Very basic patchbay question

[Mike H]

I have recently added several quality analog units to my Protools HD home studio (Massive Passive, Trakkers, Ibis, etc.). I am also in the process of adding analog summing gear, so I need a couple of patchbays.

I am inclined to use simple dBX 48-point 1/4" patchbays because:
(1) I already have them, from an earlier studio setup.
(2) I already have a lot of Monster TRS cables stored away that I can pull out and utilize.
(3) I don't particularly look forward to acquiring all the parts and soldering a professional patchbay like a Switchcraft 96TT bay. I have done a lot of home wiring, but I'd still have to spend some time studying exactly how to do it correctly (which connectors for full-normalled, etc.)..............and I'm not sure where to get this guidance.
(4) The TRS connectors allow me flexibility to easily rearrange the patchbay layout, if I later decide I want to do so.
(5) In a home studio, I would think the "cheapie" patchbays would last a long time.

Having said all that, I then think:
(1) I've got all this professional gear; shouldn't I have a professional patchbay I never have to worry about?
(2) The 1/4" patchbays can only be either (a) half-normalled or (b) de-normalled. So, when I patch 16 signals to an analog summing device, I (think I) would also have to plug 16 dummy dead-ended plugs into the lower jacks to break the normalled connections. Otherwise, the signals would be mult-ed, and could possibly cause me problems I wouldn't know about.

-What advice do you have?
-If I go the Switchcraft 96TT route, I would do the work myself. Where can I get some good info on how best to do it?

Thanks,
Mike

[scott h.]

call me if you want a tutorial. my # is at studiowiring.com.

[Mike H]

Scott,
Thanks so much for the offer. I am pretty much already off to the races now. I bought two Switchcraft TT96 patchbays and I am about half way through the wiring. I saved a bunch on the cost of cables, plus I would have taken up four rack slots instead of two if I had gone the TRS patchbay route.

I think I'm on the right track; of course continuity testing is yet to be done. My biggest confusion was around how to handle the grounds and shields (all the wiring is balanced). After much (sometimes conflicting) guidance, I am initially wiring the ground and shields together at both ends. Also, I am NOT bussing the grounds at the patchbays; I am leaving each ground separately isolated. If I have humming problems with any connections, then I will lift the ground/shield at the destination end (not the origination end).

We'll see how it goes. I am actually enjoying the learning experience.........although I intend this to be the last time I do it.


Thanks again,
Mike