Patchbays and cables

Hi all !
I'm currently in the process of designing how I will organize my patchbays in order to conveniently use all my equipment.
My questions are :
- what patchbays do you use? I think that I'm going to take the Samson S-Plus
- what cables do you use to plug your 8-outs MPC to your patchbay? and your mixer? Best quality for price?
- what cables do you recommend using for patching?

Also, keep in mind that I live in Europe (so my only affordable option seems to be Thomann, they offer the shipping for large orders)

Thanks in advance

Thaught I could get some advices, so here's the plan :

I use the Neutrik NYS SPP L1.
Best cables that work for me are snakecables, they have them from 3meters long and upwards. For patching just use patchcables. (they come in 6)

Remember that all the outputs are on the upper row and the inputs on the lower row of the patchbay.. I saw in your lay-out that you had some inputs on the upper row.

With half-normalled, the outputs will automaticly connect to the inputs without having to patch anything. So make sure you have your most used gear on top of your inputs from the mixer/interface.. So you don't have to over-use the patchbay.

Thanks a lot for your answer, I will change that asap. The thing is that I don't have enough inputs for everything (and the inserts are for effects or pre-fader outputs I think) I don't really know how I'm going to plug my effects also (using the Aux)
Anymore thoughts welcomed !!

I also bought one of these a while back

http://www.thomann.de/gb/neutrik_nyssppl1.htm



It's a cheap Neutrik

They do say that cheap patchbays run into trouble sooner or later but I can't justify spending a couple of hundred quid on routing.
Haven't had any trouble with it so far and I am intending to buy two more sometime soon.

As far as cables go. For the single cables, I made my own.
Couldn't afford 48 Neutrik plugs so I bought their budget brand REAN which I have been very pleased with.
For 8 way looms I only buy quality cable with Neutrik plugs but I have acquired some cheapo looms which I do use for non critical applications but I just plan to use until they start to fail , then they will go straight in the trash.

I already got my Soundcraft mixer to recap, so I don't really want to make my own cables (plus it seems to take some time) I think I'm going to look for quality 8 way looms on second hand market. I don't know why but the sssnake does not appeal to me.
Thanks fro your answer

The Samson S-Patch is dope. much nicer than the Neutrik ones. the cables slide in and out of the inserts much smoother, and you can adjust the mode of each channel on the front panel switch, instead of having to yank out the cables and take off the faceplate etc etc. those neutrik patch bays are a **** to pull apart, and can have issues with noise and crosstalk etc. channels seem to die easy on them.



As far as the cables you use, it really depends on the gear. the s950 is going to be unbalanced TS, and the 2000xl could be TRS Balanced. It's best to look up the specs for each piece before you go buy all your cables.

Yeah, I didn't read one single bad review about the samson.
Okay, I'll look at it. Finnaly, maybe I could make my own cables. I'm currently reading some infos about it.
Don't know if the MPC 8 outs are balanced tho. (and don't recall if the inputs on my Soundcraft 200 B also are)

Feuille wrote:Yeah, I didn't read one single bad review about the samson.

Not a bad review, but Samson themselves have a kind of weird downer text about it:

"WARNING: This product contains Chemicals, including DEHP, known to the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm."

http://www.samsontech.com/samson/products/processors/s-class/s-patch-plus/

It's like the warnings on cigarette packs here in Sweden, quite odd.

ryssen wrote:"WARNING: This product contains Chemicals, including DEHP, known to the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm."

What the hell?! ahah.
Read on wikipedia that it was in some plastics. Well, **** it, I like to live dangerously

Feuille wrote:Yeah, I didn't read one single bad review about the samson.
Okay, I'll look at it.

Samson, I believe is Sam Ash's "store" brand. You may only find reviews on their site, which may be skewed because it's their site....

That bothers me more than the chemical warning. (Everything in California will give you cancer....eventually!)

Mike Boogie wrote:Samson, I believe is Sam Ash's "store" brand. You may only find reviews on their site

Actually, I also read some on Thomann or Audiofanzine (in french) http://fr.audiofanzine.com/patch/samson ... plus/avis/

My opinion, the neutrik gets the job done for pretty cheap. Each I/O is modular, so you shouldn't have crosstalk issues (mentioned before). If a channel does fail, just swap the module out. I've even used the patchbay as a makeshift soldering station, inserting the plugs into the jacks and using it to hold the connectors while I soldered cable in place. No issues.


Also, building your own cables is the way to go. I ordered a spool of Canare (the good stuff) from www.redco.com along with all my connectors and saved a shit ton of loot. There are probably a few other distributors around, but they delivered quick and had everything.

Okay for the Neutrik but I think I'll go for the samson cause it seems better for labeling and I like the front panel switches.

Thanks for the advice concerning the cables. What's the average time to solder one ?
Also, I just looked on Redco but I don't really know which way to go. Balanced Microphone and Line Level Cable ?
If I choose balanced, will it fit the unbalanced outputs of my S950 (I know that it depends on what I solder to the connector but still)? Will I be able to use it for my Soundcraft's inserts?
(Just made a test shopping cart with 670ft of Canare cable and 202 Neutrik connectors, it comes to 1100$ u_u)

As stated before, the s950 will be unbalanced. The only balanced connections on the MPC2KXL are the inputs. You will mostly require TS 1/4" connectors, and build time depends on soldering skill. The best cable type for you to use would be a "single conductor shielded". Redco allows you to order any foot length of cable, so just order the "microphone" cable lengths you will need for your balanced connections.
Also keep in mind, you can buy multi-channel cable as well (8/10/12 conductor). I would also consider a 12 pair for the MPC connections and a 12 pair for the s950.
(8 individual outs, a pair for stereo out and 2 for your input (1 for the s950).


There are many solutions, but it all depends on how tidy you want your lab vs. how much money you're willing to spend.