How do I know when I need a patchbay?

[JohnSmooth]

I've been wrestling with this question for a while and I just wanted some opinions. Thanks!

[SouthSIDE Glen]

If you've got a couple of pieces or more of outboard processing gear (verbs, EQs, compressors, etc.) that you want to easily chain together - or seperately - to any recording or playback channel you wish in any order you wish and you don't want to mess around with a spaghetti bowl of cables to create those chains, then you are in the market for a patch bay.

If you have to ask whether or not you need a patch bay, then you probably don't need one.

G.

[Chris Shaeffer]

I suggest getting a patch bay before your back goes out from crawling under the table so you can get to the back of your rack and hook things up.

If you've worn out more than 2 sets of pant knees its time for a patchbay.

And especially if you tend to hook and unhook your stuff so much that the jacks start to get a bit loose- patch that puppy up and make the $50 patchbay take the abuse instead!

Keep in mind, though, that you cabling needs go through the roof when you add a patchbay because its essentially like having everything hooked up all the time AND you have short patch cables to actually patch them in.

Worth it, though, to save your back and knees.

I suppose another condition I'd add is if you want to look professional for some reason. Or if you need to neaten up the appearance of your studio. Patchbays, while they create WAY more cables, typically let you tuck all those cables away and just have little ones laying around.

-C

[thajeremy]

You may need a patch bay if.....all of the above

[FALKEN]

you'll know.


...and then a month later, you'll know you need a second one.