I was BULLIED Into This - Flock Audio Patch

[@Ironbellaudio]

It seems like 5 minutes ago you were sticking on your Trace Audio label!!! 😂 😂

[@ColtCapperrune]

In reality, it was a week ago, I knew this change was coming. But I also think that patchbay label is one of the coolest things anyone can get for their studio, so I wanted to make a video on it, even though I was switching it up.

[@timgosden5519]

My thoughts exactly! 😂

[@abzee733]

See my comment on his last video. Get a CB Electronics XPatch. Better quality in Hardware and Software for less money. Had both systems in my studio and the CB Electronics ist the clear winner here. They just have much less marketing, I guess it is because they are in the pro market for decades and they just don‘ care.

[@Studio22mix]

30 bucks down the drain 😂

[@ColtCapperrune]

Surely it’s not possible that I’m just making videos about things I think are useful to people lol

[@dpinskey]

For the budget minded, Erica Synths makes a Matrix Mixer that gives you 16 in/16 out via 3.5mm patch points + 2 in/2 out 6.3 mm jacks that can be switch up to 254 program settings via MIDI. A lot less sexy but doesn’t require software or a computer to operate. You can also buffer input levels at 3 attenuation setting

[@bobchris11]

I was on the fence. You’ve pointed out the few issues I had. Thanks for the quick review

[@romodrummer]

Dude... By the time you finish that ATMOS room ATMOS is gonna be obsolete technology 🤣

[@morbidmanmusic]

It already is. They just don't know it yet.

[@InnerVisions68]

A friend of mine has not one, but two Flock Audio Patch XT units in his home studio, each one 96-in/96-out, for a total of 192-in/192-out … So envious of that capability. What a luxury, and what a workflow game changer.

[@arock]

Are the XT units connected directly to each other to enable building chains of gear across both? How many such paths? That’s my biggest concern with having more than one Flock unit.

[@leshawn1977]

Welcome man your workflow will be easy and no more changing patch cables

[@engmix]

If you hit cntrl + click the top of each row on "Path" you can rename them. Nice little thing to be able to do for organization.

[@Funkybassuk]

I like Gator rack stuff. They’ve sorted me out so many times over the years. Youngsters should really have a look at their studio desks.

[@genephillips4809]

The Flock certainly takes away from the physical mess. Hefty price tag for a patch bay though 😂

[@ColtCapperrune]

As I reply to these comments, I’m literally sitting here looking at how much cleaner the rack looks without 24 cables hanging off the front of it

[@ktreier]

I’m old school. I like colored wires going everywhere. Keep in mind the cost of the snakes is probably as much as Flock if you use Jumperz cables.

[@bzone-p2o]

It’s about time, never to late, welcome to the club. Original user of the Flock here, you will love it. Get into the software take your pictures of your gear, add them to your session. Have fun! He told me at NAMM you were going to do a video .

[@UpliftedProductions]

It was bound to happen sooner or later. I told you awhile ago this was the way to go. I was an early user and supporter of the Flock Audio Patch from jump, it's a must have when you have studio hardware. Welcome to the club Colt!

[@aeiplanner]

You can also use shielded CAT6A cables and a small $25 adapter that converts DB25 to RJ45. I did exactly this for a friend who had gear in various parts of his studio but wanted to run everything through the Flock.

[@nicefish10]

The Jumpers cables I got from Sweetwater years ago are still in use every day and they are incredibly nice cables. Easily the best bang for buck

[@jcgradymusic4201]

I just got the same one too. Game Changer is definitely the word. So fast, clean, and seamless. Expensive, but if you have a bit of gear, it’s a no brainer. Worth every penny. 👌

[@jcgradymusic4201]

My only complaint so far is that the Patch App isn’t resizable, as far as the font size, etc. It’s small and hard to see even on a 27” monitor. The 55” TV monitor I just added took care of it though. I highly recommend that too. Quality TVs are cheap these days. 👍

[@flyhi1ghkomp]

Got the flock for a while. I like it a lot for convenience and sound quality. Clean sound, but for mastering, some reports (not sure TapeOp?) say the signals do not null 100. The software evolves quite slowly, but it is more stable now. My advice is to book the flock through a local dealer for trial, just to if see the software work smoothly on your setup. Do it on a small scale change. It is no fun to mess with already working patchbay connection just for the sake of using flock. I really hope the maker can make the flocks more modular designed. Mine is 64i/o and it will cost more to add another one and yet 16 i/o have to be sacrificed on both flocks for interconnection so they can talk to each other. The maker provides upgrade programs but a redesign and more forethought would have make the flock more expandable by inserting an expansion card or something. The flocks are released more than 5 years there must be some plan for mk2 right? Perhaps the pcb stay more or less the same so to have a 192i/o need to stack 3 pcbs with a bridge in the chassis. I don't know I do not open mine and I am purely guessing.

