Can anyone recommend either a ready made unit or DIY site for switching balanced audio lines?
In particular, I'd like a switch that can swap the order of EQ and Compression in my outboard, so with a flick of a switch I can go from -
STUFF --> EQ --> Comp --> STUFF
to
STUFF --> Comp --> EQ --> STUFF
without fiddling with patch bays and patch cords.
- It is currently Thu Apr 18, 2024 10:07 pm • All times are UTC + 10 hours [ DST ]
Switch Wiring Outboard Racks
Moderators: rick, Mark Bassett
7 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Hi Chris, we sell the Signex Smartpatch for this type of application. It depends on what budget you're working with as, at around $2K, this device may cost more than you care to spend. I can send you a pdf about it so that you can read the detail on the specs and capabilities of the Smartpatch.
- Howard Jones
- TRM Endorsed
- Posts: 401
- Joined: Sat May 14, 2005 9:11 pm
- Location: Sydney
Thanks Howard
I've looked the Signex up on the web, and its a patchbay plus a lot more, where I'm looking for something less than a patchbay.
That said, its not that expensive given some of the other web solutions I've come across - a company called RDL make a solid state balanced audio relay, the ST-SSR1, which would do the trick for me except (on my wiring design) I'd need six of them at US$83 a pop plus rack case plus 24V DC regulated power plus 12 XLR sockets and change, so there's 1k simply for the ability to swap stereo EQ and Compression in the audio chain. The Signex does a lot more than twice that, so bang for the buck its not so bad.
I still need to get back to you on the Sontonics mics - I haven't forgotten, and will touch base towards the end of the month if that's OK.
I've looked the Signex up on the web, and its a patchbay plus a lot more, where I'm looking for something less than a patchbay.
That said, its not that expensive given some of the other web solutions I've come across - a company called RDL make a solid state balanced audio relay, the ST-SSR1, which would do the trick for me except (on my wiring design) I'd need six of them at US$83 a pop plus rack case plus 24V DC regulated power plus 12 XLR sockets and change, so there's 1k simply for the ability to swap stereo EQ and Compression in the audio chain. The Signex does a lot more than twice that, so bang for the buck its not so bad.
I still need to get back to you on the Sontonics mics - I haven't forgotten, and will touch base towards the end of the month if that's OK.
-
chris p - Frequent Contributor
- Posts: 882
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 6:15 pm
- Location: Sydney, NSW
Hi Chris,
Yup, that's fine about the Sontronics. The switching/patching issue is probably addressed most easily and inexpensively with a little handmade unit which uses either relay switching or - gasp - direct switching of the signals.
I'm not looking for any arguments about gold-plated vacuum-tube 57 bit audio signal paths, but... you could consider wiring up a switch or two to do the job. Since your anticipated switching is limited in scope, a switch would do and, being passive would be very cost effective. And, after all, you can get pretty high-quality switches with gold plated contacts.
Cheers,
Howard.
Yup, that's fine about the Sontronics. The switching/patching issue is probably addressed most easily and inexpensively with a little handmade unit which uses either relay switching or - gasp - direct switching of the signals.
I'm not looking for any arguments about gold-plated vacuum-tube 57 bit audio signal paths, but... you could consider wiring up a switch or two to do the job. Since your anticipated switching is limited in scope, a switch would do and, being passive would be very cost effective. And, after all, you can get pretty high-quality switches with gold plated contacts.
Cheers,
Howard.
- Howard Jones
- TRM Endorsed
- Posts: 401
- Joined: Sat May 14, 2005 9:11 pm
- Location: Sydney
i was going to suggest just that but even cruder, get a bunch of dpdt switches and wire up a panel that does what you want
you may have to switch a couple of switches at a time if everything is balanced but it will be way cheaper then the actual one solution switch you need
( which is available from eao and cost about $750 each if you order 10 !)
i have a gold plated contact eao switch in my hand which will end up in a speaker switching system in due course .
so if building relay boards are not you go , head down to jaycar and buy some heavy duty old style switches, however try a couple of different styles because i have had some switching disasters with bad contacts or inferior contacts.
my studio if full of devices that use switches or relays to move audio around.
if you want really really expensive audio relays to make your boards i have a cupboard full of erni audio relays (rrp $120 each) that i will happily sell for $10 bucks a pop to whoever needs them on this forum.
you may have to switch a couple of switches at a time if everything is balanced but it will be way cheaper then the actual one solution switch you need
( which is available from eao and cost about $750 each if you order 10 !)
i have a gold plated contact eao switch in my hand which will end up in a speaker switching system in due course .
so if building relay boards are not you go , head down to jaycar and buy some heavy duty old style switches, however try a couple of different styles because i have had some switching disasters with bad contacts or inferior contacts.
my studio if full of devices that use switches or relays to move audio around.
if you want really really expensive audio relays to make your boards i have a cupboard full of erni audio relays (rrp $120 each) that i will happily sell for $10 bucks a pop to whoever needs them on this forum.
-
rick - Moderator
- Posts: 3486
- Joined: Fri May 06, 2005 8:02 pm
- Location: Sydney
7 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Return to The Turtlerock Forum
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests