TL;DR – Bottom Line Up Front: If you need more inputs/outputs in your studio, choose a patchbay for analog routing flexibility at $50-500, or additional digital converters for pristine sound quality at $170-3000+. Patchbays win for workflow efficiency and avoiding multiple A/D conversions. Additional converters win for maximum audio quality and expandability. Budget producers: start with a Behringer PX3000 at $75 or Neutrik NYS-SPP-L1 at $150. Quality-focused producers: invest in converters.
The Studio I/O Dilemma: More Connections, Better Music
Every music producer faces this crossroads: your studio is growing, your gear collection is expanding, but your audio interface is running out of inputs and outputs. You’re constantly unplugging gear, crawling behind racks, and losing creative momentum while switching connections.
Two solutions dominate the conversation: installing a patchbay to route your existing connections more efficiently, or investing in additional digital converters to expand your total I/O count. Each approach serves different needs, budgets, and workflow preferences.
This comprehensive guide breaks down both options with real costs, technical specifications, and practical advice to help you make the right choice for your studio setup.
Understanding Your Options: Patchbay vs Additional Converters
What Is a Patchbay?
A patchbay acts as the central nervous system of your studio, bringing all inputs and outputs to an easily accessible front panel. It connects all of the inputs and outputs of your outboard gear into a centralized hub, allowing you to route one device to the next without needing to go behind a rack full of gear in order to change one thing.
Modern patchbays typically offer 48 connection points in a single rack unit, with 24 inputs and 24 outputs accessible from the front panel. The typical audio patchbay uses TRS jacks and patch cables, though you can find versions that use XLR jacks, RCA plugs, mono TS jacks, and other connector types depending on your studio’s specific requirements.
Patchbays offer several key features that make them valuable in studio environments. Normalling configurations allow you to set up default signal paths that work automatically without patch cables, while still providing the flexibility to override these connections when needed. Full-normal, half-normal, and non-normalled routing options give you complete control over how signals flow through your system. Connection points typically range from 48 to 96 per rack unit, and connector types include quarter-inch TRS, XLR, TT (Bantam), and RCA options. Price ranges generally span from $200 to $1500 for home studio applications, making them accessible across various budget levels.
What Are Additional Digital Converters?
Additional digital converters expand your total input/output count by adding more analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion points to your system. Audio interfaces are an integral part of any studio setup, from home to professional studios, and today they offer a wealth of functionalities that extend far beyond their original simple conversion duties.
These units connect to your main interface via digital connections such as ADAT, USB, or Thunderbolt and provide additional analog I/O with their own preamps and converters. This approach gives you genuine expansion of your recording capability rather than just reorganizing existing connections.
Additional converters provide several compelling advantages for growing studios. They typically offer 8 to 32 additional analog I/O channels per unit, effectively doubling or tripling your recording capacity. High-quality preamps and converters ensure that your expanded channels maintain professional audio standards. Digital connectivity options including ADAT, USB, Thunderbolt, and AES connections provide flexible integration with existing equipment. Price ranges vary significantly from $170 to $5000 or more, depending on channel count, converter quality, and additional features like built-in DSP processing or advanced routing capabilities.
Cost Analysis: Patchbay vs Additional Converters
Patchbay Investment Breakdown
Ultra-budget patchbay setup (48 points):
- Behringer PX3000 Ultrapatch Pro: $75
- 48 x TRS patch cables (2ft): $240 ($5 each)
- Basic rear panel cabling: $100
- Total initial cost: $415
Budget patchbay setup (48 points):
- Neutrik NYS-SPP-L1: $150
- 48 x TRS patch cables (2ft): $240 ($5 each)
- TRS rear panel cables: $150
- Total initial cost: $540
Entry-level patchbay setup (48 points):
- Samson S-Patch Plus: $299
- 48 x TRS patch cables (2ft): $240 ($5 each)
- DB25 to TRS breakout cables: $200
- Total initial cost: $739
Professional patchbay setup (96 points):
- Bittree ProStudio TT patchbay: $1,484
- 96 x TT patch cables: $576 ($6 each)
- Professional installation/wiring: $500
- Total initial cost: $2,560
Additional Converter Investment Breakdown
Budget converter expansion:
- Behringer ADA8200: $170
- ADAT cables: $50
- Total cost: $230
Mid-range converter expansion:
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (8 inputs): $549
- Ferrofish Pulse16: (16 Inputs): $999
- ADAT cables: $50
- Total cost: $599
High-end converter expansion:
- Apogee Symphony I/O Mk II (8 channels): $2,399
- Professional installation: $200
- Total cost: $2,599-4,698
Critical insight: Cables can cost more than the patchbay itself. Budget an additional 50-100% of your patchbay cost for proper cabling although budget cable options are also available.
