MINIBAY: 40-point audio patchbay for your desktop
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DF Audio MINIBAY · Source: DF Audio
DF Audio MINIBAY · Source: DF Audio
DF Audio MINIBAY · Source: DF Audio
The DF Audio MINIBAY has 40 patch points for routing the output of synths, groove boxes and Eurorack to and from effects and each other.
DF Audio Minibay
It’s a neat and compact box that could be the routing hub of your desktop setup. Rather than being in a 19″ rack like most patch bays, this sits on your tabletop giving you better access and more versatility in the controlled chaos of a desktop setup.
Your main inputs and outputs are on the back on 1/4″ jack stereo TRS sockets. The general idea is that you plug your synths into Row A, take Row B out to your mixer and use the eight FX sockets for…. effects. Each on can support 2 mono inputs or outputs giving you a total of 12 channels each on Row A & B and 8 channels of FX. You’d patch in using standard insert cables that take a stereo jack (TRS) to two mono jacks (TS). All of these channels are then revealed individually on the front panel.
DF Audio MINIBAY · Source: DF Audio
The front panel patching is done with regular Eurorack minijack patching cables. But first you can set up normalling between Rows A and B with some internal dip switches so you don’t even have to patch them. That way you could set up inputs A1-4 to go directly to outputs B1-4 more or less permanently. As soon as you plug in a patch cable the connection is broken and you can repatch it anywhere you like.
DF Audio MINIBAY · Source: DF Audio
With the FX routing, the stereo jack gives you an input and output on the same channel so you are essentially setting up a loop through your effects box. You can then patch your synths to the effects on the front panel and back to your outputs, or the next effect and so on.
The Minibay also has a pair of passive mixers that can combine up to 3 signals each into a single patchable output.
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Minibay is a super useful device made by Dudley Farrow (DF Audio) in Australia. It can save you the hassle of plugging and unplugging cables behind your synths and effects. Wire it all in and you can change which effects you’re using with the ease of moving a front panel cable. Really nice idea that reminds me why patch bays are so useful and that I probably need to get me one of these.
Dudley is doing a run of 50 pieces set to be ready by March for about $150 plus shipping, but I think he’s going to have to make a few more.
- DF Audio website.
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