Project Patch
Synth Driver
Studio Kits
Swing Rack
SMC Panel Systems

Project Patch
Studio Kits 96
Synth Driver
SMC Panel Systems
Swing Rack

Project Patch
Studio Kits
Synth Driver
SMC Panel Systems
Swing Rack

PP-96-2 NEW
Project Patch Main | Project Patch Details

PP-48-TT |PP-96-1 | PP-48-1 (Discontinued)

Project Patch Details

Interface Connectors The key to the system is the modular Project Patch interface connector. At the patchbay, each group of 8 top and bottom jacks appears on rear mounted gold plated connectors. Project Patch cables are fitted with mating connectors with are end-to-end stackable, so each 8-channel jack group can be subdivided into any combination of 2-channel or 4-channel circuits. Of course, a signal 8-channel cable may be plugged into each group for convenience. These connectors make the rear of each Project Patchbay a miniature "cross-connect" where you can lay out your patchbay just the way you want it.
	Project Patch connectors are end-to-end stackable, so there are no wasted patch points. Each 8-channel group connector may be matched with (4) 2-channel cables, (2) 4-channel cables, (1) 8-channel cable, or any combination you desire.
	Connectors available in 2, 4 and 8-channels, which are end-to-end stackable.

Normalling

Normalling is a wiring scheme whereby a signal path is established from one audio device to another without the use of a patch cord. This is known as the "normal path". Normal signal paths may be interrupted and re-directed by inserting a patch cord into the front of the patchbay. The most common and easiest normal path to implement is from the top jack to the bottom jack. Other brands of "configurable" patchbays allows this "normal-down" type only. The Project Patchbay works differently - we bring out the normals to connectors on the rear of the patchbay so you can do what you want with them. It's easy to set-up a "straight-down" normal. Just install one PP-JMP-8A jumper per group of 8 jacks (6 jumpers total do a whole bay). But you are not limited to this simplicity. For example, a 2-mix output bus can be multed across 3 stereo pairs at the top and normalled into 3 tape machines, either below the outputs or in another part of the patchbay, or an 8-channel mix bus can be repeated 3 times to provide 24 track tape sends for your MDM's.

Project Patch Cables

All of our cables are made in America by Signal Transport™, in accordance with standards developed through years of high end installations. The raw cable is made to our specifications by Belden. It's a 24 awg and each twisted pair is individually shielded, jacketed and numbered. The cable is rated type CM in accordance with the National Electrical Code for permanent installation. All cables are fitted with the modular Project Patch Connector at the patchbay end. When choosing your cables, keep your patchbay layout in mind. 8-ch cables are convenient for large groupings of signals (line inputs, bus outputs), whereas 4-ch and 2-ch cables are more flexible in their placement.

Ordering Cables

When ordering length is specified as overall length (squid breakouts subtracted from the total). All ordering numbers are shown for 10 ft. cables. Standard lengths are 10 ft. and 25 ft. (to order 25 ft. cables replace designated 10 with 25). Custom Cables are available. Contact us for a quote on any custom requirements.

Input/Output

Type I/O:

Input/Output (Type I/O) cables provide signal flow both to and from the equipment in a single cable. This is necessary where the connector on the equipment is bi-directional (i.e. console insert).

Console Insert:

• For consoles with channel inserts on a single 1/4" TRS connector.
• 1/4" rings are on one connector and tips are on the other.

2-ch/two 2-ch cables: PP-04-10-IO-INS
4-ch/two 4-ch cables: PP-08-10-IO-INS
8-ch/two 8-ch cables: PP-16-10-IO-INS

Mono I/O Device:

• For use with mono devices with XLR inputs and outputs.
• Input is placed to left of output on patchbay.

2 channels: PP-02-10-IO-XLR

Multipin

Type MP:

Multipin (type MP) cables are designed to work with a variety of equipment with multipin connectors for audio, such as the popular Modular Digital Multiracks. Channel counts are dictated by the style.

Alesis ADAT:

• Two 8-pair cables wired to an EDAC 56 pin.
• Handles all 8-ch of inputs and outputs.
• One required for each machine.

PP-16-10-MP-MDMI

Tascam DA-88:

• One 8-ch cable wired to a sub-D-25 connector.
• Handling of all 8-ch of inputs and outputs.
• Two required for each machine.

