New, economic, and versatile describes the 1/4 in. modular Patch Panel. 48 balanced channels in one rack space and just 1U high. Learn More...










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7 out of 10








10 out of 10Feature:
It is a patchbay, the connections are Neutrik. Neutrik is known for having parts that last a long time. It is nice to be able to change a setting by removing the face plate instead of removing the entire unit.
The downside would be that you have to unplug the connections on the rear of the unit to change a setting.
Quality:
Neutrik produces great equipment.
Value:
Neutrik is on top in their field for a reason.
Desirability:
I have it, i'd like a few more. I try to keep the notorious "Ear-B's" out of my studio.
Sound:
Typically a patchbay shouldn't color the sound in any way. This question does not apply to this product.
Ease of Use:
Going back to my last statement on features. This patch-bay has been useful in my studio. I run an Allen&Heath console with an 002. When I mix I sum the mix back onto the A&H. Typically I will compress a bass line triggered from a sidechain (kick drum typically).
This patchbay is usefully because, unless you insert a cable into the "grey" jack, the remaining three remain connected. This principal is important for me, because, I split my kick signal at the patch bay, the kick continues to the mixer, but a split of it goes to the compressors side-chain. This concept can be very useful (granted your recording unit has some extra channels), for this reason:
Spitting a signal can be a lifesaver, you can route a side of the split to an effect, and the other side dry. Later- if you decide that you want to use the dry and nix the wet, you still have the dry thanks to the patchbay.
Support:
Never needed it.
Overall:
If it ever breaks, I will come back here and complain about it.
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9 out of 10








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6 out of 10Feature:
I can't say I have explored all the possibilities of this patchbay, but so far not too bad. It would be great if they had some detailed instructions or graphics showing some typical and non-typical ways to use it. Seems lots of people just don't know how or why they would use one. Could improve sales.
Quality:
Solid Solid Solid
Value:
No reason to consider anything else.
Sound:
No popping when inserting or taking out a jack. No signal degration that I notice.
Ease of Use:
It's good it has very positive connection when inserting a 1/4 jack, however, a fair amount of force us needed to insert the jack. Not like my guitar.
There is a cool program you can download to use to print lables for the patchbay.
Support:
I e-mailed the company with a question and they never wrote back.
Overall:
I would say to look at how a patchbay is designed nomalled, half-normalled or ??? and then use a piece of paper to draw a signal flow of you equipment to see if a patchbay is for you. I use it for my guitar and I have lots of stomp boxes, loopers, and multieffects and I DON'T want it all plugged in at the same time. (Can you say hisssss) A patchbay allows me to plug any piece of gear in and out of the chain easily so I can keep my focus on making music not rewiring my setup.
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9 out of 10








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9 out of 10








8 out of 10Feature:
The unit should come with 2 NYS-SPCR SEND / RETURN SPLIT MODULES
(FIELD INSTALLABLE) so the unit is immediately ready for effects loops. Also they should have the unit available in RCA-Gold connectors and maybe a model with the Speak-On style of Connectors.
Quality:
"Definitely Road-Worthy...This little guy is built like Fort Knox!"
If used "on the road",8-12 years depending on working conditions put upon it.
"The Neutrik is a pleasant surprise that I've just added to my studio...
I can see I'll be getting 15-20 years of use from this baby!"
Value:
Price versus the value added product is commensurable.
Desirability:
"I just picked one up 2 weeks ago, I'm stunned.....I WANT 3 MORE!!!"
Sound:
No Advice available at this time.....This unit is Stunning!!
Support:
No advice at this time. Word of Mouth says: "The Manufacturer is easy to do business with."
Overall:
After carefully scrutinizing the unit, I can honestly say I would replace it with the same or whatever the next generation of this manufacturer holds in the future. Great Engineering!
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4 out of 10








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9 out of 10








5 out of 10Feature:
I don't like flipping PC boards, and you're limited to two or three modes of operation.
Quality:
Enh, it's there. I had a couple of bad boards in the two patchbays I bough. The connections are metal-tipped but otherwise plastic and cheap.
Value:
I'm sure the Behringer patch bays are a better value.
Desirability:
Bleh.
Sound:
Well, what can you say? It's a patchbay. It doesn't ADD anything to the signal, so I'll say it's doing a good job.
Support:
Can't really say.
Overall:
If I had to total up the number of hours I wasted plugging and unplugging my cables in and out of this patchbay to find bad nodes and loose connections, I'm sure it would rival the amount of work I was actually able to get done with the patchbay.
This patchbay is a hassle to get setup due to the fact that you have to really work to get the cables seating in the jack properly while it only takes a little bit of force to loosen them to the point of a bad connection. Boo.
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9 out of 10








9 out of 10Feature:
I like the way you can change normalization without removing rack mount screws.
Overall:
The Neutrik is a 1/4" balanced patch bay, a great match for many project studios. I already own another brand patch bay, almost identical but costing nearly twice as much. Needed additional patch bays, bought Neutrik from this site because it was in stock; other dealer with famous brand-X was backordered. Neutrik patch bay proved to be at least equal in quality, but nearly half as expensive!
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