[@zyongooden5902]

Bro, I love my Flocks! I am also happy to see you’re using the Jumperz. My entire studio is cabled with Jumperz. Blessed!

[@chantduplantier9871]

Glad you got one. I love mine. Had the LT and had to upgrade to the Patch a week later once I realized what I could do with it!

[@Studio22mix]

When are we going to see the other room? I would love to see the building process 😊

[@izzydavis4188]

i was up all night watching these so I was happy to see this

[@soulchorea]

Hey you should really look into the Flock Audio Patch

[@peterbondmusic]

I love my Flock Patch! Glad you were 'bullied' into it :). You'll want to upgrade to the DX software: Recall patches automatically on session load / colour coding and other organization features / full recall of your gear with photos / control from your iPad or phone, and more... My unit’s fan never comes on (and it’s set to the default where it comes on when needed). At first this was an issue but I gave the unit a rack space above and below and I’ve never had the fan come on since.

[@grandtetone]

Amazing workflow optimizer!

[@JimCardoza]

Flock yeah

[@ColtCapperrune]

😂😂😂

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

So glad you got one! if i ever had steady work i'd get one. for now i sold my patch bay and just use the i/o from my apollos for my rack gear and monitoring. in any case i hated working with a patch bay in my setup. mainly because i had routing for mixing and for recording and it meant switching half the cables around each time depending on what i was doing. The flock would be perfect for the kind of hybrid set up i have. though i recently cut back on some of my hardware that wasn't being used so i can just run stuff off an interface.

[@kidnavajo]

Gooood lord this is incredible.🤯

[@bigmike2149]

Cool video Colt! I bought the Flock 32 channel and ended up returning it for an Orion 32+ Gen. 4 that essentially does the same thing. Absolutely love the Antelope stuff. Plus it gave me additional 64 channels of MADI that I run my Pulse MX.

[@bennettadriano2954]

completely different pieces of gear. flocks are all analog routing and while the Orion is great piece, it adds ad da conversion with each routing you create, the flocks don't.

[@mixhits9306]

Flock it... I guess I'm going to have to join the Flocking club, too.

[@ColtCapperrune]

Flock yea bruh

[@Rhuggins]

I want one but its flocking expensive! If I was a pro I’d just invest in it though. As a hobbyist, its hard to justify when I could buy a used Manley Vari Mu or a 5500 instead. Or maybe YOLO #noflocksgiven

[@jnrstudio6566]

I wanna get, for my studio, the LT 32. Thank you Colt for this video; you convinced me even more to get one.

[@MasteredbyLu]

Glad to see that gator is upping the standard for Studio furniture

[@jongreenhalgh]

it's about time for flock's sake

[@ColtCapperrune]

😂😂😂

[@g_and_kikos_studio]

I just got of one those gator racks last last week. I love it. Did have to drill a couple holes for the sliding drawer but no prob

[@Studio22mix]

The Flock is definitely awesome, specially on the mixbus or a mastering chain. Nice piece of gear 👌🏼

[@outwestinc]

They should've named it the Flock Shepard.

[@ColtCapperrune]

😂😂😂

[@1loveMusic2003]

That a boy! Flock baby!

[@TheCyenceLab]

Hey! You should get the Flock Patch. JAHJAHJAH. Enjoy Your insights and knowledge, even though I no longer enjoy music as I used to. Enjoy your videos though.

[@AlexPettyMusic]

Love my Flock Patch!!

[@ColtCapperrune]

Flock yea!

[@ktreier]

I can’t believe there isn’t an impedance change (Mic to Preamp) through the patch, but I’ll take your word for it Colt.

[@mixc8]

I was looking at the Flock a few years back as well. I was comparing it to the Dangerous Music Liaison.

[@willcarter1210]

It couldn’t replace my whole patch bay setup, but good lord, what a Dangerous Liaison killer!

[@Vxlli]

Bro this is crazy 🤯🤯

[@DaleNorth]

I like my Flock Patch but I will say that it seems better for my analog outboard and preamps and so on. I have mine on all of those for easy routing and options but it makes way less sense to me for my synths and other instruments into inputs. So I have two good ol standard patch bays that I use alongside my Patch and that really seems to be the best setup for all my gear.

