
Save Your Money
Using the patchbays can save both time and money. Even upgrading your system with a cheap patchbay is beneficial for both your workflow and wallet. You'll also find that these cost savings are multiplied when you consider the time savings that come with using them.
What are the Types of Connections That can be Used With Patchbays?
There are 3 types of connections that can be used with your patchbay, and each has its unique benefits and functions.
- Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS): This connection uses three wires and is the most commonly used type.
- Tip-Sleeve (TS): Uses two wires and has a male plug on both ends.
- Banana (BNC): This connection is commonly found in studio and broadcast gear and uses two wires.
You can also get a patchbay that has all these types of connections on it. It will allow you to use them with different pieces of equipment, making your life easier when moving around signal paths for needing to change a cable or adding a new piece of equipment.
Where Should You Place Your Patchbay?
You can place your patchbay according to your studio settings and available space.
- Floor: The most common place for a patchbay is on the floor as it can take up quite a bit of room, and some people do not have enough desk space.
- Table: This would depend on how much desk space you have, but some people prefer not having wires all over their studio, so they use one that slides under their desk or sits on top of a table.
- Rack: This can be a good option if you have a lot of equipment and need it to take up as little space as possible, but the downside is they are expensive.
The best place for your patchbay depends on where your equipment is set up since that will determine how much signal path is needed.
Best Patchbays FAQs
Q: Which one is better among passive patchbay and active patchbay?
A: A passive patchbay is cheaper and easier to set up but requires you to use special cables. On the other hand, an active patchbay can handle longer cable runs (up to 100m) with no degradation in audio quality. Hence using an active patchbay can save time and money, but it is more expensive.
Q: How much does a patchbay cost?
A: The price of a good quality passive patchbay is around $100 - 250. If you buy an active patchbay, it is likely to have additional features, so the price may go up.
Q: How to set up a patchbay?
A: Each patchbay is different, so you should follow the instructions that came with yours. Before setting up a new one, always make sure it works by connecting your cables and testing them on another system first.