Question 1

Is The PATCH Series really all Analog?

Accepted Answer

Yes! - The PATCH Series a fully analog signal flow over digital control only. This means that your analog audio signal remains Analog from the Input stage to the Output stage without any AD/DA Conversion and no latency. Your analog audio signal is not altered, coloured or degraded in anyway and remains as transparent and clean as from its original source.

Question 2

How Do I Setup my PATCH Series System?

Accepted Answer

We have many resources available on our Resources Page - www.flockaudio.com/resources including Setup Diagrams, Multi-Unit Recommendations etc.

We also have a very informative first time setup video available here:

If you require further assistance or any questions please visit: www.flockaudio.com/support

Question 3

Can you combine/connect multiple PATCH Series systems together for expanded I/O?

Accepted Answer

Yes! - Using our intuitive Software feature called “Multi-Unit Setup” allows you to configure and connect multiple PATCH Series systems in any combination and I/O connections to suit your prefer multi-unit setup and expand your I/O for even more PATCH Series channels/patch points.

You can review some Multi-Unit Setup Diagrams by visiting our Resources Page:

Question 4

Is PATCH APP Classic free do I have pay for the controlling Software?

Accepted Answer

Yes - PATCH APP Classic is and will always remain free and available to all Flock Audio customers to control their PATCH Series hardware.

You can Download it for Free Here:

Question 5

Why isn't PATCH APP DX free?

Accepted Answer

PATCH APP DX is an Optional Premium Upgrade Software compatible with all PATCH Series Models.

Pricing options for PATCH APP DX are Available on the PATCH APP DX Webpage - www.flockaudio.com/patchappdx

Subscription Options & a Perpetual License are Available. 
 
PATCH APP Classic is and will continue to remain Free and Updated with new features and performance upgrades on an ongoing basis!

PATCH APP DX was built completely from scratch on a different infrastructure over multiple years as a Premium Upgrade option. PATCH APP DX is not required in order to use all of the features of your PATCH Series hardware. PATCH APP DX offers a additional upgraded features to your in-app customization, organization and workflow efficiency.

Learn More about PATCH APP DX:

Question 6

How do I Install and use PATCH APP DX?

Accepted Answer

Please Refer to our "How To Install DX" Video:

Question 7

Can I keep my PATCH Series unit next to tube gear?

Accepted Answer

We always recommend that our units distanced from tube gear or any high emitting heat source, and that users keep an 1/2 - 1U empty rack space above and below their PATCH Series unit to ensure maximum airflow.

However, if space is limited, putting your PATCH unit next to tube gear will not void its warranty. If you need to keep your unit near hot gear, we suggest setting your fan to run constantly to ensure the longevity of the internal components of your PATCH Series unit. You can do this by visiting the User Preferences menu in your PATCH APP's Settings. I.E. Settings > User Preferences > Hardware Fan Control: Low Speed or Medium Speed.

Question 8

Does my PATCH Series unit have any specific grounding requirements?

Accepted Answer

There is no need for any special process with respect to grounding any of the PATCH Series Models. All PATCH Series models operate in a similar input and output grounding configuration.

The active HOT and COLD are balanced (fully differential) at the PATCH DB25 input and output connectors. The shield pins for each of the active input or output signal pairs are connected to the PATCH Model's chassis at the panel-mounted connectors.

The analog grounds for the internal circuitry are also tied in a star fashion back to the same locations inside the unit for added grounding protection.
The star point connections of all of those grounds are returned to the AC mains supply through the power supply cable and the ground conductor and pin on the power plug.

There are no provisions to disconnect (float) or attach signal cable grounds to other ground points, if that is required it must be done external to the Patch units but is not necessary. There have been no reported installations with grounding issues since the debut of the PATCH System 5+ years ago.

Question 9

Why do I need to connect my audio interface to my PATCH Series unit?

Accepted Answer

Since the PATCH Series is an all-analog routing solution, there is no point at which your audio signal ever gets converted to a digital signal. This means that you need to connect an external interface in order for your computer to send and receive audio signals.

Question 10

Why should I choose PATCH over a digital conversion patchbay?

Accepted Answer

Since digital patchbays have a digital routing matrix, every piece of gear the user includes in their routing adds an additional AD/DA conversion to their signal path. With this conversion process comes a small amount of latency, which is a small amount of signal delay caused by digital processing and degradation throughout the AD/DA Conversions.

Since the PATCH Series has a fully analog signal path, you can use any number of analog processing units in a given routing and have no added latency or degradation. This also means that when using a PATCH Series unit, your signal stays completely clean with no digital loss!

Question 11

Can I use a microphone with the front inputs of my PATCH Series unit?

Accepted Answer

Since the front inputs are part of the same system as the rear inputs, they are also designed as part of a +4dBu line-level system. This means that in order to achieve optimal signal strength and clarity, the input signal from a microphone must be properly boosted from microphone level (-60/-40dBu) to line level (+4dBu). This can be done either with a preamplifier or with a transparent dB booster, or our CX Module as shown in the diagram below!

Our CX Module Diagram:

Question 12

How do I set up my Recording Interface with my PATCH Series unit?

Accepted Answer

To set up your interface with your PATCH Series unit, follow these steps!

1. Connect all (or not all, depending on your needs and your setup) of your interface's inputs to your PATCH's outputs and vice versa.

