in permanently installed systems, the place where the patch is executed. A patchbay can work at signal level, connecting 0 - 10V (usually) control signals between desk and dimmer s, or at ma ins level, connecting dimmer outputs to circuits on the grid. Signal "patching" or DMX signals is now possible with dedicated software-controlled units.
a bay where you patch audio connections
a good idea for installed gear, particularly when it is difficult to access the rear panels
A system of panel mounted connectors used to bring inputs and outputs to a central location, from where they can be routed using patch cables, much like an old telephone switchboard. In some cases, the patchbay itself is also "normalled" (normalised).
a central routing center for signals, such as audio, video or MIDI data. While patchbays have traditionally used short cables (called patch cords) to route signals to various points on a panel of jacks, they have been evolving slowly into microprocessor-controlled devices that handle and store signal routings electronically.
Patchbays are an integral part of any professional video production or transmission facility, used to bridge the video, audio and data inputs and outputs from one piece of machinery to the next. Patchbays, also known as patch panels or patching systems, provide patching points, allowing an operator to easily re-route a signal by the simple insertion of a patch cable. Patching systems within a properly wired facility also help an engineer or operator to quickly identify the source of a problem, and often bypass or replace defective machinery while it is serviced.
