I’ve been looking at the Boredbrain Terminal for desktop use, which seems not to be in stock terribly frequently. Part of the appeal is that it would (per the description on their website) be usable with stereo signals. Would something like the small ART patchbay be usable the same way?
Or, phrased another way, could any TRS patchbay could be used with TRS cables carrying a stereo signal, or is there something special at work with the Terminal that lets it work that way?
Any TRS passive patchbay can be used with mono balanced, unbalanced, and stereo wiring just fine.
I’ve just redesigned my patchbay layout. So I thought I’d share my patchbay strategy, to see if the more experienced will give me green light or if there are suggestions for how to patch things up better.
I haven’t got a big rack so I have just one cheap Neutrik 1/4" patchbay, all set in half-normal. Taking advantage of the “normalling-signalflow” I have made a mono channelstrip for recording that goes:
Pre - EQ - fast comp - slow comp - interface.
My second way in for recording stereo sources is:
Mackie mixer - RNC stereo comp - interface.
And then there’s some options for running outboard fx (Reverb, Echo, Moog filter, Reamp-box). I also have my Mackie onyx mixer set up with my SP-samplers + Kp3 on the Alt 3+4 channel.
I feel pretty happy with the layout. Easy for me to navigate and still with … seemingly endless possibilities.
Hello friends. I just picked up two of the apparently popular Samson patch bays with the switch. Two questions:
Is there a most-popular way to handle labeling? Some fancy magnets? Tape down the middle? A printable template?
Where’s the best place to get bulk cable / connectors for running to equipment and back to the patch bay? (Some short cables for the front seem readily available.) Or is it not worth the effort and just get premade cabling?
Some searching keepings bringing up Redco, so I suppose I could combine some bulk balanced cable with TRS connectors and go to town.
I’m quite happy using a spreadsheet on the computer because it’s easy to adjust and reference as needed.
I use pre-made monorocket snakes for the rear cabling and simple Hosa cables for front connections. They’re both on the affordable end of the options out there but don’t help much if you’re keen to DIY.
There’s a few templates floating around for the Samson patchbay, but I just use a google docs spreadsheet. There’s someone on eBay selling custom vinyl overlays, but unless you have a locked in setup, the costs would add up fast with only couple of changes per year. I build all my cabling and highly recommend using the Redco bulk snake cable wherever you can. You can get reasonably decent 1/4” TRS plugs on ebay- good for cabling that doesn’t get constantly changed. Otherwise, I’ve been using a amphenol plugs lately for frequently used cables.
I’m wrestling with the same problem. Bought some fancy tape. But the available space is minuscule, so unless the rack is at a convenient height and you have great eyesight, a sheet on the wall may be more practical. I happen to have a gap above my Samson in the rack, so I may try putting a tape label on the visible top of the unit.
Update:
This is what I’m trying since I have that gap. Really awkward to write neatly on, though.
I just acquired a patchbay as well and am contemplating how to keep track of the connections. I think I will be creating a spreadsheet, but PatchCad could be another approach. It looks like it’s a labeling software.
Posting this here in case anyone is interested:
https://dudleyfarrow.wixsite.com/minibay/blank-page
Edit: love the URL 
It’s a 40 point desktop patchbay using 1/8" cables, seems like a nice solution for others like me that don’t have any 19" gear 
Been excitedly watching this guy’s site to open up for Minibay orders. Pretty much an insta-buy for me. My studio doesn’t have a patchbay yet, and the spider web of cords going all over is getting a little nuts. It feels like a natural fit for my smaller studio space.
So I’d like to make a 4-way mult using two channels of one of my patch bays. It does through, normalled and half-normalled. Is the only/best way to solder four jacks together, and stick them in the back of two channels in through mode?
I’m on the lookout for a small patch bay, but also thinking of DIY to have a narrower one that fits the space.
I found these pre-made parts by Neutrik, https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Neutrik/NYS-SPCR1?qs=R5cXQUTKuHWpOC6rQKkT7g%3D%3D. They seem like a decent deal because from what I’ve found four jacks would cost more than that part.
However since my DIY audio knowledge is basically less than zero maybe I’m missing something important, does anyone have tips or advice for patchbay making supplies?
It looks like the Minibay has a new site, with orders now open (shipping June).
Best I can tell, these are the individual boards from a Neutrik rackmount patchbay. I have one of those and it’s fine.
Hi all, I’ve just been setting up my Samson patchbay for the first time and got it mostly working with a few issues to iron out. Sending audio through 1/4 to 1/8 jacks has been problematic, especially to modular. I’m using these cables, maybe not so great as they’re cheap but they’re working in some cases. I’m getting better results using long mono to euro patch cables and adding a 1/8 to 1/4 adapter on the end. Does anyone else have tips for dealing with different size jacks than the usual 1/4”?
Hmm. What exactly are you trying to do vis a vis balanced/unbalanced with this patch bay and everything connected to it?
I have to admit I haven’t thought too much about it and just started reading up on it re patchbays. Only use balanced cables for my end of chain signal which is an analog heat (from the mixer) going to my monitors.
Request for advice from you patchbay-heads. I’m moving studios next week and am trying to figure out what’s the kindest to future-me way to unplug/replug my patchbay for transport. I already have all the connections laid out in a spreadsheet but are there things you’d do to make the physical process as painless as possible? (Leave one side of the patch at plugged? Remove everything? Label each cable? On which end? Any advice greatly appreciated.
The thing that comes to mind for me is colour coded ordering. I use monoprice snakes and I always order the 8 colours the same way, which makes tracking connections easier whenever I have to make changes etc.
Did any of y’all end up nabbing one of those Minibays? I’m wanting a solution for better desktop cable management and thinking this might be the solution.
