Art Pro Audio P16 - XLR Balanced Patch Bay

Product Information

The ART P16 Balanced XLR Patchbay is a 16 channel patch bay. It enables you to connect up to 16 microphones or other XLR-enabled devices. For the most part, you'll be hard pressed to find anything smaller, like an 8 channel patch bay. A 48-point TRS patchbay is probably the most common format for home studio usage. While there are plenty of options out there on the market, the build quality and features still matter.

For example, if the outboard processors are employed in a chain, the signal path necessarily involves multiple A‑D and D‑A conversions as it weaves in and out of the interface and outboard. And the longer the chain, the greater the latency from conversion delays. In contrast, with a patchbay, an identical chain of outboard gear can be plugged together entirely in the analogue domain, so that only one set of converters is required for the start and end of that chain. Hence reduced latency! What To Avoid Thankfully, patchbays don’t require a cable to make a connection if they’re normalled. What is Normalling? Please note that this extended warranty is currently only available on products sold within the UK, EU or EEA, and is subject to the terms and conditions as detailed on the extended warranty certificate provided. Most manufacturers provide patchbay templates to help you line up the text to the connection point. Here’s how the signal flow typically breaks down on a patchbay: TRS—1/4″ TRS patch bays are the type most commonly seen in home studios. TRS stands for tip ring sleeve.

Key Features

Half-normalled means that connecting a cable to the top row of the patch bay won’t break the signal link, but inserting a cable into the bottom row will. Normalling comes in three different forms. Essentially, it controls how the patchbay reacts when a cable is plugged in. Full-Normal DB25 or DSUB—DB25 connectors look like the kind that connect to an old school desktop computer—because they are. The PBR TRS is a 96-point TT patchbay, built for the most demanding of studios; loaded with 96 TT connectors on the front and 12 DB25 connectors on the rear; all audiophile-grade and gold-plated. Per-module mode-switching is accessed via recessed switches on the top panel for configuring normalization modes; the switches are rated to 10,000+ operations without failure. A grounding connection is available on the rear to prevent noisy ground loops. Signal passes from the outputs to the inputs, without the need for a cable. The signal is broken when a cable is plugged into either the top or bottom row. Half-Normal

The DBX PB-48 is a 48-point patch bay that offers half-normalled and de-normalled operation. It has a simple and straightforward design, this budget-priced patch bay is reminiscent of classic DBX pieces that have been studio mainstays for years. However, although the generally acceptable performance places it in the category of other patch bays costing many times as much, some corners have obviously been cut in the design and construction of the PB-48, as we will explain below. Specs and useful features If the engineer needs to insert audio effects like EQ or compression after the mic preamp, they can break the normal by inserting a cable into the patchbay. Most users are impressed with the ART TPatch’s functionality given its price point and its size. Since eight connection points are typically enough for a small home set-up, something as small and compact as the ART TPatch would not make anybody’s home studio space significantly more crowded. The ART P48 is a TRS-equipped 48-point balanced patchbay that’s been said to have reliable performance in a rugged steel chassis. Switchable between normal and half-normal modes, it does away with the “thru” setting found on most other units. Nevertheless, the P48’s combination of flexibility, performance, and the trademark ART durability makes it a worthy contender in the affordably-priced patch bay category. Specs and useful features

Customer Reviews

Those looking for a balanced patch bay with 1/4” connectors would do well to consider the Samson S-patch Plus. The build quality is pretty impressive for the price, and the ability to switch configuration settings from the front panel will definitely help new users well along the road to familiarity. Even though the printed configuration diagrams on the top panel make this patch bay ideally suited to beginners, it will continue to be useful in your studio as your needs become more complex. Sometimes spelled “ patch bay” or “patch panel ,” (Wiki links) it’s an electronic device that allows you to rout incoming audio signals to any one of several physical outputs. None—Pro studio patchbays are often configured for maximum flexibility. This means that big studios with complex systems often wire their own patchbays with soldered connections. This allows you to “mult” a signal by plugging a cable into the top row and route it to another input. The original signal continues to the original input, as well as the “multed” input, creating a duplicate signal. Non-Normal The open frame that leaves the circuitry exposed doesn’t inspire much confidence, and neither does the use of a single plastic nut for affixing the individual modules to the frame.

Channels 1-4 can be full-normalled to channels 5-8 using DIP switches located on the side of the NANOPATCH M. Most modern patchbays use tiny telephone (TT), or bantam connectors on the front. Although, some patchbays use 1/4” TRS or even XLR connectors. The rear typically uses DB-25 connectors to save space, but some units use 1/4” TRS or XLR. Normalled and half-normalled configurations provide a signal link between the top and bottom rows of the patchbay without the need for additional cabling. A typical setup would be to have four instruments connected to channels 1-4 and four mixer channels connected to channels 5-8. A normalled (or full-normalled) patchbay means connecting a cable to either the top or bottom inlet will break the connection immediately.The StudioPatch 9625 has all the functionalities that most users will need. For instance, users who needed the DB25 rear connections interface were pleased to know that it works for DSUB cables. These bays are typically used to move single XLR connections to a more convenient location for direct patching. The ART P16 is a handy studio utility for relocating XLR inputs. If your gear features rear mounted XLR inputs and rerouting is a pain, consider the P16 to move your XLR access closer to hand. ART TPatch

For example, the line level outputs of a bank of mic preamps are typically normalled to the line level inputs of the analog-to-digital converter in a pro studio setup.

Warranty Info

They are typically used in recording studios and PA systems, where you might need to make it easy to route various audio sources to any available signal processing devices. For customers in outlying areas of the country, the price of the Extended Warranty may be marginally higher, due to the potential for higher collection and redelivery transport costs. TRS cables can carry the balanced line level signals that come from the output of mic preamps, outboard gear or hardware like synths, samplers and drum machines. For instance, there’s no point in connecting every studio mic line output to every channel mic input. You could normal these connections, so the signal flows without having to make a patch.