Behringer MX2004A Patchbay organization, Example of a studio organization with four patchbays

EURORACK MX2004A

and outputs are positioned on top of each other.

Basically, the inputs are routed to the bottom and the outputs to the top rear-wall connectors. Avoid routing digital signals over a patchbay as the pulse signal used for the transmission of such signals causes heavy interference in analog signals. Additionally, normal patchbays change the impedance of the digital cable route, which causes interference in the digital path. Use the BEHRINGER ULTRAMATCH SRC2000 specifically designed for this and other digital signal-related functions.

Microphone inputs operate at a level several orders of magnitude lower than line levels (+4 dBu or -10 dBV). Therefore, they should never be routed via a patchbay. In any case, patching in a field with 48 VDC (phantom power) flying about is to be avoided at all costs. It is best to plug mics directly into the mixing console or via special XLR-type wall boxes connected to the mic inputs of the console by good-quality balanced multicore cables (2-cond. + shield).

6.4.6 Patchbay organization

Let us give you an example configuration that shows how you can most effectively use your patchbays. We assume you own a mixing console with 16 mic/line inputs plus inserts, 8 direct outputs, 8 subgroups with 4 inserts, 4 aux paths with 2 stereo returns and one stereo master output including insert jacks. Added to this we have an 8-track recorder (digital or analog), a few pieces of outboard equipment (FX, dynamics & EQ’s), a CD player, tape deck, HiFi system and a headphones amp:

1

2

3

4

Fig. 6.6: Example of a studio organization with four patchbays

In the first eight modules of patchbay 1 the subgroup outputs are directly connected to the corresponding multitrack inputs. In addition to that it is also possible to record the signals coming from a subgroup on a different track of the multitrack. To save space and provide a clearly structured configuration, the direct outputs are con- nected both to the top and bottom jacks. Modules 17 & 18 are the stereo master output, which is half-normalled and

6. APPLICATIONS 19