The latest release from Wolff Audio sees the company turn their attention to outboard signal routing, delivering a high-quality relay-based patchbay that can be controlled digitally from a computer or mobile device. The ProPatch 128R manages to pack 128 patch points into a 1U chassis, and offers an electronics-free, ‘straight-wire’ signal path that’s been designed to deliver the most transparent sound possible.
The unit has been designed to either replace or augment an existing TT-based patchbay system, and it's possible to chain multiple units if required. The majority of its I/O (48 inputs and 48 outputs) is provided by a set of 12 rear-panel DB25 connectors, with the remaining count made up by a set of 32 front-panel Bantam/TT sockets. The front panel also houses four XLR/TRS combo sockets and four quarter-inch TRS sockets, which are normalled to inputs 13–16 and outputs 13–16 respectively. The ProPatch 128R occupies just a single rack space, and as it generates no heat, does not require any fans.
Its switching functionality can be controlled remotely from a desktop or mobile application, which can be connected to the unit via USB-C, Ethernet or a built-in Wi-Fi connection. Using the application, users are able to establish connections between their outboard gear, and then save the configurations for recall along with their DAW sessions. As well as saving and recalling snapshots, the software also offers some advanced routing and multing options, as well as an A/B feature for quickly comparing the sound of different signal chains.
The ProPatch 128$ features a mixture of DB25, TT/Bantam, XLR and TRS connectivity.
“With the ProPatch, our goal was to transform a left-brain, laborious process into an instant and intuitive one, enabling engineers to use their analogue gear to the fullest, whether tracking, mixing or mastering. As an immutable principle, the ProPatch’s signal path had to be free of electronics — no sonic fingerprint — and able to pass phantom power and mic/line levels. It is agnostic to the signal it’s routing; electrically, it is just a ‘wire’. Engineers will use their gear differently once they have a ProPatch. It facilitates happy accidents and experiments that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.” - Jared Vogt, ProPatch designer and co-founder of Wolff Audio
The company say that additional models are already in the works, and are currently set for release at NAMM 2025.
Pricing & Availability
The ProPatch 128R is available now, priced at $8987.