PP-08-10-MP-MDM2

Fostex RD-8:

• One 8-ch cable wired to a sub-D-25 connector.
• Handling all 8-ch inputs and outputs.
• Two required for each machine.

PP-08-10-MP-MDM3

Signal Transport Synth Driver:

• Two 8-ch cables wired to an EDAC 56-pin.
• Handling 16-ch of Synth Driver outputs.
• Synth Driver provides proper balancing and drive for any unbalanced synthesizer.

PP-16-10-MP-SYDI

Squid

Type SQ:

Squid (Type SQ) are cables with a 12" fan out at the equipment end and are terminated in single channel connectors such as 1/4" phone plugs or XLR's. They are used for equipment such as mixers, synthesizers, tape machines, and anything else that uses these connectors. When choosing 1/4" squids be sure to verify whether your equipment is balanced or unbalanced.

1/4" Unbalanced Phone:

• Most common squid for synthesizers and semipro mixing consoles.
• Unbalanced at the equipment end - shield and lo tied to sleeve.
• Fitted with high quality 1/4" phone plugs.

2 channels: PP-02-10-SQ-1/4U
4 channels: PP-04-10-SQ-1/4U
8 channels: PP-08-10-SQ-1/4U

1/4" Balanced Phone:

• For balanced equipment.
• Fitted with high quality 1/4" phone plugs (TRS).
• Wired in balanced mode.
• Do not use on unbalanced equipment.

2 channels: PP-02-10-SQ-1/4B
4 channels: PP-04-10-SQ-1/4B
8 channels: PP-08-10-SQ-1/4B

Male XLR:

• For equipment wired with 3-pin XLR's.
• Follows AES standard for polarity.
• Pin 2 Hot.

2 channels: PP-02-10-SQ-XLRM
4 channels: PP-04-10-SQ-XLRM
8 channels: PP-08-10-SQ-XLRM

Female XLR:

• For equipment wired with 3-pin XLR's.
• Follows AES standard for polarity.
• Pin 2 Hot.

2 channels: PP-02-10-SQ-XLRF
4 channels: PP-04-10-SQ-XLRF
8 channels: PP-08-10-SQ-XLRF

RCA Phono:

• RCA phono connectors.
• Found in hi-fi and semipro equipment interface.

2 channels: PP-02-10-SQ-RCA
4 channels: PP-04-10-SQ-RCA
8 channels: PP-08-10-SQ-RCA

Accessories

Raw cable and connectors so you can do it yourself. If you are wiring your own studio, it might help to take a look at the System Performance section on the last page of this booklet.

Stub Ends:

• For making your own custom cables.
• Project Patch connector is professionally crimped (shield lifted).
• No termination at equipment end.

2 channels: PP-02-STUB-10
4 channels: PP-04-STUB-10
8 channels: PP-08-STUB-10

Mating Connectors:

• For making your own custom Project Patch cables.
• Pins sold in quantities of 100 pieces.
• Gold-plated contacts.
• Requires special crimp tool.

2 channels: PP-CON-2CH
4 channels: PP-CON-4CH
8 channels: PP-CON-8CH
Pins (100): PP-CON-P100
Crimp Tool: PP-CT

Raw Cable:

• For making your own cables.
• High quality Belden 24 awg twisted pair, individually jacketed, foiled shielded, and numbered cable. Rated type CM in accordance with the National Electrical Code.

2 channels: PP-02-CABLE-2PR
4 channels: PP-04-CABLE-4PR
8 channels: PP-08-CABLE-8PR

Patch Cords

Project Patch is complemented with a line of Mogami Mini (t.t., bantam) patch cords. These cords are available in red or black and supplied in several lengths.

Ordering information:

Normalling Jumpers

Normalling jumpers are available for many common applications, and we are developing new designs as we go along. Please call with your requirements - we may have it. You can also make your own from mating connectors, using 24 awg hook-up wire. There is no need to shield a connection this short.

2-Ch Wild Jumper:

• Wired with single pair twisted unshielded wire.
• Plug-in from any top row main connector to any bottom row normal connector creating a wild normal.