Patchbay Advantages: Workflow King
1. Eliminates Multiple A/D Conversions
With a patchbay, an identical chain of outboard gear can be plugged together entirely in the analogue domain, so that only one set of converters is required for the start and end of that chain. Hence reduced latency! This represents a crucial advantage for analog processing chains where maintaining signal integrity matters most.
Consider the difference between routing with and without a patchbay. Without a patchbay, your signal travels from source to A/D conversion, then into your DAW, back out through D/A conversion to your compressor, then back through A/D conversion to the DAW again, and finally out through D/A conversion to your EQ before another A/D conversion stage. With a patchbay, your signal flows directly from source through compressor to EQ, requiring only a single A/D conversion at the end of the processing chain.
2. Instant Routing Changes
Before I had a patchbay, I was constantly disconnecting and reconnecting cables from the inputs and outputs of my gear. But now I can leave everything connected to the patchbay and simply use a patch cable to make custom connections as needed. This dramatic workflow improvement eliminates the time-consuming process of crawling behind equipment racks and reduces the likelihood of making incorrect connections during creative sessions.
3. Equipment Protection
Frequent plugging and unplugging operations wear out expensive equipment jacks over time. A patchbay absorbs this wear while protecting your gear’s original connectors from damage. The front-panel jacks of your patchbay handle the constant connection changes, while your valuable equipment remains safely connected with permanent rear-panel connections that rarely get disturbed.
4. Visual Signal Flow
Professional patchbays often use color-coded sections and clear labeling systems, making signal routing visually intuitive and reducing setup errors. This organization becomes invaluable in larger studios where dozens of processing units and instruments require frequent routing changes throughout recording and mixing sessions.
Patchbay Disadvantages: The Limitations
1. No Additional I/O
A patchbay doesn’t increase your total input/output count and only reorganizes existing connections. If you genuinely need more simultaneous recording channels than your current interface provides, a patchbay cannot solve this fundamental limitation. Studios requiring expanded recording capacity must look to additional converters or interface upgrades rather than patchbay solutions.
2. Additional Signal Path
Every patchbay connection adds connectors to your signal path, potentially introducing noise or signal degradation. The connections in normalised patchbays always become intermittent eventually, so don’t buy the cheapest of this type, or you may find it causes trouble sooner rather than later. Quality patchbays minimize these issues, but some signal path compromise always exists compared to direct connections.
3. Complexity for Beginners
Normalling configurations, proper grounding techniques, and signal flow concepts require learning investment before patchbays become truly useful. New users often struggle with understanding when to use full-normal versus half-normal configurations, and improper setup can lead to ground loops, unwanted feedback, or signal routing errors that consume valuable studio time.
4. Physical Space
Typically, patchbays have 24 channels per unit. They handle both input and output for each channel, which makes 48 “points” or connections total per rack unit. Large studios may need multiple patchbay units to accommodate extensive gear collections, consuming valuable rack space that could otherwise house additional processing equipment or instruments.
Additional Converter Advantages: Pure Expansion
1. True I/O Expansion
Additional converters genuinely increase your total analog input/output count rather than simply reorganizing existing connections. An 8-channel converter unit can effectively double a small interface’s recording capacity, enabling simultaneous recording of complete drum kits, small ensembles, or multiple synthesizers without compromise. This expansion capability represents the primary advantage that converters hold over patchbays.
2. Dedicated Preamps
Quality converters include professional microphone preamps that often match or exceed those found in dedicated preamp units. The four Clarett mic preamps bring out the best in our recordings, and the extended dynamic range of A-D and D-A converters leaves little to be desired regarding audio fidelity. These preamps provide clean gain, low noise floors, and professional specifications that enhance recording quality across all input channels.
3. Modern Converter Quality
It’s 2024 and all of them are good nowadays when it comes to converter quality. Modern digital converters deliver exceptional audio quality across all price ranges, with even budget units providing 24-bit resolution and sample rates up to 192kHz. The improvements in converter technology over the past decade mean that affordable units now deliver performance that would have been considered high-end just a few years ago.
4. Digital Integration
ADAT and USB connections maintain digital signal integrity between converter units and your main interface, avoiding analog degradation that can occur with long cable runs or multiple analog connection points. Digital connections also eliminate ground loop issues that sometimes plague analog patchbay installations, providing cleaner signal paths in complex studio setups.
