Flock Audio Patch - In depth review
Вставка
- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- Giving a "real-world" review of the Flock Audio Patch.
This video is quite long - below are some time stamps so you can skip ahead if you'd like.
Also, I apologize for the static on the audio. The handheld recorder I used doesnt seem to be up to the task anymore.
Purchasing the PATCH - 1:10
Box and contents - 2:05
Installation - 5:00
Downloading the PATCH App - 7:45
Setting up PATCH App - 12:20
PATCH App features - 10:50
Sound Quality - 17:10
Quirks and Gripes - 18:27
Closing thoughts - 29:00
Thank you for the nice review. I am close to get me the Patch LT. They have told me that they will bring MIDI in the next year to their devices. Apart from that it is ridiculous that such a n expensive device has no display. I just hope that the fan is not to loud. (I had an Axe FX3 and the fan was too loud. Now I have a Quad Cortex.)
Thanks Jacob for the honest review. I'm sitting on the fence atm with this potential purchase, so this gives me alot more to think about.
If you’re in the studio a lot, it’s definitely worth it IMO.
thanks for the honest, non gimmicky review!
This is really nice. Please, do you think the flock patch can handle a setup of about 40 hardwares? I need each patch is 32/32 i/o but I was thinking of getting about three Flock patches.
Song Town they can definitely be linked together. But what you should do is email Darren over at Flock Audio. Tell him what you’re trying to do - I’ve seen rumors of a new upcoming release from them. It’s possible there will be an announcement at winter NAMM.
@@jacobhare_true Thanks a lot
What type of DB25 cables did you get and how much did they cost? Thx
So the DB25s are standard “tascam” types. I’m not using anything extraordinary- some ProCo and D’Addario brands. I bought ProCo used. $50ish and D’Addarios are fairly affordable. I don’t recall their price.
Hey man, thx for your review. Well Done and now I am very interessted. :) But, what i do not understand fully is - right now i am using an Interface with 8 Adat Preamp Extensions - do i connect the Instrument- and the Mic Inputs directly into the Flock Inputs? And is it right, that i set up the Adat and the Interface Inputs also into the Flock Inputs? cheers from Winterthur Switzerland and Merry X-Mas
It’s been a few years since I’ve used ADAT. I had an older Apollo 8 with 8 ADAT presonus preamps. If I were to set it up today I would put the ADAT Pres on their own inputs. So that way I could route my instruments to them.
So for example - I have 8 XLR inputs that are directly to the PATCH. Then I have 8 preamp inputs. So I can now route those XLR inputs to my preamps.
Does that make sense? It’s hard to describe without just sitting down and showing you in person. I hope that’s helpful!
Thanks for the well wishes! Merry Christmas to you too!
@@jacobhare_true thx for your reply Jacob, but now i am a bit more confused. Just figured out how to use a normal patchbay, now Flock comes along :D You are right, by the way, i would love to figure this out with someone like you. Maybe one day. Did you integrade the Flock with your old setup or would you suggest waiting and changing compeltely to the bigger flock? best regards
@@felixdorn21 I think it really depends on the size of your studio. I consider mine a project studio. So 16 inputs are more than enough for me. If I ever needed more channels, I would bring in a second interface with maybe a console or api rack and just commit - skip all the fancy pres in that session.
@@felixdorn21 also remember you can integrate an analog patch bay with the Flock Patch.
Jacob-- Nice video sir...I've had my patch now for 3 weeks and still haven't been able to get it set up to function fully. Of course I've been in touch w/Flock support but the way they had me set it up didn't work for me as I was unable to monitor while tracking. I use a Lynx Aurora and I noticed you also have one. Would it be possible to pick your brain on your setup? (offline-- not in the comments section)
Sure. But I actually run a Cranesong Avocet for monitoring which comes directly out of my Aurora. I don’t route my monitors through the PATCH. It’s a waste of channels IMO.
Great review, pretty thorough!
EasyStreet Productions thanks! Probably a bit too long winded but I wanted to give my real world experience with the unit.
