Advice for patch plate on amp rack

[Bothy Cat]

Hi Folks, our band is looking to bring in a foh engineer for some gigs still using our own PA, but up until now we have racked all amps & fx in one 12U rack and need to split this into 2 racks now.

 

This will leave the stage rack with 2 xFOH amps (2 way), 1 x monitor amp (2 way) and 1 x Martin Audio WX3A Xover. At the moment the rear of our rack is a dogs dinner of leads, and as part of this we were looking to get a patch plate on the front of the rack to plug in the 4 x speakons to the FOH speakers, 2 x speakons for the monitors and 4 x XLR or speakon? returns from the stagebox. Does that sound right?...

 

Does anybody know if these can be bought off the shelf or if not any recommendations to get one made up at reasonable cost?

 

cheers

mike

[Dave SA]

If you send me an email I could make up a patch panel for you to your requirements. :)

 

Dave@spartanaudio.co.uk

[dunk_1984]

Does anybody know if these can be bought off the shelf or if not any recommendations to get one made up at reasonable cost?

 

Normally you will buy a pre cut plate then insert the connectors of your choice and blank off any that remain.

 

Alternatively speak to a local hire company who will no doubt be able to do this for you.

[Gareth Owen]

I beleive Neutrik make panels with cutouts to take their D-Sized chasis mount connectors. The panel for you would be a 1u version with the relevant bits mounted in its 16 cutouts. If your profecient with the solder you should be able to make it yourself with no problems.

 

Check out Neutriks website here and take a look at their assembley guides here.

 

Should work out nice and neat, be relativley cheap, and, since its Neutrik it should last well too.

[MarkPAman]

You need a Rack panel

4 XLRs

6 2 pole speakons (unless you need 4 pole, which still fit), and

6 Blanks.

 

You may want to consider giving each XLR input a parrallel output to make patching to extra equipment easier

 

Also, if you're happy and safe to do mains stuff you might also consider a Powercon

[Simon Lewis]

It's unlikely that your exact configuration will be available off the shelf, but as Gareth suggests, there are "kits" available.

 

Firms such as VDC and Canford will gladly make you a panel up, but you have to specify the wiring exactly, and you will pay for their services. The same companies, together with others (Studiospares etc.) will sell you a 19" panel with a number of Neutrik D series 24mm cutouts. Simply put the XLRs and Speakons in as needed, wire them up, put a bit of labelling on so you know what plugs in where, and Bob's your uncle.

 

http://www.studiospares.com/content/ebiz/studiospares/invt/405620/405620_l.jpg

 

 

PS... I'd suggest you make sure your connectors are well known brands (e.g. Neutrik). Some suppliers sell copies of Switchcraft or Neutrik, and they're often poorer quality construction and finish...

[MarkPAman]

Should have added -

These are much easier to use than individual nuts.

[mervaka]

I just pop-riveted mine.

[Rob_Beech]

Use 4 pole speakons.

 

There's a small chance you're using NL2 connectors which will fit ok, but NL4 connectors won't fit into the NL2 sockets and most speaker leads come with NL4 as standard even when they're 2 core.

 

With a patch panel like that (and speaker dependant) you could wire 2 speakons up with all 4 poles connected and use 4 core cable to cut out 1 cable run per side just using a 4 core crossed pair link cable per side.

[Mixermend]

It is hardly worth punching your own blank panels when CPC have a big range at really low prices.

 

CPC Web site

 

Look at:

 

DP29486 (£4.00 plus VAT) - this has 12 'D' type holes for XLR, Speakon or Powercon - and jack sockets, phono sockets and many other connectors being available in Neutrik 24mm hole format. This also has a tie bar to secure the cables - I regard this as essential - if the rack is to be moved, or spend its life on the road.

 

It is probably best to avoid rack strips with 16 holes - I think that the connectors are too close together for fast and accurate setting up!

 

DP28777 4 HOLE

DP28778 6 HOLE

DP28779 8 HOLE

 

There are also types with IEC style mains receptacle size holes. If you have a current catalogue - pages 1410 and 1411 - if not search on their Web site.

 

As mentioned above - it is vital for reliability and longevity to secure the cables terminated to the connectors - my favourite way is to mount a right angled piece of aluminium on spacers, or long machine screws - about 40mm behind the front panel. This is drilled with 12mm holes in line with the front panel holes - with cable glands fitted to secure the cables. Do NOT let them just hang on the soldered connections - sooner or later one will break off - never at a sound check or rehearsal - always at that important gig.......