A patchbay is used in a permanent electronic studio to patch signals to one another. These signals include audio and DMX signals, such as those used in theater lighting. Patchbays are most commonly used in audio recording studios and television control booths.
A patchbay saves the electronic engineer the time of locating and patching cables to individual instruments. It creates a central place for the user to perform instrument and electronics processing patching from one central location. The patchbay also locates the cables to one area of the room, which creates an organized cabling system and eliminates tripping hazards.
Patchbays are also known as patch panels. They are usually a panel that houses inputs and outputs for cable connections. There are a large number of longer cables in the back of the patchbay that go to instruments and processing equipment. Stage lighting patchbays are often set into a panel in the floor or in a wall. In a theater, multiple patchbays are often set throughout the facility, near the audience and in the control booth to ensure quick and easy access to the cabling.
If the patch bay houses a large number of cables that are difficult to keep organized, the studio designer may elect to build a wiring closet to house the cables in an enclosed location. Sometimes, the wiring closet may be a room behind the patchbay, which can be accessed from behind a separate wall or panel.
Cables used in a patchbay must be properly shielded from interference, because they are so close together in the patchbay. Their proximity to each other within the patchbay system increases the chance that cables will encounter interference from the electrical signals of other cables.