XLR 32 Patchbays Black Lion Audio Owner’s Manual
- June 9, 2024
- BLACK LION AUDIO
Table of Contents
XLR 32 Patchbays Black Lion Audio
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
- Read these instructions.
- Keep these instructions
- Heed all warnings.
- Follow all instructions.
- Do not use this apparatus near water.
- Clean only with dry cloth.
- Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat.
- Use only attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer
- Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
- Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
- This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing, and no object filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.
- Any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this apparatus.
NOTICE
This manual provides general information, preparation for use, installation
and operating instructions for the Black Lion Audio PBR-Series Patchbays. The
information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice.
Black Lion Audio makes no warranties of any kind with regard to this manual,
including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose. Black Lion Audio shall not be liable for
errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, incidental, or
consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use
of this material. ©2023 Black Lion Audio. The Black Lion Audio ‘Lion Face’
logo, BLA, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Black Lion Audio. This
manual and any associated intellectual property are subject to copyright
protection. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without
explicit written consent from Black Lion Audio.
SIGNAL FLOW IN YOUR PATCHBAY
The flow of signal through a patchbay module is affected by both physical connections and mode setting (Normalled, Non-normalled, or Half-Normalled.) The most common configuration for a patchbay is for signals to come in to the patchbay from the top rear connections, and out of the patchbay from the bottom rear connections. Conversely, on the front of the patchbay, the top row connections are outputs and the bottom row connections are inputs.
With jacks connected to the top rear and bottom rear of a single patchbay module, signals coming into a top rear connection are passed directly through to the output on the bottom rear, as shown here. This connection style should be used for your hardware’s “default” configuration – the way you want your signals to flow on a day-to-day basis.
When no jacks are connected to the top connections of a module, a signal from the front bottom input is passed through to the rear bottom output.
When all four jacks are connected to a patchbay module, a signal connected to a rear top input of the patchbay is passed to the front top output, while signal from the front bottom input is passed to the rear bottom output.
NORMALLED OPERATION
When a module is set to Normalled and connections are made to the top rear and top front jacks, the signal is passed through from the top rear to the top front – breaking the connection shown in figure 1.
NORMAL MODE
A Normalled configuration allows you to run several devices in series by using patch cables on the front of the patchbay to interconnect several of your devices. For example, you could run a signal from a preamp, to a compressor, and finally to a reverb. A cable inserted into the bottom rear will have its connection broken when a cable is inserted into the top front.
HALF-NORMALLED OPERATION
When a module is set to Half-Normalled and connections are made to the rear
top, rear bottom, and front top jacks, the signal is passed through from the
top rear to the top front – without breaking the connection shown in figure 1.
This allows you to use the patchbay as a mult (splitter), sending the signal coming into the patchbay to two different destinations; very useful for parallel processing of your signal and monitoring applications. Inserting a cable in to the front bottom jack of a half-normalled module will break the connection between the rear jacks.
NON-NORMALLED OPERATION (THRU)
AKA “open” or “thru.” In non-normalled configuration, the top and bottom rows of jacks are not connected at all. Modules set to non-normalled operation will pass signal straight through from front-to-back or back-to-front, but not vertically. Useful for setups where you do not want your devices to automatically route anywhere.
ON PHANTOM POWER
We advise against running phantom power through your patchbay, as this makes
it possible to send phantom power to a device not designed to handle it;
expensive damage could result!
CONNECTIONS
The PBR TRS3 offers 96 points of connectivity for your studio gear, allowing
for permanent installation and routing of your favorite hardware while still
allowing for flexible and creative patching.
The PBR TRS3 Patchbay offers Normalled, Non-Normalled, and Half-Normalled
operation, switchable from the baack of the unit on a per-module basis. A
module, in this context, is any set of vertically-aligned jacks on the
patchbay.
A typical patchbay configuration will have device outputs sent to the top rear row of patch points with device Inputs connected to the rear bottom row. For example, you would connect the Input of a delay unit or compresssor to a rear bottom row connection of the patchbay, and its Output to a rear top row conection.
- Balanced 1/4” TRS connection: Accepts 1/4” jacks for connecting and routing your audio gear. Accepts balanced (TRS) and unbalanced (TS) connections.
- Normal/Non-Normalled/Half-Normalled Switches: Switches the routing for its respective module between Normal, Non-Normal, and Half Normalled operation.
- Switch left = Half-Normal
- Switch mid = Non-Normal (Thru)
- Switch right = Normal
A note on cable choice:
We’ve tested the following brands of cables for a secure, reliable connection:
Hosa, Mogami, Rean, Neutrik, and RedCo. We advise against using cables from
other manufacturers.