2 inch: PP-JMP-2A-2
6 inch: PP-JMP-2A-6
12 inch: PP-JMP-2A-12
18 inch: PP-JMP-2A-18

2-Ch Daisy Chain:

• Daisy chain of 6 individual 2-ch connectors with 2 inches between each.
• Use to create a 2-mix bus mult/normals to multiple tape machines or other 2-ch normals.
• Longer chains can be cut into shorter ones.

String of 6 connectors: PP-JMP-2C-6
String of 12 connectors: PP-JMP-2C-12

4-Way Mult:

• Single 4-ch Project Patch connector (PP-CON-4CH), with all 4 circuits wired together.
• Simply plug into top or bottom row to mult together 4 jacks.

4 channel mult: PP-JMP-1A

8-Ch straight down:

• Most common, for normaling straight down.
• Creates a half-normalled patchbay.
• 6 required to fully load one bay.

PP-JMP-8A

8-Ch down / multed output:

• Short flat wire jumper with extra male output.
• For applications where a separate monitor is required in addition to the normal, or use a 2-ch flexible jumper to bring signals up from other parts of the patchbay.
• 6 required to fully load one bay.

PP-JMP-8B

8-Ch multitrack chain:

• A daisy chain to create multiple outputs from a single group of 8-busses.
• Plugs across groups of 8, linking all top jacks together so 9-16, 17-24 etc. are repeats of 1-8, with all jacks normalled down.

16 channels (4 con): PP-JMP-8C-16
24 channels (6 con): PP-JMP-8C-24
32 channels (8 con): PP-JMP-8C-32

System Performance

When you buy equipment with digital audio performance, you expect to be able to get the same performance in your studio. So how come it buzzes when you hook it up with off-the-shelf patchbays and cabling? Because a system of audio equipment can be susceptible to noise if not wired properly. This subject is the source of much confusion and frustration in small installations. We base the Project Patch system on a simple, proven philosophy, developed over years of small and large system installations. When you do a Project Patch install according to our instructions, you get a system that works the first time, every time.

Grounding and Shielding

The most insidious route by which hum and noise enter your system is via currents injected into the shield terminal of certain equipment that is sensitive to that current. The easiest way to avoid this is to follow the "one end only" rule - disconnect all audio shields at one end to break the ground loop responsible for current flow (this is why our cables come standard with shields disconnected at the patchbay end). For the rule to work, all equipment must be grounded, usually through the third wire of the power cord or the rack rail. If you have equipment which is not grounded by one of these means, you must supply a wire to the chassis. One the Project Patchbay, jack shields are bussed and brought out to a binding post on the back panel for connection to your system ground. This is simply to provide a ground reference to the patch cord shield, and can be a wire to a console equipment chassis. Rear panel jumpers allow shield lifting in groups of 8 channels for further flexibility. When used with stock Project Patch cables these jumpers are left in place.

Unbalanced Audio

Project Patch is designed with fully balanced wiring throughout. Best results will always be achieved with balanced equipment, but unbalanced equipment will also work, if you pay close attention to what will be patched together. Simply put, the best performance is from a balanced output driving a balanced input. The worst is anything driving an unbalanced input. If you can, use outboard balancing devices to balance your equipment. Keep in mind that a system with a lot of unbalanced inputs will probably buzz unless exceptional care is taken with the power and the grounding. On unbalanced cables we tie the signal low and shield together at the equipment end. If you are experiencing difficulties with unbalanced equipment, take a look at Signal Transport's Synth Driver - a high density balancing amplifier system which can convert all your unbalanced outputs to balanced.

As the recording industry evolves, many production studios are moving out of large facilities and into smaller project rooms. There has been a significant shift in the quality of recording equipment going up and its cost going down. Because of this, the need for optimized wiring interfaces to extract the absolute best performance from this equipment is greater than ever. However, many studios or private project rooms, can't afford nor need to have a professional installation team come in and wire their facility. What are needed are modular systems that help the "do-it-yourself" type of person put together a system quickly, easily, and inexpensively. So we had an idea - build a patch bay wired with a printed circuit board, incorporate high quality, inexpensive gold plated header connectors and offer a full line of modular cables to compliment it and allow quick, plug-in installation. Project Patch is a concept that's long overdue.

Project Patch | Studio Kits | Synth Driver | Modular Panel System | Swing Rack