Patch Bay Instructions
®
P
atch bays are intended for insertion into the
signal path between multi-track recorders and
audio mixing consoles in home and commer-
cial studios. Connecting the patchbay between the
tape deck and mixer allows very convenient and
flexible signal-routing and re-patching, without
crawling behind the equipment every time a change
becomes necessary.
The inputs and outputs of outboard signal
processors like reverbs, delays and compressors are
also routed through the patch bay, making it simple to
add such effects into the signal path by employing
short, patch-bay cables to connect one device's
output to another device's input at the front of the bay
(much the way old-time telephone operators con-
PHB-265
nected telephone calls). Often, multiple patch bays
are used so that every sound source, every signal
processor, and every sound destination can be within
fingertip reach.
Certain conventions and terminology have
developed over the years, regarding the manner in
which studio gear is connected to the patch bay, and
regarding the type of patch bays used. This manual
follows and explains those conventions and attempts
to de-mystify the terminology used to describe the
various types of patch bays.
Each channel of your
new Hosa model PHB-265 can be easily config-
ured via front-panel switches to any of the three
main types of bays.
Patch-bay connections can seem confusing at first until you've grasped
the concepts. As you read this manual, it will help if you maintain a
vivid mental picture of the
direction of signal flow, as though your audio
signal was water flowing through pipes, and your cables were hoses.
And when looking at a vacant jack in the bay, learn to think of it as a
source or a load, meaning that it's either offering signal
to you or
accepting it
from you, but never both!
Tip!
Patch-Bay Types
Patch Bays can be divided into three main categories, based upon the way signal may be routed. These
types are often referred to by the terms "Open" (De-Normalled), "Full-Normalled", and "Half-Normalled".
Fig. 1. Arrows indicate direction of signal-flow when
using the commonly accepted practice of employing
top-rear jacks to accept incoming signals, and
bottom-rear jacks to pass outgoing signals.
Rear
Front
What Does "Normalled" Mean?
In a
general sense, "Normalled" means "usually
(normally) connected", and it refers to the vertically-
oriented jack pairs at the rear of the bay. (See Fig.
1., this page.) For example, most recording studios
have the mixer's OUTPUTS "usually connected" with
the recorder's INPUTS as we have done in Fig.1.
For recording purposes, it is very convenient to have
signal "loop" through the bay in this manner (with the
permanent connections made at the rear) because
we can now intercept, divert or make substitutions for
the signal easily at the front of the bay in a number of
ways, depending upon the patch bay's configuration.
From
Mixer's Ch.
1 OUTPUT
To
Recorder's
Ch. 1 INPUT
Three Different Patch Bays in One.
Switchable Patch Bay
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