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Post by OtisGreying on Sept 19, 2020 1:09:20 GMT -6
Essentially I'm looking for a patch bay to plug my recording chain into. I want to be able to patch my second mono pre into my main recording chain on the fly so I can utilize the recording chain on my second mono pre and second microphone.
So basically Mic 1-> preamp 1-> patchbay -> rest of chain -> converter
Then patch quickly in my Mic 2 -> preamp 2 -> patchbay -> rest of chain -> converter etc.
I have all tube mics and do not need 48v power.
Whats the best quality patchbay for this practice? I've looked over threads but have tried my best to no avail to follow the lingo with TRS, 1/4, half normal, normal etc. its all very confusing and I have a specific case with all tube mics not needing 48v.
So what do you think? I'm looking for a specific high quality recommendation, I don't want a sonic compromise by introducing a patchbay but based off replies to my previous thread I dont think that will be the case. But If it can be helped I'd rather buy a solid high quality one and never look back. Thanks guys.
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Post by Blackdawg on Sept 19, 2020 1:12:47 GMT -6
I just grabbed two Redco patch bays. Run around 450 each. AES compatible and 48v. Really nice 96 point patchbays. My favorite ones are the audioaccessories ones but they are pricey.
Pretty much all patchbays are passive so not going to degrade any sound.
Now if you get an active one like Flock or something, they will have their own noise characteristics, but insanely low so not worth worrying about.
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Post by OtisGreying on Sept 19, 2020 1:25:05 GMT -6
I just grabbed two Redco patch bays. Run around 450 each. AES compatible and 48v. Really nice 96 point patchbays. My favorite ones are the audioaccessories ones but they are pricey. Pretty much all patchbays are passive so not going to degrade any sound. Now if you get an active one like Flock or something, they will have their own noise characteristics, but insanely low so not worth worrying about. Just curious is there some difference in sonics or something for example between the Redco and audioaccessories or are the price differences pretty much all up to build quality and workflow preferences?
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Post by Blackdawg on Sept 19, 2020 1:53:42 GMT -6
I just grabbed two Redco patch bays. Run around 450 each. AES compatible and 48v. Really nice 96 point patchbays. My favorite ones are the audioaccessories ones but they are pricey. Pretty much all patchbays are passive so not going to degrade any sound. Now if you get an active one like Flock or something, they will have their own noise characteristics, but insanely low so not worth worrying about. Just curious is there some difference in sonics or something for example between the Redco and audioaccessories or are the price differences pretty much all up to build quality and workflow preferences?
having used both and use both daily(work setup vs home setup) I don't think there is a sonic difference. There is a a materials and build quality difference though. Mainly the faceplates, the AA bays are THICK faceplates and the ports are all metal. The redco faceplate is still nice a thick but the ports are dual plastic. So bit cheaper there. Use the same switches far as I can tell to set ground and normals. I don't think the redco's are bad at all. But the AA are top tier. The only ones I've used that I was really disappointed in is the blue SoundCraft ones with the dials on the front to change normals. Love that feature. But the faceplate is so thin the whole bay flexes when you plug in or pull out cables. Super lame considering the cost. That's the only bay I'd avoid due to that, feels cheap yet costs as much as the AA units. If you're not going to be repatched every day all day long constantly, I think the redco's are a great way to go. |
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Post by notneeson on Sept 19, 2020 9:16:42 GMT -6
Redco stuff is good quality in my experience, and they're super helpful if you need custom cables etc.
Are you basically talking about a two channel setup? XLR bays offer fewer channels for the space, but it's a format you are already familiar with and maybe you don't need 96 points?
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Post by Ward on Sept 19, 2020 10:15:01 GMT -6
I bought all Switchcraft 9625s but the Redco are just as good. And a much better price.
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Sept 19, 2020 12:38:25 GMT -6
Used ADC solder bays from EBAY about $75ea. If I couldn’t solder REDCO or Wards favorite Switchcraft.
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Post by Tbone81 on Sept 19, 2020 12:52:11 GMT -6
If you want something cheap with good build quality, and don’t need a TT bay like the redco stuff (which is great btw) try the Sampson S-Patch. It’s cheap, solid construction, uses regular TRS (1/4 plugs), and has front panel switches for normal, half normal, and thru.
