Looking for a rack layout diagram.

I want to clean up the rat's nest behind my rack. Does anyone out there know of a site that looks at this? I can figure it out on my own but I am sure there are things I wouldn't think of. Thanks. Michael

Don't go cheap on patchbay's. I Suggest you built it so you have 1/3 of unused space. It WILL come in handy...... Also its a good idea to get those patcbay's that will make a connection without a cable attached, so you can make a standard-setup without any cables, and use the cables to change it to your needs.....

Bastiaan is refering to Normal'd connections. Most bays you'll find with this option. Very handy. Using an external mixer as an example... With bay modules set to Normal: Top row Connected to Digi In 3-8. Bottom row Mixer Direct Out's 3-8. The connection is automaticaly completed with no patch cables. To break the connection and send an alternative Input to a Digi In, simply insert a patch into Digi Inut of choice on the bay. Hope that's clear... <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Bastiaan: Also its a good idea to get those patcbay's that will make a connection without a cable attached, so you can make a standard-setup without any cables, and use the cables to change it to your needs.....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but it's highly unlikely you'll find a generic rack layout that relates to your specific equipment. If it helps, every studio I've setup has started with a long session with paper and pencil. Especially the patchbay layout. <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Loudspeakerboy: I want to clean up the rat's nest behind my rack. Does anyone out there know of a site that looks at this? I can figure it out on my own but I am sure there are things I wouldn't think of. Thanks. Michael<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

A good rule of thumb when cabling a rack is: keep all of your audio lines (especially if unbalanced) on one side of the case, while wire all of you power lines down the other side, trying to avoid crossings or parallel runs; if you have to cross cables do it at right angles, this will minimize (but not eliminate) RFI amd EMI interference form magnetic fields in power lines; run all of you MIDI and digital audio in the center section, trying again to separate them form power (for the same reason); try to use good quality cable and connectors (avoid plastic ones), keep wires in their path with wire ties and wire tie mounts; for each cable you do calculate an additional 20-30 cm in lenght to allow a "service loop" for each time you'll have to take the rack module out of its place, label all the cables at both ends, so if one gets disconnected it will be easy to plug it back in; make sure you have a good grounding of all rack modules (either with AC ground or chassis ground), to avoid buzzes and ground loops. I just finished wiring and additional panel to my control room, my hands still smell from solder . Good luck. L.G.

JMS40- Just to be clear, standard patchbay convention has OUTPUTS on the TOP ROW, and INPUTS on the BOTTOM ROW... The signal flows downhill... SC

You are correct, sir. I've always been a bit backwards... <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by GT40sc: JMS40- Just to be clear, standard patchbay convention has OUTPUTS on the TOP ROW, and INPUTS on the BOTTOM ROW... The signal flows downhill... SC<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>