5. Future-Proof Expandability
Many modern interfaces support ADAT expansion capabilities, allowing easy scaling as your studio requirements grow. This expandability means you can start with a single additional converter and add more units as needed, creating modular systems that adapt to changing production demands without requiring complete interface replacement.
Additional Converter Disadvantages: The Trade-offs
1. Higher Initial Cost
Quality converters cost significantly more than patchbays, especially when comparing equivalent channel counts. An 8-channel converter that provides similar connectivity to a 48-point patchbay typically costs two to three times more, and high-end converters can cost ten times more than professional patchbays while providing fewer total connection points.
2. Multiple A/D Conversions
Using multiple interfaces or converters in series creates conversion steps that patchbays specifically avoid. Each additional converter in your signal chain introduces another potential point of latency and signal degradation, though modern converters minimize these issues through improved design and digital connectivity options.
3. Clocking Complexity
Multiple converter units require proper word clock synchronization to avoid timing issues and audio artifacts such as clicks, pops, or digital distortion. Setting up and maintaining proper clock relationships between multiple digital devices can become complex, particularly in larger studios with several converter units operating simultaneously.
4. Power and Rack Space
Each converter unit requires dedicated power supplies and rack space, increasing studio infrastructure needs compared to passive patchbay solutions. Power consumption and heat generation also become considerations in smaller studios where climate control and electrical capacity may be limited factors in equipment selection.
When to Choose a Patchbay
A patchbay becomes the ideal solution when you have sufficient existing I/O for your typical recording sessions but struggle with organization and workflow efficiency. This option works particularly well if you frequently use analog outboard gear in processing chains, since patchbays allow you to connect multiple processors entirely in the analog domain without requiring additional conversion steps.
Patchbay solutions excel when workflow speed takes priority over maximum channel count expansion. If you prefer analog signal paths over digital conversion and want to minimize the number of A/D and D/A conversion stages in your signal chain, patchbays provide the most direct routing approach. Budget considerations also favor patchbays, as complete installations typically range from $500 to $1500, making them accessible for most home studio setups.
Studios with primarily analog workflows benefit most from patchbay installations. If you regularly route signals through hardware instruments, processors, and effects units, a patchbay transforms tedious cable swapping into instant front-panel routing changes. The analog nature of patchbay routing preserves the character and warmth that many producers seek from hardware processing chains.
Perfect patchbay scenarios include home studios managing 8 to 16 pieces of outboard gear, mixing engineers who frequently route through analog processors, studios with multiple synthesizers requiring flexible routing options, and producers who prioritize analog warmth and workflow efficiency over maximum digital precision. Recording setups that focus on hardware-based production techniques rather than purely computer-based approaches will find patchbays indispensable for maintaining creative momentum.
When to Choose Additional Converters
Additional converters become necessary when you need more actual inputs and outputs than your current interface provides. This solution works best for recording large ensembles or drum kits requiring 12 or more simultaneous channels, situations where your existing interface simply cannot accommodate your recording requirements.
Quality-focused producers who prioritize maximum audio precision and pristine conversion will prefer additional converters over patchbays. If you plan significant studio expansion within the next few years, investing in quality converters provides a foundation that can grow with your needs. Studios that work primarily in-the-box with minimal analog routing requirements can benefit from the expanded digital I/O that converters provide.
Budget considerations for converters require more substantial investment, typically $1000 or more for meaningful expansion, but this investment delivers genuine capability increases rather than just organizational improvements. The expandability that quality converters offer makes them worthwhile for studios planning long-term growth and increasing production demands.
Perfect converter scenarios include recording engineers regularly tracking bands and drum kits, producers managing extensive hardware synthesizer collections requiring dedicated individual inputs, studios transitioning from small interfaces to professional I/O counts, and engineers who prioritize sonic transparency and maximum channel count over workflow convenience. Mobile recording applications that need to capture large numbers of simultaneous sources also benefit significantly from expanded converter capacity.
Best Product Recommendations by Category
Budget Patchbay Options ($75-300)
Behringer PX3000 Ultrapatch Pro – $75 The Behringer PX3000 represents the most affordable entry point into professional patchbay functionality, offering 48 balanced TRS connection points with three switchable operation modes. The unit features convenient top-side switches that allow instant mode changes between Normal, Half-Normal, and Through configurations without requiring disassembly or cable disconnection. This all-metal construction patchbay provides exceptional value for budget-conscious producers, though quality control can be inconsistent with some units experiencing loose connections or signal degradation issues. Users report mixed experiences with the PX3000, with many praising its functionality and convenience while others encounter reliability problems that reflect its budget pricing. For studios just beginning to implement patchbay workflow, the PX3000 offers an affordable way to test patchbay concepts before investing in higher-quality units.
