Switchcraft StudioPatch Series User manual

Operation Manual
Serial Number Date of Purchase Place of Purchase
Thank you for purchasing a StudioPatch Series audio patchbay by Switchcraft®. This product was proudly
manufactured in the United States.
The StudioPatch Series (6425 and 9625) are professional TT, 32 and 48 channel audio patchbays that are
capable of handling analog, as well as AES/EBU digital audio signals. They can directly connect to any
piece of audio equipment that uses standard, eight-channel DB25 (also known as DSUB) connectors, such
as TASCAM®DTRS decks, Digidesign®Pro Tools HD systems, Mackie®mixers, line cards, I/O’s, and
much more. They can also directly connect to any piece of audio equipment that uses traditional analog
I/O’s, such as XLR or TRS, through the use of a wide range of DB25 breakout cable. The connection
possibilities are virtually limitless.
What makes the StudioPatch Series so unique is how they allow you to configure the channels for routing
your audio signals. The normalling of each channel can be set to full, half, or non-normal configurations
from the front of the unit, with the simple twist of a regular screwdriver.
Contained in this manual, are some things you should know about installing, configuring, and caring for
this unit. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact your local Switchcraft®
dealer / representative, or call us directly at [phone], and ask for the customer service department.
*StudioPatchTM is a trademarkof Switchcraft®, Inc.
*TASCAM®and DTRS are trademarks of TEAC Corporation.
*Pro Tools is a trademark of Digidesign®.
*Digidesign®is a division of Avid Technology, Inc.
*Mackie®is a trademarkof LOUD Technologies Inc.
All other trademarks are property of their respective holders.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
StudioPatch Series
Audio Patchbays

Table of Contents
What is a Patchbay and Why is it Used? Page 3
Detailed View Page 4
Connecting the StudioPatch Series Patchbay Page 5
Types of Connecting Cables Page 5, 6
Connection Examples Page 7-9
Connecting for Digital Audio Page 10
What Are Normals Page 10
Phantom Power Page 10
Setting The Normals Page 11–13
Designation Strips Page 14
Do's And Don'ts Page 15
Questions And Answers Page 16
Accessories Page 17
DB25 Connector Pinout Diagram Page 18
Cannon DL Connector Pinout Diagram (StudioPatch Series 96DL) Page 19
Warranty Page 20
2

What is a Patchbay and Why is it Used?
ABrief History
The first audio patchbays were developed for the telephone industry. At the time,the main use of the patchbay,
also known as the jackfield, was for telephone operators to manuallyroute callsfrom one region toanother. As
technology advanced,the patchbay made its way into recordingstudios, radiostations,television broadcast
facilities,and virtually anyplace that needed to route audioand/or videosignalsfrom one place toanother. In a
recordingstudio, patchbays areused toconnect and route variouspieces of equipment such as audioconsoles,
tapemachines, outboard effects processors,digitalaudio workstations,etc.
Today
With modern digitaltechnology constantly interfacing with high-quality analog equipment in all aspects of
professionalaudioand broadcasting, it is essentialto maintain fast, flexiblerouting options capableof working
with digitaland/or analog audiosignals. AtSwitchcraft, werealize that the needs of audioengineers can be
drastically different depending on their particularsituation.Flexibility is critical!
INTRODUCING...
StudioPatch Series Audio Patchbay
Analog
StudioPatch Series (6425 and 9625) audio patchbays are designed with industry standardDB25 (also known as
DSUB) I/Oconnectors. The pinouts follow the same standards used by Tascam
®
,Digidesign
®
,and many other
audio product manufacturers. It is important tonote,however, that you are notlimited to using only equipment
with DB25 connections.You can choose from a wide variety of DB25 breakout cabling options enablingyou to
connect to virtually any piece of audioequipment quickly and easily.You might decide, for example,that
having patchbay access toyour audioconsoles direct outputs would come in handy. Assumingthat your
consoles direct outputs are1/4-inch TRS,this wouldrequire a cable consisting of one DB25 male connector to
eight,1/4-inch TRSplugs. The same can be done for any of the analog inputs and outputs of your console,
outboardgear, digitalaudio workstation,tapemachine,etc.allowing for the most flexible and versatile audio
processingenvironment. The routing possibilities are endless!
Digital
Another great featureof the StudioPatch Series of audio patchbays,is that they are capableof routing
AES/EBU digitalaudiosignals, which carry two channelsof interleaved digitalaudiodata throughone
standard balanced audiocable.For example, four XLRcables would carry eight channelsof AES/EBU digital
audiodata. Therefore, when connecting AES/EBU digitalsignalsusingDB25 connectors,you are capableof
transmittingeight and receivingeight channelsof audiothroughone DB25 cable.
*Note: AES/EBU signals require the use of 110 ohm digital grade cable.
*Note: AES/EBU is not to be confused with a TDIF signal.
3

