Fiber optic patch panel, also known as a cross-connect patch panel, is a gathering of port locations in a centralized hardware device merging communications between multiple users. The actual fiber optics of individual cables can be separated out and spliced to individual fibers on other cables within the patch panel, creating multiple connections and routing options. The fiber optic patch panel makes it safe to work with exposed fibers.
Fiber optic patch panels come in two different types. The first is a wall mounted unit, which in its basic configuration, can keep up to a dozen fibers separate from one another. If there are unused fibers in a cable that is being used in a patch panel, an engineer can route these fibers to another patch panel, or a patch panel designed to hold more individual fibers can be used. Wall mounted fiber optic patch panels can be built to house up to 144 fibers separately.
The second type of fiber optic patch panel is a rack mounted panel. Usually built to open like a drawer, individual fibers are held horizontally. The ability to slide the panel open exposes all of the individual connections, making modifications and updates an easy fix. Engineers often times use a fiber optic patch panel to test individual fibers within an optical cable. The ability to separate individual fibers makes it easier to pinpoint a faulty connection. Testing of connections is a much more efficient way to organize and detect signal flow issues within a network hub.
Fiber optic cables have to be split at one end to expose individual fibers. These fibers can then be sent to individual ports containing fiber optic adaptors, which can then be used to plug in different combinations of devices. Adaptors on a fiber optic patch panel can come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
If you want to discuss how a fiber optic patch panel can improve your workflow in your recording studio, drop us a line at +1 (818) 500-8142 or email us at marketing@bittree.com
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What is a patch cord?
What is a patch cord? A patch cord (also called a patch cable), is an insulated cord containing a plug at both ends, used in computer networking, audio production, television, theatrical and film production.
Patch cords are typically copper cables containing an RJ45, GG45, or TERA connector on both ends, although many different custom versions exist for varying applications. It is also common for patch cords to be tailor made to different lengths, enabling the customization of computer networking hubs, patch panels, and patch bays, which are found in audio production environments. Patch cords can also be used to connect a server or switch port to an installed cabling system.
Patch cords are found in commercial and home recording setups. These cords range in length from a few inches to as long as 100 feet in professional sound reinforcement applications and live concert settings. Patch cords of shorter lengths are used to connect floor stompbox style effects commonly used in guitar setups, enabling the user to create various types of effects together for different sound combinations. Typically, a mono instrument patch cord coming from the output of an electric guitar carries the signal flow to the effects, which is then routed by another mono patch cord to a guitar amp or recording interface. Patch cords connect drum machines, effects devices, analog synthesizers and external hardware devices together in various configurations, often facilitated by the use of a patch panel or patch bay.
Patch cords are often one of the most overlooked aspects of a home recording setup. The importance of having good audio patch cords is significant in maintaining consistent signal flow and optimizing the performance of your gear. Poor cables are single-handedly one of the biggest culprits of technical issues in studio setups, and should be tested immediately if performance of hardware, patch bays or other devices seem erratic or inconsistent
If you want to discuss how good patch cords can improve your workflow in your recording studio, drop us a line at +1 (818) 500-8142 or email us at marketing@bittree.com
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How to make a patch cable
How to make a patch cable is a skill that can greatly reduce the cost of buying expensive ethernet and audio cables, as well as giving you the option of creating custom lengths for a centralized network hub, patch panel, or patch bay.. This gives much more flexibility in the planning of shared networks and can create a cleaner working environment, simplifying the process of having to make changes to your network at a later time.
Making different lengths of Cat5 cabling is easy, and can be achieved by first purchasing a box of bulk Cat5 cable and RJ 45 connectors. If Cat6 is your game, this can still be done but will set you back around 20% more in cost.
Ethernet cables are made in two different varieties, straight through or crossover. Straight through patch cable, or patch cords as they are also called, allow for longer cable runs, and are the standard type of networking patch cable. Crossover patch cables connect computers directly together without the use of a router, hub, or switch.
How to make a patch cable in audio production can offer many of the same benefits as in computer networking, but require different types of cable. A good standard choice of making patch cables for audio production is coax, or coaxial cable. These make a very neat and tidy patch cord. You can even add a color heat (a covered shrink on the ends of the cord), which can help you organize, personalize and identify signal flow.
