Patchbay for MOTU 896

[wrduke]

I am new to this forum and to home recording. I have a MOTU 896 mounted in a 4 bay box. It gets quite confusing getting cables in from the back when I need to add or subtract connections. I was wondering if I used a patchbay does it have to be XLR? Can I use 1/4"TBS from the output side of the patchbay into the Neutrik Combo XLR in the back of my MOTU. So all my cabling in the front will be 1/4' connections. Again this may be a simple question but I tip my hat to the pros on the forum, some folks seem to think plug in a microphone and out comes a CD.

Back to my question, or would you recommend a Neutrik Combo XLR patch panel as a extention to move my connections to the front. I am very budget minded.

Thanks in advance.

[SonicAlbert]

If the 896 has combo Neutrik's, then you can use 1/4" TRS cables with it and a balanced TRS patchbay. You don't need an XLR patchbay. Just get a patchbay that has 1/4" jacks and allows both balanced and unbalanced connections. there are a lot of inexpensive options out there.