How Does Patchbay Normalling Work? With Examples

[@leftofcenter4]

Outstanding patch bay tutorial.. Best in class.. you win the youtube Oscar🤸🏽‍♀️👍🏽🥂

[@ShaneAnthony316]

This deserves a million views. It is by far the best explanation I’ve ever seen on normalling in patchbays.

[@321Welkom]

agree!

[@jan5th576]

same here!

[@Peterjdjdjdjdjfjfj]

Agree!!

[@LaliladaAnamina]

Agreed

[@pco2004]

Finally! A video that uses graphic illustrations/animations to explain everything all in 6m! Bravo.

[@jazmanaut]

This is easily the best explanation about this topic, i ever seen. And i have been in studiobusiness over 30 years!

[@muteqx]

That's patchbays finally explained and understood... in six minutes! Thanks!

[@tuministeriotv]

After spending hours reading I bumped in to this video. You just literally saved my live.

[@ianengineer]

I teach audio recording and this is the patch bay video I’ve been looking for. The animations are incredibly helpful for illustrating the signal flow to-and-from the connections. Thank you!

[@BennyTheBusker]

@TeDubbs: Excellent video! Informative, easy to see visual diagrams with clearly spoken descriptions and explanations. No talking heads, waving hysterical hands, stupid fast edits, distracting transitions, irrelevant personal comments or annoying background music. If only more presenters were like this. The best video about patchbays on KZbin. One of the best videos about anything!

[@jay1070]

Perfect video. Thanks!

[@McgeMatt]

low key i’m kinda glad this video is underrated because this what basic “producers” will never learn. great information thank you!

[@scottc.6504]

Following suit, but WHY DOES THIS VIDEO NOT HAVE A BAGILLION VIEWS! Thank you so much!

[@NoQualmsTheArtist]

Best explanation of a patchbay ever! 💯

[@slightlybelowaveragedrummer]

Thank you, this is very helpful.

[@juneaftn]

Best explanation I've seen on youtube. Especially the internal mechanism part.

[@Modorange322]

Very good explanation, mostly supported by your graphical explanations. I’m still looking for more information about why you needed to have TRS plugs rather than just regular TS plugs

[@TeDubbs]

@@Modorange322 You don't. The purpose of TRS is to carry a balanced audio signal which cancels our any noise picked up in transit. A TS will work just fine in a patch bay if noise isn't a concern.

[@alanmclean2713]

Best explanation I've seen showing the 3 modes for patch bays. I dug out some old Neutrik patch bays which I could never utilise correctly and I am now ready to connect my old analogue mixer to my Apollo 8 interface with 8 direct out from my mixer along with 8 returns from my Apollo and finally my outboard gear will utilise the remaining 8 available slots on the Patchbay using the half normal mode. Thank you so much for a brilliant tutorial. Regards Alan

[@Makebelieve123]

Finally I get it ! Well explained. My head no longer hurts :)

[@RhythmNotes]

Best video for learning how patchbays work. Thank you!

[@ThizOne]

The animated-visual representations really helped me out with getting the most out of my patchbay and what the most useful setup of it would be

[@shanehuneycutt5905]

The best explanation of patch bays I have ever seen! in less than 7 mins... Awesome job!

[@joho-z]

This is really, really, really good! I'm learning about this, but this video just clarifies it through great visuals.

[@danielgharmann]

Simply the best video out there, when it comes to helping you understand how patchbays work. Thank you!

[@witnessesstudioshouston4487]

Wonderful job, I do believe after watching this. That other people people videos I should see purposely make it look like it’s hard complicated. Thank you so much for showing us much appreciated and it is the best video I’ve ever seen.

[@ProckGnosis]

Best patchbay run through and explanation I've seen! Great graphics smartly used that really help make the presentation. Thanks for the effort!

[@industryandaudio]

One of the best videos on patch bays period!! Please make more content like this. Your page will blow up 🙏

[@mikesimms427]

Very well done! So happy I came across this video after going down the youtube patchbay rabbit hole. Best video for folks who need a refresher or are new to patchbays. Great visuals, pacing, and explanations.

[@hallotparson1790]

Finally! An explanation I can actually understand. Thank you!

[@daima8934]

best audio and video explanation, i have ever seen

[@usualatoms4868]

I have a couple of Switchcraft patchbays I got for free but the cables were just brutally cut so I have to figure out how to solder them. This video helps a lot to figure out what I want and how to do it. Thank you!