Man, such a good review. Thanks so much for this.
Pheurton Skeurto cheers!
Does the Patch have any issues plugging a mic directly in? I don't understand auditioning preamps with a normal LDC mic works into the system.
Would u87 > Patch > Avalon 737 work? At which point of the signal would you enable Phantom power for it to work? The patch or the preamp? Really confused about this.
Farvez Afridi Faizur Rahman you can definitely plug mics directly in. Phantom power is enabled from the PATCH unit. So you get true 48+. No more degraded power. It’s pretty sweet because it seems some mics have more headroom.
Phantom power can be enabled on any input. There’s a warning pop up whenever you turn it on so you don’t fry units by mistake.
The PATCH is so flexible you can run it the way you described. That’s actually how I run all my signals. 16 mic inputs are going into the patch, then I route them to preamp in/out, any external effects in/out, then to my Lynx converter inputs. Which is taking them to the DAW.
@@jacobhare_true That's absolutely incredible! Thank you for the reply :D
Farvez Afridi Faizur Rahman cheers!
@@jacobhare_true Are you sure about it? The patch manual says all the inputs are line level and connecting mics can result in a noisy singal. They recommend some dB boost like cloudlifter for this.
@@martint444 they are definitely line level. I can only speak to my experience though. Clearly I’m not the only person the Patch is working well for.
I would love to have it, but I can't justify the ridiculous price for it... They aren't being honest about this unit converting signals to digital because you can't digitally change signal routing paths without coverting the signal to digital... They are shovelling BS about signals remaining analog, but still very useful even if it converts it...
It’s really not for everyone. You have to remember that the purpose is having the convenience to ready sessions or recall hardware on mixes quickly. It saves time which has added up over the years. As far as the nay sayers- the signal does remain analog. But even if it didn’t, there’s no audible change or added color. In my experience, traditional patchbays are what add unwanted color. If session engineering is your bread and butter - the Patch is a must!
Hi great review. I have a presonus 32 sc going to my Mac. I could connect it to my Mac via AES it's currently connected via USB with a 64x64 usb, but in order for me to get more I/O that I can send in and out of my daw I'm considering this or a presonus 32R but to be honest I'm not so big on plugins, I'd rather send shit to hardware for the sound. Could I got 32sc > Mac via USB > daw> patch or even if I went to Mac via AES, could I route that from my Mac out to the patch?
I might misunderstand exactly what you’re asking for, but it sounds like you’re wanting more I/O to your daw.
The Patch doesn’t work as an interface. It’s strictly to route external signal chains. It’s not a DAC.
@@jacobhare_true Hi Jacob, can you please give a brief update on how you are getting on with the Patch? Looking to buy. Thanks!
Thanks for the review. Does the app allow for any gain/trim control?
No. That would introduce color due to needing a gain circuit and would kind of defeat the purpose behind being a patch bay.
Hi Jacob, thanks fro the review. I got mine today. The fan noise is really bugging me, even when I set it to "costant low". I wonder if this is normal or somethings wrong with the fan? I'm currently running it in "emergeny only" fan mode (which basically just turns the fan off), but that might not be the healthies setting for the unit. Would be great if you'd get back to me. Thanks
Michael Schwendler these units are actually made to withstand some pretty high heat. If you run it in emergency only mode, just make sure you’ve got some clearance around the unit for good air flow. Most folks I know who are using them run them in emergency only.
I probably don’t notice the fan noise as much because of my PC fans and even my MacBook Pro. My studio isn’t sound proof by any means.
You could also move it to a lower rack position or even further away (as long as your other cables can be run the extra distance). Mine sits toward the lower 3rd of my rack.
@@jacobhare_true Hi Jacob, thanks for getting back to me so quickly! Flock Support got back to me and they also told me that running it in "emergency only" fan mode is totally fine. Still wonder why they build in such an annoying fan, but well, there are also other units with annoying fans out there...
