TT Bantam bays offer two things over cheap, ordinary 1/4" bays.
First, usually has to do with port density. In 1U of space, I have 144 patch connections, which actually is 96 patch connections, with a row of 48 ports hardwired to the first row. This allows patching things to two inputs, or to inputs and effects, etc. Saves the hassle of "Y" cords.
Second, TT patch bays are generally made by Switchcraft, ADC, thus the quality of the connection is much higher and more durable than those neutrik, behringer, tascam, etc type of patch bays.
Audibly, there is not much difference, but an ADC TT bay can take a tremendous amount of cord swapping before the jack wears out. Of course, ADC/Switchcraft also make 1/4 bays if you want normal density with the same quality, no problem there.
Typically TT cords are more expensive, I would agree. However the patch cords are typically made using quality connectors and Mogami, Canare or other high quality cable. The high quality cables really make a difference. In fact, most ADC bays can be used for digital audio as well as analog. I have one patch bay that I have all of the Tascam TDIF signals that normally run across a special 25-pin cable soldered into one of my bays. This allows me to cross-connect digital things instead of buying an expensive digital audio detangler. Strange, but it works. It allows me to take the 25-pin cable that has channels 1-8 plus handshaking, and split it up to multiple devices. Since all the digital recorder stuff I have is hard-locked together, this works.
Anyway, to answer your question in short - quality, mechanical survivability, and port density!!!!!
longsoughtfor said:
I have been wondering about patchbays recently too. What are the advantages of TT Bantam patchbays over TRS?
The bays themselves are roughly the same price but TT patch cable are much more expensive then TRS cables... is it the cable itslef? The connectors?
Anyone have a good source for TT patch cables? Used is probably OK.
Cheers
Kevin.