Four Female DB25 (Inputs)
4-40 Threads
Front View
Four Female DB25 (Outputs)
Designation Marking Strips (White)
and clear covers
Desginations Strips Removed
Normalling Screw
Rear View
Normalling Positions
Full Normal Position Half Normal Position Non-Normal Position
Arrow points at
12:00 position
Arrow points at
6:00 position
Arrow points at
3:00 position
Note: Do not rotate screw counter-clockwise from left of "F" and left of "H"
4
in USA
StudioPatch 6425

DB25 Male to Male Cable
Connecting The StudioPatch Series
(6425 and 9625)
Connecting for analog audio
StudioPatch Series (6425 and 9625)audio patchbays will connect directlyto any piece of
equipment with an analog DB25 I/O connection using a standard DB25 male to male cable. In an
analog audio environment,DB25 cable carrieseight balancedaudio signalsto and from various
piecesofequipment.The Digidesign
®
DigiSnakeseriesis recommended forthe StudioPatch Series
(6425 and 9625), however, there aremultiple manufacturers that make cable with this particular
wiring scheme,or pinout.These cablesare often referredto as "DA-88 cables". Theyare
compatible with Tascam
®
DTRS seriestapemachines (such asthe DA-88), andare an industry
standard usedby manyotheraudio product manufacturers. Whether youare connecting to a
multi-track recorder, audio console, digital audio workstation interface,orany piece ofaudio
equipment that hasa DB25 connectoron the unit,the StudioPatch Seriescan directlylinkto it.
It isimportant to keepin mind, however, that while most DB25 connectors utilize the standard
TascamDTRS pinout,there are other uses forDB25 cable that havedifferent wiring schemes.
Pleasemakesure that your gear utilizesthe appropriate pinout.
As mentionedearlier, youare not limitedto using onlyanalog I/O’s with DB25 connections. There
aremany variationsofDB25 breakout cable readilyavailable.Two ofthe most common (DB25 to
XLR &DB25 to TRS) can be seen on the nextpage.
TypesofCables
(AlsoKnown asDA-88 Cable)
5
*TASCAM®andDTRS are trademarks ofTEACCorporation.
*Pro Toolsisa trademark ofDigidesign.
*Digidesign®isadivision ofAvidTechnology, Inc.
*DigiSnake isa trademark ofDigidesign®.

DB25 Male to XLR
(Also Known as DA-88 to XLR Breakout Cable)
DB25 Male to 1/4" (TRS)
(Also Known as DA-88 to 1/4˝ TRS Breakout Cable)
6

The rear panels of the StudioPatch Series (6425 and 9625) have a total of either eight or twelve female
25 Pin DB25 (or DSUB) connectors depending on whether you have purchased the 64 or 96 point
versions. The top row of connectors are for inputs, and the bottom row are for outputs. Each DSUB can
carry eight channels of balanced analog audio, or sixteen channels of AES/EBU standard digital audio.
Example 1
Example 1shows a StudioPatch Series (6425) connected to four DAW(digital audio workstation)
interfaces and a mixing console. All units have DB25 I/O’s. This configuration is giving patchbay access
to channels 1through 32 of the mixing consoles analog inputs, and 1through 32 of the DAW’s analog
outputs. This enables a user to reroute signals (via patchcord) to different areas. Outboard devices can
also be added to individual channels of the patchbay for even more flexibility. In this example, the
normalling screw would most likely be set to either the half normal ("H") position, or full normal ("F").
In either of these cases, when there is no patchcord plugged in, the normal signal passes through the
channel of the patchbay as if the inputs and outputs were directly connected.
StudioPatch Series patchbays can be placed in-between your source and destination gear. The outputs of
your source gear can connect directly to the inputs of the StudioPatch Series. Conversely, the outputs of
the StudioPatch Series can be connected to the inputs of your destination gear (See Example 1).
Note: See Pages 10-13 for "Normals" definitions and explanations.
7
StudioPatch
6425
Inputs 1 - 8
Outputs 1 - 8
Inputs 1 - 8
Outputs 1 - 8
Inputs 1 - 8
Outputs 1 - 8
Inputs 1 - 8
Outputs 1 - 8
Analog Inputs Analog Outputs
1-8 9 - 16 17 - 24 25 - 32
1-8 9 - 16 17 - 24 25 - 32
Mixing Console
DAW

DB25 Breakout Cable
As mentioned earlier, another way to connect the StudioPatch Series (6425 and 9625) is with DB25
breakout cable. In this example, your setup would have a DB25 connector on one end (let's say the analog
DAW I/O), and XLR's to the destination (the mixing console).
In this example, you would connect your mixing consoles eight XLR outputs 1 through 8 to the DAW’s
DB25 analog inputs 1 through 8. From the DAW’s DB25 analog outputs 1 through 8, you would connect
to the StudioPatch Series’ DB25 inputs 1 through 8. From there, you would connect the StudioPatch
Series’ DB25 outputs 1 through 8 to the mixing consoles XLR inputs 1 through 8 (See Example 2).
Depending on your particular studio setup, you may have a variety of combinations of cable connector
ends. In this case, you would need:
1–Eight channel XLR (female) to DB25 (male).
1- DB25 (male) to DB25 (male).
1- DB25 (male) to eight channel XLR (male).
Example 2
From Outputs 1-8
of StudioPatch
TM
to
Mixer Inputs 1-8
From DAW Analog Outputs 1-8 to StudioPatchTM Inputs 1-8
From Mixer Outputs
1-8 to DAW Analog
Inputs 1-8
8
1-8 XLR Outputs 1-8 XLR Inputs
1-8 Inputs
1-8 Outputs
StudioPatch 6425
DAW

