Flock Audio Patch, ABSOLUTE GAME CHANGER. How I use it in my studio and what are the benefits of it?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Heartbeat Productions:
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fady@heartbeatproductions.org
Flock Audio Patch 64-point Digitally Controlled Analog Patchbay
www.sweetwater...
Music:
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Just in case any of your viewer might want to know about a non-computer-dependent automated patch-bay option, I began using an Erica Synth’s Desktop Matrix Mixer a little while ago to handle my patch-bay needs. It’s a MIDI controlled 16 in 16 out mini pin analog matrix mixer that also has two 1/4” outputs that you can use to patch into a console or DAW interface. I set up mine to run in and out of various effect units where you can then send your mic preamps, guitar interface monitor or whatever other line input you can imagine into it and then create scenes in the Matrix Mixer by scrolling through and turning on the connections to where you wish to send your signals, and where you want to bring them back in and then chain to other connected device (or not) and then finally back out of the Matrix Mixer into your console or DAW interface. And then, since the matrix mixer has MIDi you can access the scenes using a foot switch or midi automation lane in your DAW. And since the Matrix Mixer doesn’t rely on a computer you can easily use it for live performance without needing to drag a computer with you to operate.
Awesome bit of kit!!!
Perfect one with a complete step by step details u had shown.. thx u !!!
Thank you
Thank you. You SAVED ME!!!!
There's no way in hell that i'm buying Flock, if I have to Plug/un-plug mic-pres, etc! If they have THAT as a problem, then not only did they only "partly" create a solution...
...BUT, chances are that MANY feel the same way, and i'm not getting stuck with a lack-luster version when they actually complete their "Due Diligence" and resolve their ground-noise/signal issues.
It's like buying an audio monitor with a hole in it, and then planning to swing by the hardware store to place some masking tape over it. NOPE!
I appreciate that save BIG TIME! I was SO CLOSE to getting it too. Thank you.
I am not sure if you got my point from the video. I don't plug and unplug mic-Pre. the Mic input on all my Pres are all fed from my analog Snake. and the line out/line in on all those Pres are patched into the Flock audio and I don't change them. And with doing this I have zero noise issue. the reason why because the patch is on Line level and not Mic level, so it works best when you send to it line level in and out. I hope that makes sense.,
@@fadygergis Ahhh... I get the "line-level" part. But i'm new to analog (in that I am JUST beginning research on equipment, tests, and use-cases). However, I am still learning.
My audio interface does not have snakes coming out. May I ask what your snake is connected to on the other end? I'll look it up so that I can see the connector & cables to gain clearer context.
@@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios the Mic is plugged to the snake. the snake is plugged to the back of all my Mic-Pre on the Mic input. the the line output of my analog Mic -Pre goes to the patchbay.
I hope that helps you with your setup.
@@fadygergis Thanks SO very much, man. I'll screenshot this and ask my Sweetwater Sales rep about appropriate snakes for me. 🙂
Great vid, did you ever make the video breaking down your setup in your DAW? I just purchased a flock patch have not found any resources going in to detail about what to do within your various DAW. Waiting on a reply from support. I need to be able to have analog gear on my master bus, but also while while write & record.
I have not done a video about that yet, but I do offer consultation via zoom to help set it up all for you. You can email me at fady@heartbeatproductions.org
Hi! Nice video👍 ive got the LT version of the flock, and im just wondering, how do u get the leves right when mixing with multiple eq and compressors,before hitting the daw with and L and R channel input on my Antelope Orion? I could off course bypass each module and balance the levels, is that a good way?
really great device, but IMO, for its price its just not worth it. Id rather stick with regular analog patch bay which i can grab for a bargain price and when i run out of I/Os, I'll grab another one. Nothing really complicated about it. there are inputs and outputs, which you connect to each other.