[@victorinoloco]

Thanks thanks thanks!! The best explanation about patchbay

[@domingokite]

My studio operations professor showed our class this video this break down patch bay normally and it is immesely helpful. thank you for such a clear and concise video on the topic

[@LaliladaAnamina]

The best and easiest explanation I’ve seen, Thankyou

[@i5285]

I've seen plenty vids on patchbays, but this one is superior, thank you!

[@neverislandsongs9171]

I have seen many patch bay videos, but this is the best one. Thanks!

[@bdespain11]

Fantastic explanation WITH animation!

[@sergeysvishchev2697]

Thanks very much! This is the best video I've seen!

[@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet]

This is by far the best patchbay explaination on the entire internet! Thank you! Like and subscribed! I just set up my all my old rack gear with a Samson S-Patch Plus 48 Point Balanced Patchbay, and this video helped tremendously!

[@chrisnicholas824]

Incredible explanation. Great work! Finally makes sense.

[@joshlawrence8091]

this was a fantastic video!!! extremely clear explanation, but what sets this apart was the clean, clear and simple graphics. great job!!!

[@romeodivineband]

Incredible. No other explanation of the topic out there like it, hands down.

[@cezairemusic]

Amazing thank you, really clear!

[@marcokielholz2474]

I agree, best video for the topic! Thank you.

[@centr0]

best explanation on youtube... thank you.

[@DepthsOfOblivion666]

This video is amazing!! I had no idea what normaling is even with so many videos and peoples explanation. This cleared it up so much

[@LosFicosMusic]

Wow amazing work

[@andrewgarley1400]

Excellent video. I wired 96 way normalised times 7 bays many years ago, I remember all that soldering lol

[@LaterHolmes]

Best video on the subject by far.

[@irorosun6990]

Awesome! Visual representation as you've made it is just the best way to learn patch bays. Many videos out there lack some clarity. You've nailed it. Thanks so much!

[@lukejames854]

Unreal, spent a good 3 hours on gearspace summing up all the possibilties of how these works. This summed up my conclusions so aptly. Wouldve been good t o go into the problem areas of a patchbay and how it can damage gear .

[@insan0r]

That random dolphin cracked me up 😅. Great explanation 🎉

[@anthonymascarenhas356]

This is so fantastic.. Revealing & Demystifying the normalling concepts. Thank you

[@frubo_ssg]

One of the best explanations! Well done, thank you.

[@Onblusbaar_Brah_]

Best Patchbay Video! Thank you so much for this!🔥🔥🔥

[@prodigalretrod]

Excellent explainer, so much easier than wrapping my head around static diagrams. The close-up footage of the jacks is great too. The humble patch bay is a pretty clever invention really!

[@MarcoPolux]

There is no better video explaining how a patchbay work. 👍

[@MrMuppetbaby]

Nicely done and you have great potential as a voice over artist or this is the best computer AI voice thing I have ever heard. :)

[@SkeletonTelevisionMusic]

Thank you very much.

[@eduardomarroquin1471]

You helped me so much, the explanation with this animation made me learn how it works, cuz sume times a book isnt enough, u got a new sub

[@hybridsoldier10137]

This video was extremely helpful, your way of illustrating the signal flow was very clear. Thank you

[@litorne]

Thank you very much for these explanations and illustrations!

[@PodcastMeister]

Well done there! This is by far the most informative, clear and super easy to understand explanation on how patchbays work.

[@brucehathcockmusic]

Thankfully thanking you

[@galadin_]

Best patchbay explanation I've found so far! thanks!!

[@markuskrebser1128]

Very well done, it was a joy to follow your explanations.

[@ekaksana]

A proper visual aid. Well done

[@TannerByTheSea]

AWESOME 👍🏼

[@daaaMook]

Great video!!! Thanks for the examples 🎉

[@TALKCalgary]

Thank-you! You are a true master of explanation.

[@infestedalien]

This video was very appreciated! Thanks!

[@Thearcherfl]

Great examples! Great video

[@jamesleonarddesign]

This was incredibly informative thank you

[@ManCalledMif]

Amazing explanation. Thank you. 🎉

[@lifelies]

Perfect thank you very much for such easy explanation

[@sandyturner1911]

Thanks for this. It's very helpful!

[@rockon2151]

THANK YOU!!! So well explained!

[@hildevanham1311]

top video -super easy explanation!

[@jazz5matazz]

Thank you so much for making this video!! The animations are top-notch! Will be sharing this with all my fellow newbie audio engineers :)

[@DavidRodriguez-by3bp]

This is insane !! thank you so much !