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Post by Ward on Sept 19, 2020 13:37:02 GMT -6
If you want something cheap with good build quality, and don’t need a TT bay like the redco stuff (which is great btw) try the Sampson S-Patch. It’s cheap, solid construction, uses regular TRS (1/4 plugs), and has front panel switches for normal, half normal, and thru. But the cross-talk is INSANE on those things!! I had one in a guitar patch bay, and Hard Left and Hard Right was 60/40 at best due to cross-talk. ADDENDUM: If you can get by with only half the points, use every second one and you can eliminate the cross-talk problem. |
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Post by Quint on Sept 19, 2020 13:44:44 GMT -6
If you want something cheap with good build quality, and don’t need a TT bay like the redco stuff (which is great btw) try the Sampson S-Patch. It’s cheap, solid construction, uses regular TRS (1/4 plugs), and has front panel switches for normal, half normal, and thru. But the cross-talk is INSANE on those things!! I had one in a guitar patch bay, and Hard Left and Hard Right was 60/40 at best due to cross-talk. ADDENDUM: If you can get by with only half the points, use every second one and you can eliminate the cross-talk problem. When you say "guitar patchbay", do you mean you were running unbalanced signal through it? I've never run unbalanced signal through a patchbay, so I'm just speculating here, but I wonder if ALL patchbays might not have crosstalk issues with unbalanced signal? |
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Post by Ward on Sept 19, 2020 13:50:03 GMT -6
But the cross-talk is INSANE on those things!! I had one in a guitar patch bay, and Hard Left and Hard Right was 60/40 at best due to cross-talk. ADDENDUM: If you can get by with only half the points, use every second one and you can eliminate the cross-talk problem. When you say "guitar patchbay", do you mean you were running unbalanced signal through it? I've never run unbalanced signal through a patchbay, so I'm just speculating here, but I wonder if ALL patchbays might not have crosstalk issues with unbalanced signal? Not exactly. I mean mono 'lead' into a guitar preamp input, various preamps in the rack (look at my signature picturs, the rack on the far right of the picture against the guitar wall, as an example) And stereo BALANCED outs going into stuff that would be in a 'Bradshaw' rack system back in the day like Rocktro processors, Roland and/or Yamaha reverb or delay units, IPS33 harmonizer, etc etc In other words, NOT stuff for recording with microphones or processing thereafter. Geez, I hope I'm making sense. 50% of the time it's questionable at best |
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Post by Quint on Sept 19, 2020 14:20:30 GMT -6
When you say "guitar patchbay", do you mean you were running unbalanced signal through it? I've never run unbalanced signal through a patchbay, so I'm just speculating here, but I wonder if ALL patchbays might not have crosstalk issues with unbalanced signal? Not exactly. I mean mono 'lead' into a guitar preamp input, various preamps in the rack (look at my signature picturs, the rack on the far right of the picture against the guitar wall, as an example) And stereo BALANCED outs going into stuff that would be in a 'Bradshaw' rack system back in the day like Rocktro processors, Roland and/or Yamaha reverb or delay units, IPS33 harmonizer, etc etc In other words, NOT stuff for recording with microphones or processing thereafter. Geez, I hope I'm making sense. 50% of the time it's questionable at best I'm not sure I'm understanding then. Wouldn't the input to a guitar preamp be an unbalanced, instrument level signal? And, if in close proximity to other signal in the patchbay, especially if that other signal is line level, would that not make the unbalanced, instrument level signal potentially susceptible to picking up a significant amount of crosstalk? |
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Post by Ward on Sept 19, 2020 14:24:10 GMT -6
Nope, I replaced the Sampson one with a Neutrik 1/4" TRS bay and problem mostly solved. But all 1/4" TRS bays suffer from cross-talk issues.