Yep but if you compare to high quality patchbays they cost a lot
that's plus the cost and the maintenance for all the patch cables@@MadSteex
Hello i know this an older video but i am setting up a small home studio and have a flock patch as well as a bit if outboard gear, a few apollos and xlr snake. I am using pro tools, i have a question about how you are tracking directly from the mic out of your preamp and going line in to pro tools. How do you have it set up in console and pro tools? I can only get signal by putting a hardware insert on one track and recording to another i see you just go mic in to line in i cant get signal that way. This may be super basic but i thought i would ask. I have console set up similar to how you did it. This is driving me crazy haha. Thanks love your channel. Jake
Yo can you send me an email and schedule a consult if you need help with your setup.
Fady@heartbeatproductions.org
Hey bro, thanks for the video but I can't have the hardware now, is there any other audio patch software which doesn't need to buy it's hardware for utilisation, please
I don’t believe so! The whole point is in the hardware. Without it you can do nothing.
nice vid..thank you!! what monitor is this on your table?
It’s just LG 32” 4K monitor
@@fadygergis the one is lieing on the table?
Yes. I just took the stand off!
Greetings from a fellow enthusiast! Got a quick question, really appreciate if you could answer it. In a situation where I've got say 16 microphones all connected to an XLR patchbay, in order to route the signal, how would I go about it?
Just so that I get this right; you do not recommend connecting unbalanced line level equipment to the Flock (i.e. a synth?), but you are not experiencing any signal degradation as long as you run balanced line level signals only?
Yes correct
so if this is a stupid question but does that still mean comp- flock- interface right, so every hardware will still need to go in the input of your interface
Yes correct!
So can also use adat I/O ?
Yes absolutely
I am doing that in my studio.
@@fadygergis cool. Cause I want to implement my cranborne 500 Adat and that way I don’t need to use the analog I/O of that unit right? Would be fantastic
@@fadygergis but wait, the Adat is not physically connected to the flock patch. But it works? Maybe I’m misunderstand something here..
You have to use something that convert D/A like the ferrofish pulse for example and you get the extra I/O
How do I go through my preamp into LA2a and an 1176 well the last two units are connected directly to my patchbay.
Email me at fady@heartbeatproductions.org and I will help you out.
Quick question, if I have a line level signal ie guitar or mic and introduce a Lexicon reverb rackmount into the Flock signal chain will the Flock transfer the digital signal back to the DAW. I also have Aural Exciter I’d like to introduce. Is this possible or is it strictly an analog signal. Thanks
The flock audio doesn’t have any conversion it only passes analog audio and routing.
You would have to send that audio to your interface for conversion into your daw.
I may not have stated this correctly. Can you place something like a Lexicon or Aphex Aural exciter (both digital hardware devices) into the DB25 signal chain? Another possibility is to reamp the signal? Or is it capable of only using analog hardware. Thanks
What kind of patchbay can’t take microphone signals without screwing them up…
It’s because if the digital recall feature the I/O on this patch is calibrated at line level and not Mic level. So that’s why I don’t recommend plugging a mic directing to it. It’s best to plug the mic to the Mic pre then the Mic Pre to the patch bay.
@@fadygergis which defeats the purpose of having a remote controlled patching system as the time you save patching things after the pre is gained back by crawling around behind the desk physically patching microphones into preamps lol
The way I did mine is
Depending on where you plug the mic in the snake it determine which pre I am using then after that everything is processed through the patch for analog routing through my gear.
It’s still way better and faster. I also use the patch in hybrid mixing which makes it so much easier. And recall routing is much easier.
all your examples are only on one channel could you not show us on multi channels? (tracks)
Anyone that watches this and is upset you can’t plug a mic into it clearly doesn’t understand how audio signals work. Just buy a damn mic pre.
Trust me I have had so many comments about that part specifically 🤦♂️🤦♂️
i purchased this. your gonna run out channels very quickly then your gonna realise this company is shady
if you cant use it for keyboards or mics then its not a true patch bay PERIOD. It is only a partial solution which makes it useless for tracking. Very disappointing for anyone that wants to try different preamps for vocals or instruments.
This is great, thank you. How does it work with 500 series units with instrument inputs on them when tracking? If that unit is connected through Flock patch can you still go into the 500 series unit directly?
Yes it works great. As long as everything is using line inputs and line outputs level you are set.
@@fadygergis Thanks Fady. I really appreciate the response!