dbx PB48 - Manual

PB-48 Patchbay
I
NTRODUCTION
U
NDERSTANDING PATCHBAYS AND THE
dbx
PB - 48
(1-A) Full-Normalled or Half-Normalled Patchbay (1-B) Half-Normalled [Mult-ed] Patchbay
(1-C) Half-Normalled Patchbay (1-D) De-Normalled Patchbay
[With Rear-Panel Normal Connection Broken]
Figure 1: Normalled, Half-Normalled and De-Normalled Patchbay Operation
SIGNAL FLOW
FRONT BACK
SOURCE 1
OUT
IN
IN
OUT
BACK
SIGNAL FLOW
FRONT
TO LOAD 2
TO LOAD 1
SOURCE 2
SOURCE
OUT IN
OUT
BACK
SIGNAL FLOW
FRONT
TO LOAD 1
TO LOAD 2
SOURCE
IN
OUT
BACK
SIGNAL FLOW
FRONT
TO LOAD
The PB-48 is shipped from the factory with its circuit boards installed for
half-normalled patchbay operation. Normalled means that audio signal
automatically flows between a vertical pair of patchbay jacks without the
need for patchcords (see Figure 1-A). Normalled patchbays may be half-
normalled or full-normalled. In the half-normalled PB-48, each rear-panel
upper jack is respectively normalled to the jack directly below it as long
as nothing is plugged into the lower front-panel jack. Half-normalled
means that plugging into the upper front-panel jack does not break the
connection between the upper and lower rear-panel jacks, but splits the
signal to two destinations, while plugging into the lower front-panel jack
breaks the connection (see Figures 1-B and 1-C). Note: A full-normalled patch bay’s rear-panel connections are broken when plugging into either
front-panel jack.
A simple example of using half-normalled operation: connect a mixer’s
monitor out to one of the PB-48’s rear-panel upper jacks, then connect
the rear-panel jack directly below it to a power amplifier. The “normalled”
signal will flow from the mixer monitor out to the power amplifier, and will
only be broken when a connection is made to the corresponding front-
panel lower jack.
Congratulations on purchasing the dbx PB-48 rackmountable patchbay.
The PB-48 features 48 front panel patchpoints and 48 rear panel patch-
points, from 24 user-adjustable board assemblies that can be configured
for Half-Normalled or De-Normalled patchbay operation without solder-
ing or cutting wires. The PB-48 is a rugged, noise-free, patchbay
designed to serve all your patchbay needs, from providing clear and
easy access to your mixer and other studio gear, to reducing the wear
and tear on their jacks, to facilitating quick and precise re-routing of
devices within your studio setup. PB-48 patchbay jacks accept balanced
TRS or unbalanced TS standard audio 1/4” plugs. We recommend that you take a moment and read through this instruc-
tion sheet as it provides information that will assist you in using your
patchbay to its fullest. Explanations of standard patchbay jargon, with
plenty of pictures, are included to help de-mystify common patchbay
points of entanglement and clear up any misunderstandings you might
have. Examples, suggestions and tips are provided as a starting point
only. Experiment with different setups, so that you find the setup that
best fits your system.
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