Mono out into stereo in via patchbay

[GuyaGuy]

With most fx units that have stereo ins, you can run a mono in, typically on the left channel. But if you have your patchbay hooked up for stereo and run the mono signal into that left channel, the unit will know it also has a right channel plug in it and expect right channel audio in. How do you work around this?

This Sound On Sound article suggests hardwiring the patchbay: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec99/a ... tchbay.htm

I could manage the solder job but would prefer not to hard wire. Patchbays are about flexibility, after all. Are there other methods or approaches for setting this up?

[pflosi]

If your patchbay is half-normalled, you could use the patchbay to split the source and send it to both effect inputs... An y-cable might work as well.

Alternatively, just plug out the right channel from the effect when you want to use it mono in...?

[Stab Frenzy]

Take the half normalled output from the left input and plug it into the input of the right channel.

[pflosi]

That's also splitting, right? Or am I missing something?

[Stab Frenzy]

Yeah you're totally right, I had that window open to reply for a while before I hit submit and you'd also replied in the mean time.

[nathanscribe]

Also, some effects units can be configured to route inputs and outputs according to user settings, rather than simply what's plugged in. Depends what unit you've got.

[GuyaGuy]

If your patchbay is half-normalled, you could use the patchbay to split the source and send it to both effect inputs... An y-cable might work as well.

Alternatively, just plug out the right channel from the effect when you want to use it mono in...?

Take the half normalled output from the left input and plug it into the input of the right channel.

Cool, I'll try that this evening. I can test it myself, but in general are there any disadvantages of splitting the signal like that--phasing, volume drop, whatever?

[GuyaGuy]

Also, some effects units can be configured to route inputs and outputs according to user settings, rather than simply what's plugged in. Depends what unit you've got.

True. Only one device has it that I can think of. Some of them are analog and don't have fancy programing features.

[GuyaGuy]

I wanted to make sure I understand how/why your suggestion works. So I decided to see if the manual for my Neutrik patchbay has a diagram. (Bought it used with no manual) And look what I found...



Guess it pays to RTFM! I just needed to switch the PCB around and I was in business. This is great because I can now easily incorporate my guitar rig into rack-land!

Anyhoo thanks!