[@yeojboy]

Very thorough!

[@nateonearth]

Thank you so much. This was perfect!

[@marcusburnett890]

This is a great visual representation for those of us who need to be shown rather than told, thanks! However, as I try to wrap my head around this still I have a stumbling block… In your second “normaled” example you have the IN of COMP 1 going to a blank row next to it on top, and picking up two spaces later on the OUT side. How does that IN of comp one skip over a space in the bay to the out of comp 1 without any patching? The same applies to the spacing between comp 2. I thought I had this understood until I saw this. It looks like In “normal” mode all connections between devices need to be zigg-zagged but this threw me off and now I’m confused again 😂

[@TeDubbs]

The Comp 1 IN & OUT may look like 2 separate units in the animation, but in reality they are the input and output of the same compressor. The INs and OUTs represent a cable connecting the IN or OUT of the outboard gear to the back of the patchbay at that location. Where you see an IN in the animation, that signal is being passed into the compressor. The compressor processes the signal, which is returned to wherever the OUT is plugged into the back of the patchbay, which could be anywhere. There is nothing special about where each piece of gear is plugged into the bay. In these examples, the signal generally flows left to right, but it could just as simply flow right to left, or zig zag back and forth depending on where each piece of gear was connected. The patchbay only controls connections between vertical pairs of INs and OUTs. There are no internal connections made between adjacent columns. Hopefully that helps.

[@marcusburnett890]

@@TeDubbs I think I’m 90% there, I’m sure when my PB shows up I’ll botch something getting confused at least once or twice but I got a diagram drawn out so hopefully I’ll get it right haha. I have a pretty simple chain for now so should be good, thanks again for this it wound everything down in a much more concise way 👍🏼👊🏼

[@mrkeeny]

Really well done!

[@a.arokiasamysamy4965]

Nice explanation, thanks.

[@chasesabari420]

This is greattt one question, I have that same uphoria interface, how do you utilize/connect the two inputs on the front and the main outs with patchbay?

[@hossamfouda1510]

Thx for amazing tutorial video, however I do have a doubt somthing not clear for me, whatever outboard gears let's say I have one type of compresor and aslo eq, only I can get connections from the out puts from and can't do input as well, which mean not allowed to make in and out each simultaneously. I hope me question is cleared.

[@yungronibeats]

Does it matter if patchbays are normalled or non normalled ??

[@brandenbrown2105]

Now I finally understand lol.Great video!

[@Bigcraig3510]

Awesome video!

[@theAristocrap]

Great work!

[@nyrbsamoht]

I have a half normalled patch bay for my outboard reverb (yamaha spx900) - its output is on the back of the top row - and the input is directly below it on the bottom row (so in effect - it is normalled to itself - its own output going to its input - a crazy sort of loop) but Im thinking this is okay - because I dont actually have anything plugged into the input right? as soon as I plug somthing into the reverbs input (front panel bottom row) - that half normalled connection is now broken right? I just want to have my reverb input and output together to save room on the patch bay - a safer way I have done it previously is have the input on its own number - away from the output. I hope this makes sense!

[@Jack_Sparrow_1]

@TeDubbs Thanks for the great video. What about the impedance when using half-normal (splitting the mic signal into two)?

[@TeDubbs]

The input impedence when running two or more pieces of gear in parallel will be lowered, but input impedence of these devices is normally so high it doesn't present an issue. As long as you aren't splitting the signal 10+ times, you should be just fine. Do note that you shouldn't be be splitting the raw mic signal, only the line level signal post-preamp. Mic and instrument levels are so low to begin with that splitting them isn't a great idea.

[@Jack_Sparrow_1]

@@TeDubbs Thanks!

[@meckel734]

Crazy good video! Thanks

[@JesusPiano]

I wonder if its possible - I think is not - to connect the "combo ins" of an audio interface, via some sort of "cable patch" (if this would even exist) or something like it or whatever other method, in a way that said combo jack in its connected separately into two inputs of a Patchbay, making this way available for separate both ins connection, a microphone and a line connection in order of not having to reach behind the interface fitted into a rack, as needed?

