yes , XLR mic patchbays are gr8 for a few reasons , and not so gr8 for a few yet again.

If your console has dedicated mic inputs then a XLR patchbay will work perfectly. The only drawback is that your mic lines wont be able to access the other patchbays , a PITA if you like multing mic signals.

An XLR patchbay is gr8 becaus it will stay cleaner than a bantam or long frame patch bay , and you wont get sparks while plugging around with phantom power on ( sometimes you forget or just dont notice that the phantom power button is on) :)

We had a XLR patchbay originally for cost reasons , but have had to abandon it because our new console uses the same input connector for mic and line level signals.

And yes it is better to have a XLR patchbay than to be unplugging the back of your console , forgetting to put it back , or even plugging it up back to front.

BTW , sphere studios in the UK claim to have an XLR mic patchbay in their SSL room. This is a facility with a Neve 88R , a SSL 9000J and a euphonix CS3000.

Daniel

I opted for an XLR patch bay in my studio..

a) Because I was advised to
b) I had read it was 'cool'

Male sockets = feeds from the live ares(s)
Female sockets = my mic pre inputs

Alltogether 4U high

I use short XLR's to connect em all up

I have anditional 6 strips of 96 hole TT patch bay.

:)

With the addition of an API3124 and a Great RIver MP2NV, I came to the conclusion that crawling around behind the desk wasn't for me.

HOSA has a 12 point (1u) XLR patchbay which I've seen online for 129.00 US. I just ordered 6 of em. The only drawback is that they ship w/female XLR to the front as the only configuration, necessitating purchase of XLRM-XLRM patch cables.

HOSA has a 12 point (1u) XLR patchbay which I've seen online for 129.00 US. I just ordered 6 of em. The only drawback is that they ship w/female XLR to the front as the only configuration, necessitating purchase of XLRM-XLRM patch cables.

The other drawback is that is a HOSA ;)

Hosa got booted from my place. Major sonic transgressions!
What's a really class affordable way?
Ted

Gents - Thanks for the info.

Well I've taken a cruise around the internet and the only prefab XLR patchbays I've found are the forementioned Hosa unit and a 12 connector (straight-thru) made by Connectronics and is sold by Markertek for $219. A straight-thru unit would be perfect for me, just connect my mic cables to the front of the patchbay and the in the back run some short XLRF to XLRM to my the preamp inputs, that way I can can patch the outputs into the 1/4 inch bay normalled to my converters and still have the option to send it to any compression or effects.

So, what are you using and where do you find them ??

TIA

Tony

Tony, that's the choices I had found too. Considering the short length from the front to the back of a feed thru, I decided that the HOSA would be fine and I can sure use the 540 bucks difference (I needed 6 units) to good effect somewhere else.

I confess, I actually use an extra 50' stage snake (box at one end, fan at other) as a patchbay for all my mic pres. I've got 23 of the 24 snake channels hooked into various mic pre inputs. May not be the most elegant solution, but it does the job.

I've got a similar thing to Littledog. The console came with 2 12 input XLR to ELCO for the onboard pres. For outboard I have an eight-channel fan snake for an old PA. The outboard preamp outs are connected to the console's TT bay to patch wherever they need to go. :p

hey guys. Audio Accessories has XLR bays. Checkit:

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.patchbay…"]AUDIO ACCESSORIES[/]="http://www.patchbay…"]AUDIO ACCESSORIES[/]

damm. I just bought trs balanced bays. but they are post-mic-pre anyhow. oh well. hopefully the audible difference is small.

cs