If you have a considerable collection of hardware and want the option to quickly create signal chains, then it's time to get a patchbay. Patchbays provide you with a clear overview of the inputs and outputs of your gear, which can then be easily hooked up using short little patch cables.
XLR vs TRS Jack vs TT/Bantam Studio Patchbays
Since the contacts of both TRS jack and Bantam plugs basically brush past the wrong pins when they're plugged in, it's best to use an XLR patchbay for microphones and microphone preamps. While this is not a problem for line signals, it is for any phantom-powered microphone. Also, note that Bantam plugs are a bit smaller than 6.3mm TRS jack plugs. This means that Bantam/TT patchbays can be equipped with more ports - in some cases as many as 96. That said, Bantam patchbays are generally a little more expensive.
The Patchbay Setup
Patchbays come with two rows of ports on both the front and rear. On either side, the upper row is made for linking up outputs while the lower row of ports can be connected to inputs. To ease life in the studio, patchbays can often be set to one of three different modes: full-normal, half-normal and non-normal.
Full-Normal
Say you've got a microphone preamp and a converter. You connect the output of the preamp to the first channel on the top row of the patchbay and the input of the converter to channel 1 on the bottom-row port. In the case of a full-normal patchbay, the top and bottom rows are connected until you plug in a cable. So, in this example, the microphone signal that you send to the preamp goes directly to the converter. If you want to run the microphone signal through a compressor before the signal is sent to the converter, you'll need to plug a patch cable into the top-row port of channel 1 to 'break' the connection between the top and the bottom port. The other end of the cable needs to be plugged into the input of your compressor. Now, take another patch cable and plug one end into the output of the compressor and the other end into the bottom-row port of the first channel. You've now gone full circle. In short, the advantage of a full-normal configuration is that you can create a default preamp-converter setup without the need to do any patching, and you won't need any more patch cables until you decide to add more gear to the signal chain.
Half-Normal
Half-normal mode is a lot like full-normal mode. The difference is that the connection between the top and bottom ports isn't terminated until you plug a patch cable into the bottom row. When you plug a cable into a top-row port, the signal gets split, which gives you the option to create parallel signal chains. Take the imaginary mic preamp -> compressor -> converter set-up we used to explain full-normal mode. By sending the output of the compressor to the bottom port of channel 2 instead of channel 1 as the last step, you can record the microphone both with and without compression in half-normal mode.
Non-Normal
In non-normal mode, the inputs and outputs aren't connected by default, meaning every connection has to be made manually. This type of patchbay is used for any processors you need to stick between your microphone and converter or want to use for your mix. After all, connecting the output of a compressor directly to its input wouldn't make any sense.
Digital Patchbays
As the name suggests, digital patchbays are operated digitally, so via software or an app instead of physical patch cables. One massive perk of digital patchbays is that you have the option to save your signal chains and switch between your recording set-up and your mixing set-up at the click of a mouse-button.
The Rear Panel: D-Sub (DB25) vs XLR/Jack Ports
Making full use of a patch bay means there'll be a mass of cables hanging out the back. To keep things looking neat, it's a good idea to use a DB25 multi-cable. A single DB25 plug can establish eight connections in one go, but will only work if the gear you want to connect to your patchbay sits close enough together. Fortunately, this is usually the case with multi-channel preamps, equalisers and compressors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Patchbays
How does a patch bay work?
A patchbay is a great way to keep a clear overview of all the inputs and outputs when you're running various external equalizers, compressors and preamps. Since every bit of kit connects to the same panel, you can quickly create different set-ups using short patch cables.