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Post by Tbone81 on Sept 19, 2020 15:47:30 GMT -6
If you want something cheap with good build quality, and don’t need a TT bay like the redco stuff (which is great btw) try the Sampson S-Patch. It’s cheap, solid construction, uses regular TRS (1/4 plugs), and has front panel switches for normal, half normal, and thru. But the cross-talk is INSANE on those things!! I had one in a guitar patch bay, and Hard Left and Hard Right was 60/40 at best due to cross-talk. ADDENDUM: If you can get by with only half the points, use every second one and you can eliminate the cross-talk problem. . Damn, really? I’ve never noticed that. You think maybe something was faulty on yours? Not doubting your experience at all, but I haven’t noticed any crosstalk at all in mine (I have two). |
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Post by nnajar on Sept 19, 2020 18:25:43 GMT -6
I got a good deal on some used audio accessories DB25 patch bays and they're terrific. I don't think I'd want to use anything else.
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Post by soundintheround on Sept 23, 2020 17:03:10 GMT -6
I use the ART P48 cheap 1/4 patchbay (6 of them)
When I re-do things I’m gonna change it up for sure as there are some intermentant issues and a few ground gremlins which I had to lift a few things here and there.
But kinda ignorant to this, can someone explain what is actually different on the more expensive patchbay vs 1/4 TRS ones? Is it just higher quality parts? Or do they use a different grounding scheme or something?
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Post by drbill on Sept 23, 2020 17:29:33 GMT -6
But kinda ignorant to this, can someone explain what is actually different on the more expensive patchbay vs 1/4 TRS ones? Is it just higher quality parts? Or do they use a different grounding scheme or something? TT pro's = More patch point density (double TRS, 6X's XLR), mil spec, built to last a lifetime, less intermittent connections, more termination options - Elco, DB25, punch down, solder. You can get TT's with virtually any grounding scheme or normaling options you could ask for. |
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Post by Ward on Sept 24, 2020 4:56:21 GMT -6
Used ADC solder bays from EBAY about $75ea. If I couldn’t solder REDCO or Wards favorite Switchcraft. Did I ever mention how much you make me laugh? No? Ok, this was funny. LOL And great post, drbill . . . also, IMHE, the crosstalk might be a little lower on a high quality TT than an ART 1/4" TRS bay. |
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Post by OtisGreying on Sept 26, 2020 16:15:31 GMT -6
I think I'm gonna go for the Redco. As I study it more I realize instead of switching which mic/preamp combination I'm plugging into the chain, it makes more sense to situate each line amp/processor into the patchbay and patch them individually so I can use them as inserts as well as in the chain I intended. Thanks for the help guys. Excited..
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Post by OtisGreying on Sept 26, 2020 16:30:03 GMT -6
Any suggestions on a snake cable to work with the Redco? The Mogami one is 300$... Seems like quite a lot.
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Post by indiehouse on Sept 26, 2020 16:34:53 GMT -6
I went from the Samson S-Patch to the Redco bays. Both are great!
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Sept 26, 2020 16:36:09 GMT -6
Any suggestions on a snake cable to work with the Redco? The Mogami one is 300$... Seems like quite a lot. 2 suggestions, REDCO branded snake or a bunch of Mogami 3159 single pair. |
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Post by OtisGreying on Sept 26, 2020 16:41:29 GMT -6
Any suggestions on a snake cable to work with the Redco? The Mogami one is 300$... Seems like quite a lot. 2 suggestions, REDCO branded snake or a bunch of Mogami 3159 single pair. Looking at the redco site now. Do I have to build them myself? Perhaps its much cheaper this way? Everything seems to be in separate parts. Interesting |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Sept 26, 2020 17:06:12 GMT -6
2 suggestions, REDCO branded snake or a bunch of Mogami 3159 single pair. Looking at the redco site now. Do I have to build them myself? Perhaps its much cheaper this way? Everything seems to be in separate parts. Interesting Well Otis you did say snake cable😁 |
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Post by OtisGreying on Sept 26, 2020 17:29:12 GMT -6
Looking at the redco site now. Do I have to build them myself? Perhaps its much cheaper this way? Everything seems to be in separate parts. Interesting Well Otis you did say snake cable😁 I guess it makes sense. More flexibility for specific studio needs. Thanks for the suggestion ericn. |
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