One only need to make two connections in making an audio cable: the tip (signal), and the ground. Make these connections using a soldering gun, which are readily available at hardware stores and electrical supply outlets
The benefits of making your own patch cables have many benefits. The ability to create custom lengths for your applications can result in a cleaner signal flow and network organization, and the cost saved is worth investing the time to understand and learn the process.
If you want to discuss how a patch cables can improve your workflow in your recording studio, drop us a line at +1 (818) 500-8142 or email us at marketing@bittree.com
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How to wire a patch panel
How to wire a patch panel is entirely dependent on the type of application you are using a patch panel for. Are you connecting a computer network together in one centralized location? Are you using it in combination with radio and television broadcasting? Is commercial or home recording your primary focus? How to wire a patch panel comes down to the kind of gear you are using, and what your intended application is. A patch panel can greatly organize your workspace and workflow, and can help in identifying issues with signal flow.
Your first step in how to wire a patch panel is to acquire one through an electrical supply store or outlet. Patch panels should contain 110 style insulation displacement connectors, and have terminations in varying numbers. Make sure to account for all incoming ethernet connections in selecting your patch panel.
Making a cable diagram map for the system administrator informing them as to which incoming cables are terminated at patch panel connectors is a good idea Labeling connections enables technicians to identify problems, creating an easy guide for future upgrades and changes within your network.
On each incoming ethernet cable, the covering jacket needs to be removed. Use wire strippers and give yourself at least two inches of length at the end of each cable. If your ethernet cables are CAT6, there will be a small internal plastic jacket under the outside cable jacket that will als need to be removed. CAT5 cables do not have this added layer, so this step is not necessary. Wire strippers are available at any hardware store or electrical supply outlet.
The next step in how to wire a patch panel is to untwist the individual cable wires within the cable and spread them all out. There will be four twisted pairs of these wires within the cable, and are color coded with 4 solid colors within each wire pair, and four identical wires with a white stripe around their counterpart. Take each of these 8 individual wires and plug them in individually to the 110 style connector within the patch panel in the outlet that has been chosen as the input destination. There is a color coded label on the patch panel that indicates where each wire is to be placed within the input location. Make sure each connection sets properly within the teeth of the insulation displacement connector.
Finally, use a patch panel push tool to secure each set of wire into the teeth of the input and output of the patch panels input displacement connector. If you want to discuss how to wire a patch panel can improve your workflow, drop us a line at +1 (818) 500-8142 or email us at marketing@bittree.com
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How to use a jack
How to use a jack in audio production depends on your end objective. On linux (a computer operating system that manages hardware resources), jack is the standard software used for controlling audio. Jack stands for “Jack audio connection kit”, and is a sound server that handles the demands of audio production assignments. Controlling the routing of audio and midi signals in audio recording, jack also controls sample rate, hardware buffer settings, and latency controls. A jack is also simply the end metal tip of an audio cable that connects to a port in a hardware device.
How to use a jack In audio recording - latency is an extremely important factor in capturing instrumental and vocal performances. The less latency you have, the more accurate a performance can be. Jack allows you to achieve low latency settings in audio and midi recording, and also allows you to select whatever hardware device you want to use for your recording session. Jack also allows you to use various programs together, syncing them so that they can share information and commands.
There are various types of jacks used in audio production. ¼”, ⅛”, XLR, Ethernet, and TTl’s (tiny telephone lines) connect hardware together. A jack plug forms the connection between hardware devices and multi effects units, allowing for a wide variety of sound creation options. A jack can be worn out from overuse in time, needing to be replaced. The use of a patch panel or a patch bay can extend the life of a jack, allowing devices to be connected for long periods of uninterrupted work flow. Devices can be plugged and unplugged at the patch bay or patch panel instead of having to be connected and disconnected at the inputs and outputs of hardware, thus prolonging the lifespan and functionality of your gear.
And for all of you other folks that made it this far into the post, I’m assuming you are not looking for the way a car jack is used. But if so, make sure you park on a solid surface to begin. Next, set your parking brake. Third, use wheel jocks if you got ‘em. Finally, make sure you check your jack to confirm that it is in working order. If all else fails, it may be a good time to call AAA (disclaimer - I am in no way am affiliated with AAA).
If you need a bit of TLC in understanding how to use a jack, or If you want to discuss how a jack software system can improve your workflow in your recording studio, drop us a line at +1 (818) 500-8142 or email us at marketing@bittree.com
We love to talk signal flow! Now get out there and plug em’ in.