[@martijn_nl]

The organized trs patchbays with the trace audio labels started to make sense and now this! 😂🤣

[@EdThorne]

I use my Flock in Emergency mode, and it never comes on, even running almost full capacity I/O routings! Welcome to the club! Just in time for Karno Sepia to come out!

[@dylankaminkow5411]

man i think of the flock so much, but after your last video about the hardware and software. I am so worried about support for it dropping and having thousands of dollars worth of paper weight. that being said it seems like such an awesome way to integrate hardware into an ITB set up. but like you said in the other video, software stops being supported, you have to rebuy. I will keep an eye on how it progresses because it def is the way of the future. just not ready for such a huge monetary investment on patching with the risk of support termination or incompatible upgrades. that being said god damn i want one it would be so much easier switching from tracking configuration to mixing without repatching cables. ughhhhh, great problem to have that technology improves so much so quickly though. thanks for such an honest and comprehensive review! your channel is an awesome resource for folks like me, keep up the great work!

[@dylankaminkow5411]

also to be clear i dont wanna talk bad about the product. I have always thought this was the future the same way the Tegler and Wes Audio have plug in controls for hardware units for smooth recall building the best of digital and analog. JUST SAYING after the video you did about hardware and software and thinking of the situation I am in now needing to upgrade my computer AND converters and that cost, i worry about the inevitable loss of support for this device vs my return on investment. Obviously I hope my studio becomes more and more profitable so it could justify this kind of investment regardless of needing to replace it some years from now.

[@shawnwait6207]

WELL ITS ABOUT TIME ... FLOCK seems amazing. I'd love one but like you said.. going from trs to flock is a masssssive investment.

[@charlesrocks]

I’ve had my eye on this and the Ferrofish for quite a while.

[@Neo-jx8bw]

Take a look at the other options. CB Electronics, Anatal, Wolff

[@Scar-afton2024]

To awesome ❤

[@ktreier]

Your video makes me feel like all we studio owners appear to do is constantly decide our wiring needs to be redone.

[@AlexOnAudio]

I feel like I'm constantly rewiring mine... lol

[@ktreier]

@@AlexOnAudio I did mine every month for a year, and then I stopped, so I could focus on making music.

[@csjaugiedog]

Incredibly AWESOME !!!!!

[@014Marines]

Once I get enough hardware this will 100% go into my rac

[@p.m-audio]

the genius thing is , there is no converting happens....thats so cool . i thought that this is not possible

[@JayfkProductions876]

Once the A Room's done do you plan setting up a B Room for Renting out, if I had that Space that's one thing i'de do or maybe turn it into a multi purpose filming space 🤔

[@headshakerzmusic]

Nice review but at 11:27 you said diginal instead of digital. Just found it funny.😂 Keep doing your thing!

[@axturn]

I'm curious about how you think about heat. The MBT for example gets really, really hot. I once asked RND what the recommendations where regarding ventilation (after seeing a couple of YT-videos stacking their gear without space in between), and the answer was no surprise I guess, but you think it's safe? "We typically recommend at least 1RU space between our rack units for ventilation. As our devices all utilize "Class A" circuitry, the tradeoff is an increased amount of energy dissipated as heat; heat is probably the main determining factor in component health and lifetime. Our gear is spec'd with components of a pretty wide temperature maximum, so the effects of heat may not show up for a very long time, but the simple answer is that excess heat will shorten component life. " Maybe something to make a video about. Cheers

[@risingphoenix1484]

LMFAO. You took my advice from the last video. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ColtCapperrune]

🤘🏻😂🙏🏻

[@risingphoenix1484]

@@ColtCapperrune I told you, you’d thank me later…. Wait until you start taking pictures on settings for your gear…total recall. Not to many times i ever say something like hardware is a game changer but the Flock is.

[@demonkoryu]

It's actually much cheaper, and more convenient, to use a high quality audio interface than the Flock Patch. The mind boggles.

[@AmiliaCaraMia]

Unless you go Lynx Aurora

[@demonkoryu]

@@AmiliaCaraMia Well, true😅

[@birdshape]

My main issue with a product like this is that there's no service manual, the firmware is not open source, and at some point flock will sunset support. I'd want to know I could keep it working for decades without ever having to reverse engineer the thing

[@ColtCapperrune]

Definitely something to consider with any digitally controlled hardware. Which is why historically I’ve not been interested in these things. I’ll be very curious to see how long this situation lasts. The company seems to be doing well, but just like with all computers, and interfaces, eventually, they are not supported.

