Several inSync readers have asked recently about normaling, and related topics. In our opinion this qualifies as both a WFTD and a TTOTD. First, a definition:
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If a patchbay has been well designed, it should be possible for a studio to perform its usual operations without needing to use any patch cables on the front of the bays – everything is connected via normals. When laying out a bay, take a look at which connections are regularly necessary, and normal them together. Less frequent connections, or routing options may not need to be normalled.
There are two variations on normalling, having to do with what happens when a patch cable is inserted in the front of the bay:
- Fully Normalled
- in this case, a cable inserted into either the front top or bottom jack breaks the internal connection; the bay functions as if it is non-normalled.
- Half Normalled
- plugging a patch cable into the TOP front jack does not break the normal, effectively creating a "Y" or splitter. Plugging into the BOTTOM front jack breaks the normal top-to-bottom connection.