(Steve Remote) Digitally Controled Analog Patch Bay's?

[gpcramseysoral]

I'm very interested in this. Unfortunately I know nothing about the mechanics of how this happens. Does Anyone?

One of the products I’m considering is the CM labs sixty four http://www.cmlabs.net/sixtyfour.html. They aren’t what you would call a high end company. That's why I’d like to know about the components of digitally controlled gear. I'm aware that there may be various approaches to this. I'd like to know what they are and what are the subjective strengths and weaknesses.

PS. All are welcome to comment but I’d like to hear from Steve on this.

[gpcramseysoral]

Hey, like thirty views and not one reply. Should I rephrase the question or something?

[Micgiver]

how f'ing lazy can engineers get. it sounds clean and great but what happened to actually getting off our ass's and plug and pulling.

[dave-G]

On the "high end", and if you don't need a huge number of i/o, you could pribably get something very elegant from Crookwood. Crispin (Mr. Crookwood himself) is just about as nice a guy as you could ever hope to deal with, too.

-dave

[gpcramseysoral]

Thanks, Dave i'll definatly look into that.


Micgiver, not to be defensive but I’m thinking from a recall-ability standpoint. Also the CM labs unit has meters to indicate I/O. That would be great in a trouble shooting situation.
In my opinion anything that I can do to make a session move more quickly (without significantly affecting the quality) gives me a leg up. That's why my question is what are the components used in such gear. I've seen Neve with remote controlled stuff that sounds great. Then there are other companies that typically use less expensive parts in there designs. I'd like to know conceptually what parts are necessary to make a unit remote controlled analog? Then I can assess the trade off involved (if any) in using this technology.

[Remoteness]

Sorry I haven't tuned in sooner, I've been swamped with work.

Digitally controlled analog patch bay's are an interesting concept just like digitally controlled analog consoles were to me. I wish more folks believed in the development of high quality digitally controlled analog devices.

I briefly looked at the CM labs link you posted. It looks like a nice and cleaver unit. The question you have to ask yourself is --"What does it do to the sound of your analog devices?" Does it have a neutral sound or is it as good or better than the equipment you're interfacing it too? As you may already know, your sound is only as good as the weakest link in the chain. Have you had a chance to listen or play with this device?

I like the 90 recall memory idea. Some may think it's the lazy way of doing things but, it seems like the natural way of dealing with it if you change from complicated session to complicated session a lot. With that said, (believe it or not) I'm still an old school kind of guy when it comes to patch bays -- My confidence is high with the plain old jack and plug situation. I would definitely consider a high end digitally controlled patch bay in limited areas like a post production suite if it didn't degrade my sound and such. Anyway you look at it, the bottom line is -- you must consider the trade off!

On the digital front I plan to install a Z Systems digital patch bay for the expando. IMO, it's the only way to go, digitally speaking that is.

[Beech]

I looked at the CM Labs solution too and it certainly looks cool. However, when I got a price to replace a full studio patchbay the idea faded away pretty quickly. We have 16 rows of TT patch.

[gpcramseysoral]

Steve, I haven't had a chance to demo this unit. I don't think I will either as the only one who seems to have it in stock is Sweetwater. I'd feel like some what of a d_-K asking someone to special order it for me knowing that I likely won’t buy it. For me it's more a shot in the dark that this thing will be "neutral" sounding. So I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m more interested in it conceptually then actually interested in buying it.

Anyway I do appreciate the replies that I’ve gotten so far. If anyone has some info on what are the (possible) components involved in digitally controlled analog please post.

Also Steve before you purchases the z-sys router check this out. I'd like to know your (or anyone else’s) opinion on this technology.

http://www.sonyoxford.co.uk/pub/supermac/index.html

http://www.sonyoxford.co.uk/ws/pub/s...port/faq1.html

[Coolstuff]

Most routers have gone digital. I recall that analog crosspoint matrixes were not all that reliable over time, though I believe there are still some available.

One product I know of that replicates the interface of a patch bay while providing the functions of a router is the SmartPatch by the british Signex. http://www.signexweb.co.uk/Docs/1.%2...Smartpatch.pdf

I haven't tried it but it looks very interesting.

[jtienhaara]

Another option, which I was interested in at one point but could never get any feedback on:

http://www.soundsculpture.com/produc...ade_models.htm

[gpcramseysoral]

Thanks again for all the reply's! I've looked into the soundsculpter and signexweb unit's both very cool for what they do. Also they gave me some insight into what actually switches the audio. I'm going to do a google on switch points and relay's asap. I will post my findings for those of you who don't know what they are and how they work etc.

Thanks,

[B-San]

Looks like SSL's comming out with the X-Patch... It's in the new product section ... thoughts?

[duvalle]

Originally Posted by Coolstuff

Most routers have gone digital. I recall that analog crosspoint matrixes were not all that reliable over time, though I believe there are still some available.

One product I know of that replicates the interface of a patch bay while providing the functions of a router is the SmartPatch by the british Signex. http://www.signexweb.co.uk/Docs/1.%2...Smartpatch.pdf

I haven't tried it but it looks very interesting.

anyone tried the Smartpatch - ARC32?

[crg28]

Smartpatch anyone?

[machineintel]

I didn't check out any of the specific models you linked to, sorry. However, as long as the patchbay is simply a digitally controlled bank of mechanical relays I don't think you'll have to worry about sound quality. It would basically be the same as connecting the points with a regular patch cable. In fact, they might even "sound" better considering there would likely be less metal you're running the signals through. That is, if the the grounding on the unit is done right and the switch controls and digital section are properly isolated from the signal path.

Ahh....just scrolled down before I posted and realized that the OP was in 2005....

Anyhow though...since this is in the remote forum I'd be more concerned with the reliability of a digital patch bay. It doesn't seem worth the extra risk for the few minutes being saved.