I think it’s just due to size. Trying to remain compact and in that 1 rack space size. Fans only get quieter with larger blades. The unit would have to be at least 4 spaces to accommodate a legitimate fan that’s even remotely quiet. And even then you wouldn’t be able to run it very fast.
@@jacobhare_true I agree but there are quiet small fans and not so quiet small fans. This one has a really annoying tone to it (maybe they could reduce the fan speed in an upcoming app release?) Maybe they also could have build a lattice into the housing instead of just drilling holes into it to prevent better airflow. I just doesn't match to build in such a crappy ventilation system into such a great product.
Michael Schwendler make sure you send that to them as feedback on the website. Darren really listens to what we ask for. In the new software update you’ll see a ton of improvements. I got to see a sneak peek at summer NAMM. Pretty much everything people have asked for and then some is in the update!
Ultimately putting up with that fan is such a small inconvenience for what this unit does. It’s a small compromise.
How are you getting along with the unit aside from the fan?
Great video! I'm having trouble finding my question in the internet but it involves the patchbays latency. I assume there isn't any latency since this patchbay is pretty much digital and focuses on chaining analog equipment without any hassle. Have you had trouble with the Flock Audio's signal latency or is it not noticeable? Thanks!
I have not experienced any latency with my previous studio setup. I am still moving into a new space and haven't assembled my gear (waiting on a new desk). There is always the possibility of new problems, but I also have never heard anyone complain about latency with the PATCH.
@@jacobhare_true Thank you for the reply! And best of luck to your new new movement!
In my experience no noticeable latency on PT12 with Focusrite Red 8Pre. Yea it’s controlled digitally through the USB connection, it’s 100% analog as far as signal flow and routing. Is it pricey, yes, does it have 96 points like Switchcraft or Bittree with like a dozen DB-25’s Connectors, no, but the point is not just to look clean but be more efficient. With the User Interface on the Patch App and workflow, it streamlines so many tedious tasks with normal Patchbays. Plus, it’s ability to correct or warn you if it senses something like compressor with 48V Phantom Power accidentally switched on is extremely beneficial not to mention other aspects like A/Bing gear through front anytime. There’s a plethora of Pros and hardly any cons to this device. This will be the future of patching. Your standard Patchbays will always be around, but this hybrid setup will be what every company will be trying to emulate. Only people who probably wouldn’t benefit are people who don’t use much outboard gear or are more MIDI driven in their setup, but otherwise it’s perfect for any legit analog heavy home or pro studio setup
Awesome info thanks for sharing
Awesome review!! Did you hook up your flock to your wall box by any chance? If so how did you set that up. I’m trying to wrap my head on hooking up my wall box to the flock. That way I could use input 1 of my wall box with any preamp I want. Thank you for your time.
You’ll have to forgive me- Im not sure what you mean by “wall box”. Are you talking about my XLR input rack?
Jacob Hare Jacob Hare a snake. But yes essentially a XLR input rack. I run that snake from the control room to the live room. So I’m wondering how you would connect that to the flock.
@@Zeus.Martinezz oh absolutely! Just wanted to make sure I understood. I have dedicated XLR inputs on my routing which I could - like you said - put to any preamp or piece of outboard gear. It’s what makes the Patch so convenient!
Jacob Hare that’s awesome so you connected your snake outputs to flocks inputs? How does flock route the signal to your preamps?
@@Zeus.Martinezz in the software you simply select whatever input you’ve designated as an XLR Input- then route to whatever input of preamp you choose. It’s so versatile. You can setup however you prefer.
I can't seem to get my mic to pick up audio.
Nicholas Flores through the patch?
@@jacobhare_true yeah I figured it out now just wasn't grasping the concept of my pre amp being ran through i thought I had to plug all in individually
Nicholas Flores I was going to say- it’s either a routing problem or you might be forgetting phantom power depending on the mic. Glad you were able to figure it out!
@@jacobhare_true how do you feel about now this long after using it ? Worth it ?
@@jacobhare_true also thanks for the response I appreciate that so much !