Neutrik NYS-SPP-L1 – $150 The Neutrik NYS-SPP-L1 delivers professional connector quality in a modular design that offers flexibility through removable PC cards. This 48-point TRS patchbay provides half-normal and isolated operating modes, with normalling configuration changes accomplished by flipping individual cards within the unit. While the modular design allows for precise customization of each channel pair, changing configurations requires partially disassembling the unit, which can be time-consuming in active studio environments. Professional engineers appreciate the genuine Neutrik connector quality, though some users report jack reliability issues developing over extended use periods. The unit represents solid middle-ground value for studios that need professional build quality but cannot justify the cost of high-end TT patchbays.
ART P48 – $249 The ART P48 provides 48-point balanced TRS connectivity in a rugged steel chassis construction that delivers reliable performance for budget-conscious studios. This patchbay features rear-panel switches for toggling between normal and half-normal modes, though some users find the switch placement inconvenient once all rear connections are made. Most reviews of the ART P48 praise the unit’s durability and simplicity, particularly noting the solid build quality that justifies its position in the budget patchbay category. The unit eliminates the through mode found on some competitors, focusing on the two most commonly used normalling configurations for straightforward operation.
Samson S-Patch Plus – $299 The Samson S-Patch Plus provides fully balanced 48-point connectivity with front-panel mode switching that eliminates the need for internal reconfiguration. This well-regarded patchbay offers normal, half-normal, and through operating modes selectable via convenient front-panel switches, making it ideal for studios that frequently change routing configurations. The unit consistently receives positive reviews for build quality and reliable operation, positioning it as the recommended choice for serious home studio applications. Professional users appreciate the S-Patch Plus for its combination of flexibility, durability, and reasonable pricing, making it the benchmark against which other budget patchbays are measured.
Professional Patchbay Options ($1000-3000)
Flock Audio Patch – $3,099
- Digital control of analog routing
- 64-point capacity
- Software recall of routing configurations
- This hybrid patchbay is well-received by users for opening up many analog routing possibilities
Budget Converter Options ($170)
Behringer ADA8200 Ultragain – $170 The Behringer ADA8200 represents exceptional value in the budget converter category, offering eight MIDAS-designed microphone preamps with up to 60dB of gain alongside Cirrus Logic 24-bit converters. While the dynamic range specifications of 103dB for analog-to-digital conversion don’t match higher-end units, the ADA8200 delivers respectable performance that significantly exceeds its modest price point. The unit connects via ADAT optical output to expand any compatible interface by eight channels, making it particularly attractive for home studio producers who need additional inputs for drum recording or multi-tracking sessions. Users consistently praise its reliability and surprising audio quality, though the global phantom power switching and limitation to 48kHz sample rates represent minor compromises at this price level..
Professional Converter Options ($1500-5000)
RME Babyface Pro FS – $849
- 2-channel premium conversion
- High quality preamps and digital analogue convertors, the sound is as pristine and clear as I’ve heard — transparent and honest
Ferrofish Pulse16: (16 Inputs): $999
- 16 Inputs and Outputs
- Very affordable for the additional amount of inputs and outputs
Apogee Symphony I/O Mk II – $2,399-4,999
- 8-32 channel options
- Professional mastering-grade converters
- The 16X16SE uses the latest converters available currently
Technical Considerations: Making the Right Choice
Signal Path Optimization
Patchbay signal path: Source → Patchbay → Processor → Patchbay → Interface → DAW
Additional converter path:
Source → Converter 1 → Digital → Interface → DAW Multiple sources → Converter 2 → Digital → Interface → DAW
Grounding and Noise Issues
Patchbays can introduce ground loops if improperly installed. There can be advantages in connecting even an unbalanced patchbay to a balanced line input using balanced cable — it provides improved immunity to ground loops, for one thing.
Additional converters avoid many grounding issues through digital interconnection but require proper clocking setup.
Latency Considerations
The longer the chain, the greater the latency from conversion delays. Patchbays eliminate conversion-based latency in analog processing chains, while additional converters may add minimal latency through their conversion stages.