[@birdshape]

@@ColtCapperrune If Flock were to make a promise of open sourcing the firmware when they sunset support, I'd buy the thing in an instant

[@johanarens9798]

Thanks for sharing, this is an amazing piece of hardware. You have the flexibility of the routing in your DAW with your HW units. Speaking of which, do you see any value if we could get a plugin to automate the patch change in the song ? Like in part1, let's use patch #1, for part2 we use patch #3, part1 we go back to patch #1.

[@crescentsoundstudios]

It's the first of its kind. Let's wait until all the bugs get settled. And the price! Not quite there yet.

[@pedalscapes]

Very Cool! 😎

[@g3cd]

I'd love to HAVE the Flock XT, but I can't be bullied enough to throw 13 grand at it 😱

[@videditorEB1]

Rockin that Method hat. Nice.

[@jcgronlier8427]

Curious why'd you put your x16 at the bottom of the rack? Great channel!

[@XChristianNoirX]

I would guess that the sound difference is more noticeable if you use a dynamic mic

[@ColtCapperrune]

I did not test a dynamic microphone, but I certainly will now that you bring it up

[@XChristianNoirX]

@@ColtCapperrune yep.. Think about how a buffer at the beginning of a pedal board alters the sound of a guitar with passive pickups. I would *guess* that it's the same idea. The question is... Can the buffers in the muthaflocker be turned off per channel?... Then the analog path quality in the matrix would be more critical... But it might not even make a noticeable difference, especially with a short cable run. Anyhow, try it out, and if you don't like the results, give those muthaflockers a buzz and see what they have to say. (I think I'm having too much fun with the name 😂)

[@Preachmusic4u]

Interesting gear. Seems like a similar concept to Dante.

[@Kedar7192]

Will you do a review on the SPL Channel One MK3 Premium Mono Channel Strip? Also, do you find yourself mixing/mastering with the vitalizer and fusion?

[@allenlocke1935]

Great video ! I couldn't help but notice the location of your Apollo. Is it getting adequate ventilation sandwiched in there like that? No worries , aye?

[@Somebodysomewhere2]

Hi colt , thanks for doing the channel ! Can i sak regarding the flock , if you load ,delete or swap the hardware in patch app dx have you experienced an issue where sometimes the stereo hardware is only audible on one channel or doesn’t load (not audible ) at all ,stu

[@Chaz_r]

Hey Colt! As always love to hear your opinion on gear. Question, what are your thoughts on Karno Sepia? Do you think that this could be an alternative to patch bays and outboard gear?

[@sideast]

So is the 32 in/out enough ??? do you find yourself outgrowing this in near future ? what is the quality of the fan ? can you change it out ?

[@minothi]

Im curious of the same thing. Id like to have all my 16 inserts from my mixer go to and from the Flock and the rest for outboard stuff. But now that my Flock is full and I still have a few additional preamps and some more outboard…I have to get another Flock, otherwise its incompatible unless repatching manually. hmmm.

[@jacques_music]

Hey man love your videos, what patch cables are you using?

[@ericplante9079]

Cool stuff! You need a « game changer » counter 😉. Thanks for this!

[@vedmakesmusic]

Hey!!.. just wanted to know, since you record in a small room for now bcaz certainly your big room is under development, Do you give discounts to ur clients since its a small room u r recording?.. bcaz every room sounds different... I think u Should also make a Video on how to handle different clients😊. Ur content does help me Alott for mixing and making music. Amazing content.. Love it!

[@simeonmatthews4584]

I sold my SSL Fusion to buy a RND MBT. I miss the separation of the SSL. Do you ever use both of them on your 2 bus

[@ColtCapperrune]

Not at the same time. The MBT makes it on the mix bus of probably 80 or 85% of songs, and the SSL takes over the rest.

[@CambioDeTono]

I'm waiting on the SPL Channel 3 video.. Or did I miss it ? lol

[@MathewJerryKalapura]

Hey Colt, just checking in on something. Did using the Flock change your thoughts on digitally controlled hardware?

[@scottmartin5004]

I was saying to myself after your Seismic Audio post, huh I wonder why he hasn't Flock'd yet...

[@FRANKRICECOLD209]

Looks Cool

[@dspoet1]

I thought you were not gonna with a software patchbay??

[@LBJedi]

Obviously construction timelines are unpredictable, but what’s the expected date for you getting back in your A room?

[@quirkyfunguy]

I'd be really curious to hear your thoughts on the new Behringer Neve clones that have been announced recently

[@BergpeakStudios]

Will there be a Review of the new SPL Channel Strip? :)

[@bennettadriano2954]

Nice!!! I own 3 of them and would never go back to regular patch bays

[@JAMPROSOUND]

I am amazed that in 2024, such a some device is still fetching such high prices. While the device is serving a critical function, the tech involved is nothing new. Something like a dbx SC32 would do a similar job.