What is a TRS cable?
What is a TRS cable? A TRS cable is made up of two conductors and a ground shield. A conductor is a type of material or object that allows the flow of electrical current in one or more directions, and a ground shield is composed of one or more insulated conductors surrounded by a common conductive cover. The shield is used to reduce noise affecting the signal flow, and also to decrease electromagnetic radiation that can affect other electrical devices. TRS cables are used mainly to affix balanced equipment or combining both left and right mono channels in stereo headphones.
A TRS cable is composed of three conductors: a tip (T), ring (R), and a sleeve (S). These are all connected by different conductors within the cable. A standard guitar cable consists of a Tip and Sleeve only. The jack plug at the top of the cable is a TS cable. The pointed metal end is (wait for it) the tip, and the sleeve is the metal shaft running down about two inches from the top of the cable. There is a small black band between these two parts that keep the tip and the sleeve from shorting out against each other. These TS cables are typically used for carrying mono signals from electric guitars and basses to their respective amplifiers.
There is another type of TRS cable, which combines all elements of the stereo field. This is a TRRS cable, which has two rings and four conductors. These chords are often used in stereo headsets that contain a built-in microphone, a left and right channel respectively, and a ground. The TS cable and the TRS cable come in different jack sizes. The most common is the ¼”, also known as the telephone jack, as these were the first type of plugs to be used in telephone switching operations. The diameter at the sleeve is ¼”, which is where the name comes from. The ⅛” or 3.5mm jack are commonly used with computers and handheld devices.
TRS cables can be found in many different applications, from connecting electric guitars and patch bays, to the routing of various hardware and multi effects units together in commercial and home studios. There are differences in the quality of TRS cables, and can have a significant effect on the sound captured in audio recording and signal flow in a variety of live sound applications. TRS cables are also used in home security systems, providing protection from radio frequency interference and power surges.
If you want to discuss how TRS cables can improve your workflow in your recording studio, drop us a line at +1 (818) 500-8142 or email us at marketing@bittree.com
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What is a patch cable?
What is a patch cable - A patch cable, also known as a patch cord or patch lead, is an electrical or optical cable that connects devices together for signal routing purposes. Devices such as computers are connected to routing devices (modems) by the use of patch cables allowing the communication of data from one device to another. There are different types of patch cables and patch cords, and are often produced in different colors to aid in organization of signal-flow. Microphone cables, instrument cables, XLR, ethernet, headphone extension cables, and TTL (tiny telephone lines) are all considered patch cables, carrying audio or video signals.
Differences in patch cables vary depending on their applications. Computer cables such as CAT5 and CAT6 are used in supporting network duties, with CAT5 being an older version with a more limited bandwidth capability, supporting networks up to around 100MB. CAT6 support network connections upwards of 1GB. The difference in the cable is the amount of twists that exist between the pairs of wires that are inside of the cables.
Patch cables are of varying lengths. Shorter patch cables can be used within rack mounted hardware setups, connecting hardware devices and effects units from one to another. Patch cables are also used in connecting various stompbox style pedals used in guitar applications. Some varieties are literally ¼” to ¼” plugs with no wire between them whatsoever. Typically, the shorter the cable, the better the connection. Patch cables are more flexible than standard copper cables, as copper cables are used in more permanent applications such as building infrastructure.
Different types of patch cables are often found in home and commercial recording studios, and are the cornerstone of any audio and recording setup. Microphones (typically using three pin XLR connectors) are routed to PA systems and mixing consoles, but can also make a stop at your favorite mic pre or effects device before input to impart different textures and sounds.
A wide range of electronic instruments use ¼” mono patch cables in connecting instruments to amplifiers such as electric guitars, electric basses, keyboards, drum machines, samplers, electric pianos, etc. Longer patch cables extending from 10’ to 20’ are used in connecting instruments to amplifiers and mixing consoles, with shorter patch cables (2” to 12”) connecting effects devices and stompbox style effects.
The importance of patch cables are often overlooked, until one goes bad. Understanding proper signal flow can maximize your recording experiences, but your experience can only be as good as your connections allow. Don’t get caught up in the downfall of bad cables! If you want to discuss how patch cables can improve your workflow in your recording studio, drop us a line at +1 (818) 500-8142 or email us at marketing@bittree.com
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