Real-World Studio Scenarios
Scenario 1: Home Producer with Growing Gear Collection
Current setup: Audio interface with 4 inputs, 6 analog synthesizers, 2 compressors, reverb unit
Patchbay solution: $100 investment provides easy routing between all gear without additional conversions
Converter solution: $200 investment adds dedicated inputs for each synth but requires multiple conversion stages
Recommendation: Patchbay wins for cost and workflow efficiency
Scenario 2: Engineer Recording Live Bands
Current setup: 8-input interface, need to record 16-piece drum kit plus full band
Patchbay solution: Cannot solve the fundamental lack of inputs
Converter solution: $1,500 investment adds 16 additional inputs via ADAT expansion
Recommendation: Additional converters are the only viable option
Scenario 3: Mixing Engineer with Extensive Outboard
Current setup: 16 pieces of analog outboard gear, frequent routing changes between mix projects
Patchbay solution: $1,200 professional patchbay enables instant routing changes and parallel processing
Converter solution: $3,000+ investment doesn’t address workflow efficiency needs
Recommendation: Patchbay dramatically improves daily workflow
Installation and Setup Considerations
Patchbay Installation Requirements
- Planning phase: Create comprehensive wiring diagram
- Cable investment: Budget 50-100% of patchbay cost for proper cabling
- Grounding strategy: Implement proper ground lifting techniques
- Documentation: Label all connections clearly for future modifications
Converter Installation Requirements
- Digital connection verification: Ensure sufficient ADAT/USB ports on main interface
- Word clock setup: Configure proper sync between multiple units
- Software configuration: Set up aggregate devices (Mac) or ASIO4ALL (PC)
- Monitoring setup: Route additional outputs to monitoring system
The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
Many professional studios implement both solutions strategically:
Patchbay for analog routing: Handle all analog outboard gear, instrument connections, and monitoring through a comprehensive patchbay system
Additional converters for capacity: Use ADAT-connected converters to expand total input count for large recording sessions
This hybrid approach costs $2,000-4,000 but provides maximum flexibility and quality.
Making Your Decision: The Final Checklist
Choose a patchbay if you answer “yes” to:
- Do you have enough existing I/O for your typical sessions?
- Do you frequently use analog outboard gear in processing chains?
- Is workflow speed more important than maximum channel count?
- Do you prefer analog signal paths over digital conversion?
- Is your budget under $1,500 for this upgrade?
Choose additional converters if you answer “yes” to:
- Do you regularly run out of available inputs during sessions?
- Do you record large ensembles or drum kits requiring 12+ channels?
- Is pristine digital conversion your top priority?
- Do you plan significant studio expansion in the next 2 years?
- Can you invest $1,500+ for substantial I/O expansion?
Future-Proofing Your Decision
Patchbay Future-Proofing
Modern patchbays remain relevant indefinitely. I’ve had zero problems with the Neutrik NYS-SSP-L1, which I’ve used for more than a decade. Quality units provide decades of service with minimal maintenance.
Patchbay longevity factors:
- Connector quality determines lifespan
- Normalling switches are primary failure points
- Professional units often outlast the gear they connect
Converter Future-Proofing
Digital technology evolves rapidly, potentially requiring upgrades every 5-10 years as new connection standards emerge.
Converter longevity factors:
- USB and Thunderbolt standards change frequently
- Driver support may discontinue for older units
- Sample rate and bit depth standards continue increasing
Conclusion: Choose Your Studio’s Growth Path
The patchbay versus additional converter decision fundamentally comes down to your current needs and future goals. Patchbays excel at organizing existing connections and optimizing analog workflows, while additional converters provide genuine I/O expansion for growing studios.
For most home studio producers: Start with a quality patchbay around $500. It will immediately improve your workflow efficiency and protect expensive gear from connection wear.
For professional recording engineers: Invest in additional high-quality converters. The expanded I/O capacity enables larger recording sessions and future studio growth.
For serious mixing engineers: Consider the hybrid approach, using patchbays for analog routing optimization and converters for expanded monitoring and processing options.
The best choice serves your music first. Whether you prioritize workflow efficiency, maximum quality, or expanded capacity, both solutions can transform your studio into a more productive creative environment.
Remember: The best patch bay is one you can control digitally, if you have enough inputs and outputs on your interface what is the point? But if you’re constantly managing connections and losing creative momentum, either solution will pay dividends in improved productivity and better music.
Your studio should serve your creativity, not hinder it. Choose the solution that eliminates technical friction and keeps you focused on making great music.