[@TeDubbs]

I have thought about this myself a lot actually. The interfaces with combo jacks process the signal the same regardless of weather TRS or XLR is plugged in, so you could get identical behavior by, for example, always using TRS, and plugging microphones in via an XLR to TRS adapter. The issue with doing that or your idea is phantom power. It's never a good idea to run phantom through TRS, even though it would technically work. (This isnt only because phantom isnt expected over TRS, but also due to the fact that you can short circuit phantom power when plugging or unplugging a TRS connector - there is a good reason why XLR is 3 separate pins) I think the best way to go is to divide up your inputs based on what you for see yourself needing. If you mic everything, only leave one or two TRS inputs accessible on the front of your patchbay. If you're recording 5 synths at a time direct in, then you probably want most of your inputs to be TRS and only a leave a few XLR.

[@gustavocontreras6202]

Great video 👍👍

[@stratfanstl]

Great visuals.

[@ardkok9483]

Great video!

[@riloh58]

Just to clarify, is a “non-normal” connection the same as a “thru” connection? As far as I am aware there are three connection types: normal, half normal and thru so I am guessing thru and non-normal are the same (but would like to know for sure). That makes sense to me. Great video. Clearly explains how to use the different configurations and why you would want to. Patch bays seem so simple (and I guess they are) but it’s taking me a while to nail it down and get my head around it properly. They are incredibly useful and exactly what I’ve been looking for to make my outboard gear more accessible.

[@TeDubbs]

Yep, you're right; thru and non-normalled refer to the same thing. The connections are wired straight thru, front panel to back, without using the normalling switches on the jacks. The initial setup can be daunting due to the sheer number of options available, but once you settle on something it really does improve the workflow. Much less energy needs to be spent changing signal routing around.

[@riloh58]

@@TeDubbs - Excellent. Thank you. Just about to have another go at deciding how to route everything with my new patchbay. You’re right, deciding how I want it by default is the trickiest part. However, I will be able to change it if something isn’t working for me. So handy and I can’t believe I didn’t think of doing this earlier.

[@Johnnyfivekicks]

I finally understand….thank you!!!

[@johnbranch17]

This is the best patchbay video i ve seen and i think i have watched at least 20... but i still have questions... if you can help it will mean a lot... so for instance i have a moog that has an unbalanced output so i will use a TS cable to go into the patchbay (the patchbay is balanced) what cables should i use next a balanced cable to connect it from the patchbay to the interface or an unbalanced one because i used the TS cable from the moog ? what about when patching it on the front? my mind sais that i should respect the unbalanced outputs of different synts and when they are connected to the patchbay all cables from there should be TRS am i right? what about HZ inputs on an audio interface should that use balanced cables to connect it to a patchbay? Thanks

[@TeDubbs]

I would say use TRS where possible. The TS going into the TRS patchbay is not a concern. However, an even better solution would be to use a DI box, which gives you a balanced signal from an unbalanced one. This is preferable to a high-Z input. In that case the chain would be Moog -> DI -> patchbay. Hope that helps!

[@johnbranch17]

@@TeDubbs it does, thank you

[@ProducersVault]

Great information

[@chrisbistrishki]

Excellent visuals! I've always wondered though, what the case is with phantom power when using TRS patchbays? In this example we're talking about a mic out going into a patchbay (as it's a very very common example seen everywhere), but I find mixed opinions and views on wether or not patchbays are able to carry phantom power and if using 48V through a TRS connection rather than an XLR one is in some way dangerous or not recommended. Thoughts? Cheers!

[@TeDubbs]

That's a great question. Electrically speaking, TRS and XLR are identical. They both have 3 conductors (wires), and so can both carry the same signals, including phantom power. However, because on TRS connectors, all contacts are axially aligned, the possibility exists for a short circuit when plugging or unplugging the connector. This isn't a problem on XLR because each conductor gets its own pin, and there is no possibility of plugging a pin into the wrong socket or bridging two sockets with the same pin. Phantom power should be off when plugging or unplugging any connected gear, which means this wouldn't be a problem in a perfect world. But since we aren't perfect and sometimes forget to turn off the phantom power, it's best to only use XLR cables to transmit.

[@chrisbistrishki]

@@TeDubbs thanks for the quick response, you’re awesome! yeah, that’s how I imagine it too… so the patchbay itself isn’t the problem, but rather the danger or messing up when patching things in the front of the patchbay with phantom power on, right? In that case it’s probably okay to have a bunch of XLR to TRS cables (XLR end for the mics, TRS for the back of the patchbay) conected at all times for easier routing so long as one doesn’t change the signal path on the front of the patchbay whilst having 48V engaged? Or would you just recommend an XLR patchbay and how would you incorporate that in conjunction with a TRS one for the rest of the line level gear patching? Cheers!