Matrix View
For the last month we have been working on “XPatch-32” (or cross patch) a 32x32 electronic patch.
The XPatch-32 is design is based on the A-Mon and shares the I/O and CPU cards making it a relatively quick product to design.
Specification
32x32 CROSS POINT
2 INPUT / 2 OUTPUT FRONT PANEL XLR CONNECTIONS
FRONT PANEL HEADPHONE MONITORING
CREATE, STORE & RECALL ROUTINGS
ANY INPUT CAN CONNECT TO MULTIPLE OUTPUTS
CONTROL OF MULTIPLE UNITS VIA SOFTWARE (REQUIRES NETWORK OPTION)
OSX & WINDOWS COMPATIBLE SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE & FIRMWARE UPDATES
8 CHANNELS OF METERING
INPUT & OUTPUT TRIM
I/O ON DB-25 CONNECTORS - TASCAM FORMAT
UNUSED I/O ARE MUTED TO MINIMISE CROSSTALK
OSC REMOTE FROM TABLET OR PHONE (ANDROID OR IOS)
+ ?
Crosstalk
The major problem with an electronic patch is cross-talk especially between signals at different levels, I would never mix line and mic level signals withing the same patch bay and have therefor not even thought about implementing phantom power on the XPatch-32.
Level Control
The X-Patch 32 inherits both input and output gain control from the A-Mon, this allows levels within the patch to be optimized. Unused inputs and outputs can be muted further reducing cross-talk.
Metering
The X-Patch also inherits 8 channels of metering from the A-Mon, these are connected to outputs 25 - 32 and can be viewed in the Mac/Windows GUI.
Front panel
The front panel provides the following functions
Stereo Inputs 31 and 32 on XLR’s
Stereo Outputs 31 and 32 on XLR’s
Headphone Monitoring Outputs 29 & 30 on 1/4” Jack
Headphone source and gain
Mac/Windows GUI
The GUI includes in/out matrix, paths, Equipment List, Metering, Snapshot screens. The GUI communicates with the XPatch-32 via USB or Network(Option).
Signal Path Screen
Equipment Definition Screen
32x32 is it possible to increase the i/o capability?
The XPatch-32 is a 32x32 matrix, is it possible to make 64x64 or even 128x128 version? The number of switches required to the size is a square law,as follows
16x16: 256 Switches, 1 16x16 cross points
32x32: 1024 Switches, 4 off 16x16 cross points
64x64: 4096 Switches, 16 off 16x16 cross points
128x128: 16,384 Switches, 64 off 16x16 cross points
256x256: 65536 Switches, 256 off 16x16 cross points
A 64x64 matrix or larger may be possible in the future but will require considerable investment as it will not be possible to use the A-Mon I/O cards.
An alternative approach would be to look at how patch fields work - a combination of normalised connections and patch cords. A 128 x 32 or 128x64 or even 256x64 system can be made from from 8 in 8 out modules with normalised connection connected to a 32 channel bus. Each 8 channels would require 2 off 16x16 cross points and a 8 way switch to normal in to out. a total of 32 16x16 cross points. a 256x32 system would require 64 16x16 cross points, a 256x64 system would require 128 16x16 cross points. The main problem with this approach is that although the normalisation involves one switch all other connections pass through two switches.
If there is sufficient interest in a larger system we can design one - let us know!
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Recent Articles
Finally - We are happy with the silk screen, we are sending out the first modules to be tested by users next week. We can now get the Gain module silk screened! Happy Days.