Best way to bus multiple recording input units and 2 monitor sources

K

kerriobrown

New member
I now have 4 separate units to input audio into for recording and I'd like to be able to do A/B comparisons on my studio monitors and hi-fi consumer setup.

3 of the 4 input devices have 1/4 TRS outputs and 1 has RCA. My monitors and my consumer receiver both have RCA inputs (only a single RCA pair on the studio monitors and multiple on the receiver).

Is there a piece of hardware that would allow me to patch all of these connections together for easy access, while being able to switch off certain individual routes easily?

I assume this is what a patchbay is for, but all of the ones I see look like they just have a bunch of TRS jacks and no buttons to switch them on and off. I also don't need 50 jacks. Is there a better solution for my needs? Also, should I be concerned about degrading sound quality be pushing a new piece of equipment b/t my signal? Are cheaper patchbays bad for sound (I say a cheap HOSA one, are they OK?)?

Less importantly, it would be nice to be able share them across 2 PCs as well. All 4 input devices are USB powered and I'd guess it would be bad news (if even possible) two have the USB signal split intermediate bus-like device that kept me from having to keep plugging and unplugging usb cables then I'd be happier (rather just press a button to switch one off and on).

Anyways, b/c this is just about convenience, I couldn't justify spending more than $100 (anything >$50 would have to be pretty convenient).

Thanks as always,
Kerrio Brown

http://www.reverbnation.com/kerriobrown
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kerrio-Brown/306566748392
 
No one has any ideas? This has to be a common consideration! Does someone at least have a name for what I'm looking for?
 
What you might want is a matrix switch - they have multiple inputs and multiple outputs, and by pushing buttons you can select what goes where. Some of the more expensive units can also save 'patches' so you can flip between two patches and all the settings change accordingly, as you saved them.

I used to have one 20 years ago, and I'm sure they're still made, though I'm sure instead of relays they use something more semiconductor-ish. I would hope anyway :)

Hosa-style patchbays are okay, except that the jacks aren't durable and over time if you do a lot of patching, it will break.

This is why ADC-style patch bays are desirable, and expensive - metal jacks on a hard phonelic panel with metal framing that's fairly thick.
 
Will a mixer do the trick?

Thanks for the reply this got me at least on a path. I couldn't find any matrices, patch bays, or switch boxes that would suit my needs and I was quite shocked since having a audio input/output hub seems like a no-brainer in a studio.

But I talked to a great GC rep who gave me the idea of using a mixer for this purpose. I guess if there are modular inputs (i.e. channel strips) and multiple audio out sources (e.g., two independent LR stereo outs), then all I'd have to do is mute different inputs and outputs and I get what I want, right? Is this why there is no demand for whatever I'm asking for? Is it b/c that is what people use hardware mixers for?

If so, I'd love some advice on how to approach mixer purchases with the main goal being to treat it as a hub. The GC salesman suggested the Behringer Xenyx 1002, which is only $69.99. He said he does all of his recordings through it, and the link to his music shows standards beyond my own.

While additional features are nice (e.g. preamp, EQ etc), I'd rather spend the xtra $ on reducing quality loss given that the mixer will mostly be used as a hub. Are their better suggestions?
 
Fairly expensive, have a look at a Mackie Big Knob:
http://www.mackie.com/products/bigknob/
Presonus has a nice unit, the monitor station:
http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=47
The Samson C is more economical:
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1650

I'm sure there are plenty more choices. Most are going to have 1/4" TRS or TS connectors, so you need adapters for the RCA plugs.

As far as splitting the USB, you can get a manual switch like this:
http://sewelldirect.com/USBManualShareSwitch2To1.asp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top