Patchbay Headache

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hendrixman

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I have bee trying to get the most out of my cheap little studio. I thought a patchbay might help..maybe not. Here is a list of my equipment:
Behringer eurorack 1222 fx pro mixer
fostex mr8 mk2 recorder
fostex mr8 hd recorder
behringer ultrapatch pro px2000
behringer composer pro xl compressor/limiter/gate
behringer autocom compressor
ART digital multi fx
behringer rackmount tuner
2 ea cd players
4 channel pa system
4 channel headphone mixer

My original idea was to send my instraments and mics into the mixer. the main outs from the mixer were sent to the inputs of the fostex mk2. the stereo outs were sent back to a channel on the mixer. the rca tape outs on the mixer were sent to the composer pro compressor, then into the fostex hd. the fx were inserted into the channel on the mixer that the mic was on.

I would like to be able to record basic tracks onto the first fostex. Then send the signal to the 2nd fostex for mastering and to burn the cd. I would like to be able to mix down the signal on the mixer and add fx or compession before it is sent to the 2nd fostex recorder. I would like to be able to controll where the signal is listened to(pa speakers or headphones) and which recorder is being heard. Is this even possible? This is where I thought the patchbay would help, to sent the signal and inserts where I wanted them, but I AM STUCK.I have been reading blogs all over the internet with no luck. Someone please help!!
 
You don't really say what it is you are stuck on.

Patchbays are nothing complicated if you consider that all they do is provide an "extension" to you gear's Inputs and Outputs....that's it.
The hardest thing is getting organized where/what is going to go.

The usual way is to have your gear's Outputs on the top row of the PB and the gear's Inputs on the bottom.
You are only limited by the number of points of your PB.

Example:

O: Fostex Ch1....Fostex Ch2....Fostex Ch3....etc...

I : Fostex Ch1....Fostex Ch2....Fostex Ch3....etc...


You may need more than one PB...and you may not be able to have EVERY possible combination that you are thinking about, but you should be able to get most of it.
 
You don't really say what it is you are stuck on.

can the compressors work as stand alone? or do they have to be in a perminent loop through the patchbay? If they can, how do you connent it and what mode does the patchbay have to be in?(normalled, half-normalled, etc...)
how about the fx?stand alone? my mixer only has 2 main outs and 2 tape outs, which kind of makes it hard. Both of my recorders also only have 2 stero and 2 headphone outs as well.
Thanks for the help
 
miroslav said:
You don't really say what it is you are stuck on.

Patchbays are nothing complicated if you consider that all they do is provide an "extension" to you gear's Inputs and Outputs....that's it.
The hardest thing is getting organized where/what is going to go.

The usual way is to have your gear's Outputs on the top row of the PB and the gear's Inputs on the bottom.
You are only limited by the number of points of your PB.

Example:

O: Fostex Ch1....Fostex Ch2....Fostex Ch3....etc...

I : Fostex Ch1....Fostex Ch2....Fostex Ch3....etc...


You may need more than one PB...and you may not be able to have EVERY possible combination that you are thinking about, but you should be able to get most of it.
Click to expand...

can the compressors work as stand alone? or do they have to be in a perminent loop through the patchbay? If they can, how do you connent it and what mode does the patchbay have to be in?(normalled, half-normalled, etc...)
how about the fx?stand alone? my mixer only has 2 main outs and 2 tape outs, which kind of makes it hard. Both of my recorders also only have 2 stero and 2 headphone outs as well.
Thanks for the help
 
Tell you what...start by looking at the PB as 100% non-normalled.
When you can make sense of that, which should be pretty easy as it makes the PB just an extension of the gear's Inputs and Ouputs....then start considering the half and full normalled options.

I think if you try to get a mental picture of every possible combination and how it will all tie in...you will just get a headache, so keep it simple by going non-normalled (at least in your head)...and then expand from there.

Pencil and paper....draw it all out. Every piece of gear and it's I/O and how it will go to the PB.

When I first got involved with PBs...and I had a rather large pile right from the start...I spent quite a few hours thinking and drawing it out until it started making sense and looking like a working hook-up....THEN I actually did the wiring, not before.

Not sure what you are asking about the comps being in a loop? They too have Inputs and Outputs...so just tie them to the PB the same as any other gear. Where is your confusion about them...?
 
I got that part, i guess what im having a hard time with is this. do i have to patch the compressor and fx units so they are ultimately connecting to the mixer or recorder, or can i just connect the comp inputs to the patch and the patch back to the comp output and patch it to the mixer or recorder whaen needed. If i can do this, i think i read i need a special cord. i cot the cord(1 1/4 plug to 2 1/4 plugs), but i cant seem to make it work.
 
All my comps and FX boxes are connected to the PB...just like all the other gear.

I think you're asking about using the mixer's inserts (Send/Receive).
If you hook your inserts to the PB (yes, it's a "Y" cable, 1/4" TRS to two 1/4" TS), then you WILL have to normal the them at the PB so that without any comps connected, the signal is automatically looped from/to the mixer until you break the loop by inserting a comp to the Send/Receive.
For FX boxes...they normally go on the Aux/FX, which is just a straight connection (no Y cable), and you have both the Aux output and the FX return on the PB. No need for normalling them.

It all depends on how you mixer is set up, and all the other gear you are going to connect. That's why I said it's best to lay it out with pencil and paper until you are sure you like the routing, and then wire up the PB accordingly.
 
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