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How to Connect a Patchbay

Most recording studios require the use of a patchbay for multiple reasons. Many recording studios have mixing consoles with fewer sub-group channels than the number of tracks that will be recorded. Using a patchbay will allow you to re-route cabling quickly and simply, without crawling behind the console. Patchbays are also used to route outboard equipment like microphone preamplifiers or compressors to certain console channels during the recording or mixing process in the same manner.

Things You'll Need

  • Split (standard) console (not an in-line console)
  • Multi-mode patchbay
  • Audio snakes and patchbay cables
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Instructions

    • 1

      Connect your multi-track recording device's individual playback outputs to the mixers inputs using a snake. Start at the first channel on the console, connecting each mult-track output until you have connected all of them.

    • 2

      Connect the recording area to the next group of inputs on the console using a stage-box or wall-mount XLR connectors.

    • 3

      Connect the direct outputs of these channels to the inputs on the back of the patchbay, starting with the input on the far left. Select the half-normal mode on the patchbay for these connections.

    • 4

      Connect the rear outputs on the patchbay to the inputs on the multi-track device.

    • 5

      Connect each subgroup output on the back of the mixing console to a rear input on the patchbay. Configure these channels in parallel mode.

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Recording Music

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