[@ThaRealDawn]

Do you think the Flock at say $3k is better than just buying say a new interface (I have 4 Lynx Aurora N's) to run direct being most DAW have a way to run hardware in and out like plugins? Isn't the reason of a patchbay is to make up the fact you do not have enough direct I/O? The cost to add 8-16 direct line with Lynx Interfaces or AD/DA is about the same as the Flock. The software on Lynx is almost a digital patchbay in itself. I've been thinking of the flock, but I'm not sure if its better to just buy another interface through AES/ADAT etc... Please let me know your thoughts as I'm kind of on the fence with it. I fell the investment is better for another Lynx and keep direct line I/O!

[@yetkangwong1077]

Hi Colt thanks for this video,I have a question.Currently I have a Patch XT and Is making noises when I track through my hardware. Flock Audio suggested to get The Patch CX so that the hardware will be cleaner when tracking, the other option they gave me was to run through a preamp through my hardware which did solve my issue. Do you currently have that issue of having noise when tracking?

[@Neo-jx8bw]

Soloution: Sell the Patch XT and get a CB Electronics XPatch-96

[@tikkorome5752]

"It's still analog" doesn't mean it doesn't change the sound. DIGITAL is the world where nothing is gained nor lost. In analog, EVERYTHING has an effect on the sound. I have some expensive custom Caulfield Cables TT patch cables and I have some Hosa cables I bought thinking "cables are cables" that undeniably cut a ton of highs when used. If the internal patches are made with cheap conductors or poor quality manufacturing, it could easily change the sound.

[@error8418]

The idea of the patchbay alterring the sound of microphones isn't completely ridiculous: Flock doesn't seem to be using relays (mechanical, passive) but electronic (active) signal switching. This has the side effect of not being able to route phantom power and also means that the patchbay has it's own input impedance. With most microphones it won't really make a difference, with the exception of passive ribbon mics that can be pretty sensitive to input impedance. To proof this theory you could try any preamp with switchable input impedance. That switch should be useless through the Flock. 🤔 I'm not sure whether it's generally the best idea to be routing mic signals through this kind of patchbay. However, since you seem to be using your mic pres mainly as outboard gear that's a different story.

[@seanms35]

Heads up, Flock doesn't work with Mic Level. Only works with Line Level.

[@Neo-jx8bw]

For Mics use a CB Electronics XP-Relay

[@bennettadriano2954]

they announced the cx thing that allows all mics to work in the spring I believe. I dont know much about it but I remember seeing it at namm.

[@danielb5817]

@@bennettadriano2954They only came out with the CX because customers were not happy when the Flock is advertised as working with mics, but it doesn't work. They rushed the CX too as they could of thought it through better, but what do you expect from a company that outsources it's design work.

[@Rockoslab]

Bro what the flock took you so long?

[@KernSound]

LOL was wondering when you would do this.

[@ezstproductions_]

Now you need 2 of them 😅😅

[@Dragndroprecords]

What the Flock!?😂

[@fiddlefolk]

Get the Flock out of here! Now, I got 's to have one!

[@braxal6983]

Colt, what about the issue with software. If Flock goes out of business or they update the software in such a way that you can not update your unit you now have an expensive paper weight. Please advise.

[@AlexOnAudio]

Hey Colt, where did your Portico II channel videos go?

[@ColtCapperrune]

I’ve never done a portico video. You are probably thinking of my video on the MBT. 🤘🏻

[@AlexOnAudio]

Maybe but you featured your Portico II channels in that video (pr at least the video in rememebering) really well... I went to send that video to someone the other day and couldn't find it. Do you still have the Portico II channels?

[@guitarplayer5932]

what the flock!

[@DreamslideProductions]

I swear on an old headphone video you said you'd never invest in hardware that you need software for it to work. Have you been swayed? Especially at this price point. I mean I get it, it seems mad convenient. If I was an out board guy I'd Def make the investment

[@iankelly-danslestudio2124]

Hi, I watch a lot of your videos, thanks for the amazing content! I’m predicting you’ll stop using the hardware whilst mixing once you really get into Atmos. The stemming is just so laborious, I went 100% in the box. Cheers!

[@ColtCapperrune]

Time will tell!

[@fullwaverecked]

But can i squat on a Flock?

[@ColtCapperrune]

It might void your warranty

[@fullwaverecked]

@@ColtCapperrune No doubt.