Example 3
4 Channel Compressor 4 Channel Mic Preamp
1 - 4 Inputs 1 - 4 Inputs
1 - 4 Outputs1 - 4 Outputs
In example 3, the StudioPatch Series (6425) is connected to a four-channel compressor, and a four-channel
microphone preamp. Since these two outboard devices use a total of eight channels, one DB25 to 1/4-inch
TRS breakout cable can be used for all of the inputs, and one can be used for all of the outputs. The
patchbay’s channels 1 through 8 will then have the compressor and mic-pre outputs on the top row, and
the compressor and mic-pre inputs on bottom row. In this case, the normalling screw would most likely be
set for non-normalled ("N" position) to prevent the possibility of unwanted feedback loops.
Now, the patchbay has 48 patchpoints, or 24 channels left that can be used. Keep in mind, that you can
create any type of configuration that you wish…this is just one example. The jacks do not all have to be
normalled the same way in groups. It all depends on your particular configuration.
.
Note: See Pages 10-13 for "Normals" definitions and explanations.
8 Channel DB25 Male to 1/4" (TRS)
9

The StudioPatch Series can also be used for patching AES/EBU digital audio signals. AES/EBU was developed by the
Audio Engineering Society and the European Broadcasting Union as a way to transfer digital audio signals between
devices. Conveniently, it uses the same cable configuration as balanced analog audio, where pin 1 connects to ground,
and pins 2 and 3 carry the audio information. The major difference is that one AES/EBU cable carries two channels of
digital audio. Typically, when you use DB25 cable for AES/EBU digital audio signals, you are transmitting 8, and
receiving 8 channels of digital audio through one DB25 cable. Traditionally, with analog signals, patchbay outputs are
across the top row, and inputs are across the bottom row. This, however, will not be the case when connecting the
StudioPatch Series to an AES/EBU I/O using DB25 connectors. You could potentially have inputs and outputs mixed
across either the top or the bottom row depending on how you want to set it up. Also, if you do decide to use AES/EBU
signals in connecting the patchbay, keep in mind that digital signals only connect to other digital signals of the same
format.
Also important to remember, is that AES/EBU digital audio signals require low capacitance cable, specifically, with an
impedance rating of 110 Ohms. By using standard analog cable in digital audio data transfer, which is typically 60 Ohms,
errors may occur. It is very important that the correct cable is specified. As mentioned previously, the Digidesign
®
DigiSnake series cable is 110 Ohm rated. If using other brands, be sure that it is also 110 Ohm rated. This will be printed
on the package, or at times, on the cable's jacket itself. It is good to keep in mind that 110 Ohm cable will work fine for
analog audio as well. The quality of your cable drastically impacts the quality of your sound.
Due to the necessity of keeping 110 Ohm impedance for AES/EBU digital audio signals, it is not recommended that you
use the jacks in the half-normalled position. When a plug is inserted into the source jack (top row) while the jack is in the
half-normalled position (as explained in the following sections), the signal is split in parallel, effectively cutting the
impedance in half, leaving the source to see 55 Ohms. This is not an acceptable situation for proper transmission of
AES/EBU digital audio signals. If this occurs, your equipment will probably not work, and may become damaged.
Connecting the StudioPatch Series for AES/EBU Digital Audio Signals
10
*DigiSnake is a trademark of Digidesign
®
.
*Digidesign
®
is a division of Avid Technology, Inc.
What Are Normals
Phantom Power
If you decide that you would like to route condenser microphone signals through the patchbay, the StudioPatch
Series is capable of passing phantom power. The grounds of the patchbay have been internally bussed at the
factory. This will not electrically affect other analog signals being routed through StudioPatch Series patchbays.
***Important Note:You should always turn off your phantom power supply before plugging in or rerouting a
condenser microphone’s signal. Not doing so can cause permanent damage to certain microphones and other
pieces of gear in your studio. It is recommended that you power off all of your studio gear before plugging in
or removing patch cables from the patchbay whether you are utilizing phantom power or not.
Normals are wiring schemes whereby a signal path is established from one audio device to another without the
use of a patchcord. This is known as the "normal path". The normal path between two jacks is most commonly
wired internally from the source jack (the top row) to the destination jack (the bottom row).
Plugging a patchcord into one of the normalled jacks will break the normal switch connections, allowing the
user to reroute the signal path through the patchcord. When the patch cord is unplugged from the jack, the
normal path is restored.
In traditional patchbays, normal paths may be installed all at once or may be field-configured as the equipment
changes. The StudioPatch Series, however, allows you to change the normal path with a twist of a screwdriver!