Patch Bay: Simplification tutorial

The patchbay allows us to interconnect outboard gear, console, tape machine, and tie lines in a non-permanent manner. This is done so that all source and destination configurations are easily accessible.

Connectors
Different patchbays are configured to accept different types of connectors.

Some types are


 * 1) 1/4 inch
 * 2) T. T.

All balanced connections and the patch cords are usually about 1 meter in length.

Fully Normalled
Fully Normalled: A cable inserted into either top or bottom jack breaks the internal connection and signal now flows through the patch cable.



Half Normalled
Half Normalled: plugging a patch cable into the top jack does not break the signal, but creates a Y split. Plugging into the bottom jack breaks the normal top to bottom connection and allow signal to flow from the top to the bottom jack through the patch cable.

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Non Normal
Non Normal: This configuration consists of only input and output points for devices not normally connected to the console. No signal is traveling from the top to bottom jacks.



The I/O section
The I/O patch points receive signal from the individual channels and return that signal to several places in signal flow.
 * 1) Mic Lines – The outputs of the microphone before the pre amp.
 * 2) Channel Mic Inputs – Input to the mic preamp.
 * 3) MTR Returns – Output of each track from the MTR.
 * 4) Channel Line Inputs – Input to the line position of the mic/line switch.
 * 5) Channel Insert Sends – Pre or post equalizer signal from the I/O.
 * 6) Channel Insert Returns – Signal enters the I/O either pre or post EQ.
 * 7) Group outputs – output of each individual buss in the routing matrix.
 * 8) MTR Sends – Input to each track of the MTR
 * 9) MTR Returns – output of each track on the MTR.
 * 10) Monitor Inputs – Input to the monitor fader/monitor path.

In line patching
In line patching – AKA patching across. This technique is when signal from the I/O is sent to a processor, & returned to the same I/O (i.e. insert send & returns).

Dead patch
Dead Patch – Using a patch cord to interrupt the signal path from one jack to the other.

Cross Patch
Cross Patch – To patch from a source to a different destination jack.

Mult
Mult – A poor mans distribution amp. A string of jacks, wired in parallel, so that all the jacks will see the same signal. Mult is short for multiplier.