2. In your PATCH App, open your Hardware Setup menu.

3. On the channels you connected your interface to, list the inputs and outputs separately by unlocking the channels your interface is connected to, as shown in this image:

Once your interface is set up in the Hardware Setup menu, you can use it by dragging the output of your interface to the top of your routing path, and the input of your interface to the bottom of your routing!

Or Refer To our How to Setup PATCH Video:

Question 13

Can I connect a different number of channels than the sets of 4 and 8 listed in the Multiple Unit Setup window?

Accepted Answer

Yes - you can connect any number of channels together by using the "Custom User I/O" function in the Multiple Unit Setup menu! When you have this option selected, you'll need to manually set up your Send & Receive channels in your Hardware Setup window according to your setup. If you'd like help setting up your custom user I/O setup, feel free to contact our support team!

Question 14

How do I split stereo paired units in the PATCH APP or PATCH APP DX?

Accepted Answer

To drag and drop one channel of a stereo paired unit independently of its paired counterpart, simply hold Shift on your keyboard before dragging it into your routing grid! This will split the stereo block into two mono blocks and will allow you to drag them into your routing as if they weren't paired.

Question 15

Why should I buy a PATCH XT instead of three PATCH units?

Accepted Answer

Since three PATCH units have the same amount of I/O as one PATCH XT, wouldn't it be exactly the same?

Not exactly... Since the PATCH Series is all analog in terms of audio signal routing, no audio passes through the USB cable to your computer. This means that in order to send audio signals to your other PATCH units, you need to physically connect them with analog cables, which uses up I/O space. With the most standard multi-unit setup configuration, connecting three units together takes up 64 out of 192 I/O points, leaving you with two-thirds the I/O space that you would have with a PATCH XT.

Connecting three units also adds a layer of complexity to the routing process because of the need for send/return passes in the routing grid. This is explained in further detail below!

Question 16

Can I use different PATCH Series models in the same setup?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Using the drop-down menus next to the model icons in the Multiple Unit Setup menu, you can select the PATCH Series models you'll be connecting to your computer. They can be any combination of units, and they will all work in tandem within your PATCH App!

Question 17

Can I use my PATCH Series unit to combine/sum signals together?

Accepted Answer

Due to the way our units are designed, they cannot combine two or multiple signals together. This process is referred to as "Summing" Signals together.

The PATCH Series units can spread signals apart through the process of "Multing", but it can't bring them back together again by Summing.

Many of our customers use a summing mixer in tandem with our units specifically for this purpose!

Question 18

Can I use my PATCH Series unit as a speaker router?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can! So long as the signal going through your PATCH Series unit is at line level instead of speaker level, you can absolutely route signals to your speakers with your PATCH Series unit. If you need help setting up a routing for your speakers, feel free to contact our support team!

Question 19

Can I use my PATCH Series unit's inputs as outputs or vice versa?

Accepted Answer

Due to the way our routing system is designed, our PATCH Series units' inputs can only be used as inputs, and their outputs can only be used as outputs.

Question 20

Can I use PATCH with my existing patchbay setup?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can! We designed the PATCH Series to be easily integratabtle with existing traditional patchbay setups. How you configure the systems together will be up to you depending on your studio's routing requirements, but we have many resources to help you get started! Below is a diagram detailing a system with eight channels connected between a PATCH unit and a traditional patchbay - you can find a more detailed analysis of this setup at www.flockaudio.com/resources !

Question 21

Do PATCH Series units operate on 220V for European users?

Accepted Answer

Yes they do! Our power supplies are dual rated for both North American and European voltage standards (110V - 220V). The IEC cable supplied in each box will be determined based on your shipping location. There is no Fuse Switch or anything required to have the PATCH Series work in Europe.

Question 22

Is PATCH XT "DANTE" compatible?

Accepted Answer

PATCH XT, like all PATCH Series units, has a fully analog signal path. Since DANTE is a digital audio protocol with AD/DA Conversion in every routing sequence, it is not compatible or possible with our units without eliminating the analog only signal routing of our units!

The purpose of PATCH XT's Ethernet port is to connect it to the Host Computer at a greater distance upwards to 150 ft.

We included this because traditional USB signals begin to degrade after about 10' - 15' feet of cable. If you require a further distance for your USB Connection, you can use an "Active USB Extender" which will allow you to use USB Control for upwards to 100+ ft.

Question 23

Can I send 48V phantom power through PATCH from an external source?

Accepted Answer

Due to the design of our units, external 48V phantom power cannot be transferred through PATCH Series units. This is why we have included a 48V Master feature, which feeds phantom power through user-selectable input channels. You can activate the 48V Master in the bottom left corner of your Hardware Setup menu, and you can set the channels you want phantom power to be fed to with the Deny/Allow feature on the left-hand side of the Hardware Setup menu!

When you drag a 48V-enabled unit to the top of a path in your routing menu, a +48V icon will appear below it indicating that you can enable phantom power on that unit. If you click on that icon, it will provide you with a warning message checking that you mean to enable phantom power. If you accept, the icon will turn blue and phantom power will be activated!

Question 24

What is the Pricing Currency on the Flock?

Accepted Answer

All Pricing in our Web Store is in USD Currency.

www.flockaudio.com/buy

FAQ