
E
Microphone inputs operate at a level several orders of magnitude lower than line levels (+4 dBu or -10 dBV). Therefore,
they should never be routed via a patchbay. In any case, patching in a field with 48 V DC (phantom power) flying about
is to be avoided at all costs. It is best to plug mics directly into the mixing console or via special XLR-type wall boxes
connected to the mic inputs of the console by good-quality balanced multicore cables (2-cond. + shield).
2. Patchbay organization
Let us give you an example configuration that shows how you can most effectively use your patchbays. We assume
you own a mixing console with 16 mic/line inputs plus inserts, 8 direct outputs, 8 su/jointfilesconvert/421617/bgroups with 4 inserts, 4 aux paths
with 2 stereo returns and one stereo master output including insert jacks. Added to this we have an 8-track recorder
(digital or analog), a few pieces of outboard equipment (FX, dynamics & EQs), a CD player, tape deck, HiFi system and
a headphones amp:
1
2
3
4
In the first eight modules of patchbay
1
the su/jointfilesconvert/421617/bgroup outputs are directly connected to the corresponding multitrack
inputs. In addition to that it is also possible to record the signals coming from a su/jointfilesconvert/421617/bgroup on a different track of the
multitrack. To save space and provide a clearly structured configuration, the direct outputs are connected both to the
top and bottom jacks. Modules 17 & 18 are the stereo master output, which is half-normalled and thus allows for
recording both to the DAT recorder and the tape deck, simply by patching it accordingly. Modules 19 & 20 (tape deck)
are open, because it does not make sense connecting the inputs and outputs of the tape deck. 21 & 22 are normalled
and route the DAT recorder outputs to the 2 TRK-ins of the mixing console. So it always is possible to control the
recorded data on the 2-track from the mixing console. The CD player and the HiFi system are connected to modules 23
& 24, which are open, because they only serve as a source.
In patchbay
2
the first 16 modules are normalled (1 through 8 IN could also be used to connect the corresponding
monitor inputs - if the console has a separate monitor section). MIDI devices such as samplers, expanders, keyboards,
etc. are usually set up in every corner of the room. To make the cabling better structured we route these units to
modules 9 through 16. This allows further workmanship of the MIDI devices at the mixing console. Modules 17 through
20 are normalled and have the FX inputs and the aux sends connected, 21 through 24 are also normalled and are
patched to the two stereo aux returns with the FX outputs.
In patchbay
3
, modules 1 through 16 are for the channel insert. These modules are half-normalled, so that you have
an additional route for the channel signals. The same applies to the insert paths of the sub-groups and the master
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