TT PATCHBAYS
TT PATCHBAYS
I am looking to upgrade to a TT patchbay. I've been searching the net for different manufacturers and I'm finding many different options. Can anyone chime in with their experiences with some different types?
Also what are the pros / cons to the different types of connections? db 25 vs. solder points, molex or elco/edac or a punch block?
Also what are the pros / cons to the different types of connections? db 25 vs. solder points, molex or elco/edac or a punch block?
- b
i've had good experiences with the audio accessories and switchcraft. all of my patchbays are solder type. if i were you, i'd get the db25 or the punch in kind. soldering these bitches can be a pain, specially if you intend to use the bussed ground configuration.
what i like about the db25 is that you can simply call up Chris @ redco or anyone alike and ask for the cable you need and BAM! you just plug that b!tch in. but they're also 500-800 bucks compared to 200-300. in my opinion it's worth it. you can reconfigure your setup fairly easily.
all this said, i'm about to get a db25 bay.
~i.
what i like about the db25 is that you can simply call up Chris @ redco or anyone alike and ask for the cable you need and BAM! you just plug that b!tch in. but they're also 500-800 bucks compared to 200-300. in my opinion it's worth it. you can reconfigure your setup fairly easily.
all this said, i'm about to get a db25 bay.
~i.
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- tinnitus
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If I were given a choice between solder and punch down I would choose punch-down every time. Be aware that you will almost definitely have to purchase a punch down tool to the tune of maybe $80 or more and you may have to spend 5 minutes or so learning to punch. The nice thing about punch terminations is that you can fit a lot of terminals in a small space and punching in cramped quarters is a LOT easier than soldering in cramped quarters (in my opinion, at least). A good pair of needle-nose pliers is also a great thing to have for punch downs.
Now, if you're not installing this permanently and using bulk cable, I would just go DB-25. The way you reconfigure DB-25 is by changing where the TRS plugs at the other end plug in. And usually those types of patch bays have a special system for changing the normalling (like a little tiny switch or something). If you punch or solder you can custom wire the normalling, but then again you have to custom wire the normalling. It's more work for more flexibility.
Hopefully that gives you some more information to go on. I punched ADC QPC and I liked the tool and the terminals a lot. I do a lot of datacomm 66 and 110 style punching and I didn't find the ADC system to be cheap or lacking in any way.
Todd Wilcox
Now, if you're not installing this permanently and using bulk cable, I would just go DB-25. The way you reconfigure DB-25 is by changing where the TRS plugs at the other end plug in. And usually those types of patch bays have a special system for changing the normalling (like a little tiny switch or something). If you punch or solder you can custom wire the normalling, but then again you have to custom wire the normalling. It's more work for more flexibility.
Hopefully that gives you some more information to go on. I punched ADC QPC and I liked the tool and the terminals a lot. I do a lot of datacomm 66 and 110 style punching and I didn't find the ADC system to be cheap or lacking in any way.
Todd Wilcox
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- tinnitus
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I'm going to talk completely out of my butt and suggest that the quality of the cabling, the internal patchbay wiring, the patch cables, and the TT jacks themselves will be more significant than the termination type in terms of sound quality.
My personal opinion is that if someone told me the soldering sounded the best I still wouldn't want to do it. I'd hate to have to change it, and I'm not good enough with an iron to ensure that I'd get the most quality possible with solder joints. Punch downs are more fool proof but they can jump out while you're punching and they can be a little tedious. I'd guess that punch down and solder would sound more similar with DB25s bringing up the rear.
Todd Wilcox
My personal opinion is that if someone told me the soldering sounded the best I still wouldn't want to do it. I'd hate to have to change it, and I'm not good enough with an iron to ensure that I'd get the most quality possible with solder joints. Punch downs are more fool proof but they can jump out while you're punching and they can be a little tedious. I'd guess that punch down and solder would sound more similar with DB25s bringing up the rear.
Todd Wilcox
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- zen recordist
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All the custom TT bays I just had made for me terminate in DL's.
I like the multipin style. keeps things compartmentalized and neat, and you dont have to move the bays to work on something in the wiring. you can also change the terminations, location, or overall wiring scheme with relatively low effort.
Had soldered TT bays for much of my professional life, but went with DL's this time around because of the number of hours and dollars spent dealing with soldered bays built into "transitional" situations....
I like the multipin style. keeps things compartmentalized and neat, and you dont have to move the bays to work on something in the wiring. you can also change the terminations, location, or overall wiring scheme with relatively low effort.
Had soldered TT bays for much of my professional life, but went with DL's this time around because of the number of hours and dollars spent dealing with soldered bays built into "transitional" situations....
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- speech impediment
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I designed a new patchbay and Audio Accessories is doing all the manufacturing. It's absolutely of the highest broadcast quality with complete 110ohm wiring, TT on the front to DSUB on the rear, and QuickSwitch technology for changing both normals and grounding per port. It's a 192 point bay that is 3U in height and has large labeling strips.
You can read all about it here: http://www.audiolot.com/proaudio/sales/products?id=175
We completely sold out of the pre-orders we were taking and are already well into selling the second run which will be delivered by the end of July. These puppies are extremely popular and are rock solid with a lifetime guarantee.
You can read all about it here: http://www.audiolot.com/proaudio/sales/products?id=175
We completely sold out of the pre-orders we were taking and are already well into selling the second run which will be delivered by the end of July. These puppies are extremely popular and are rock solid with a lifetime guarantee.
Joshua Aaron
President/Chief Engineer
AudioLot/AudioLot Studios
Pro Audio Sales & Consulting
http://www.audiolot.com
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President/Chief Engineer
AudioLot/AudioLot Studios
Pro Audio Sales & Consulting
http://www.audiolot.com
Follow us on Facebook For Gear Specials & More
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