Bainz’s Studio Workflow Upgrade: The Patchbay Change That Quietly Changed Everything

A Workflow Upgrade That Became a Turning Point

When we sat down with Bainz to talk through a recent studio update, neither of us expected the conversation to revolve around a patchbay. What began as a practical workflow upgrade quickly revealed itself as one of the most impactful changes Bainz has made in years – influencing every mix, every decision, and everything passing through his rig.

This wasn’t about adding colour or character. It was about removing limitations he didn’t even realise were there.

Watch Bainz Walk Through His ProPatch Setup

In the video below, Bainz breaks down exactly how ProPatch integrates into his studio and how it’s used across real-world sessions – not theory, but daily practice.

🎥 Watch the Full Video! ⤵️

The Upgrade Bainz Never Expected to Matter This Much

Bainz told us he never imagined a patchbay upgrade would affect how he mixed. Speakers change what you hear – but this changed everything flowing through the studio. After installing Wolff Audio’s ProPatch, he realised his previous setup had been subtly restricting headroom and clarity, quietly influencing his decisions without him noticing.

Once those constraints were gone, the difference was impossible to ignore.

Relay-Based Design and “Straight Wire” Signal Integrity

What stood out immediately was ProPatch’s relay-based signal path. Instead of traditional switching, ProPatch behaves like straight wire connections – and that distinction matters.

Bainz noticed roughly half a dB of additional headroom, along with tighter low end, cleaner highs, and improved balance across the spectrum. Nothing was added. Nothing was coloured. The signal simply passed through with greater integrity – allowing him to trust what he was hearing at every stage of the mix.

More Headroom, Clearer Mix Decisions

That extra headroom fundamentally changed how Bainz worked. He found himself boosting less top end, making fewer compensating moves, and second-guessing his choices far less.

The clarity reinforced a simple but often overlooked truth: not all patchbays are created equal. Relay quality matters – and its impact reaches far beyond simple routing.

Analog Hardware Workflow With Plugin-Level Speed

ProPatch doesn’t just preserve signal integrity – it transforms workflow. With relay-based routing and digital control, Bainz can build, rearrange, and recall full analog chains with the speed and flexibility of plugins.

Compress before EQ. EQ after compression. Instantly A/B entire hardware chains. Save and recall complex setups without breaking creative flow. Bainz uses ProPatch across mix bus processing, vocal chains, synths, and hardware inserts – all without interrupting the session.

Seeing this workflow in action makes the advantage immediately clear.

Why ProPatch Is Gaining Industry Recognition

ProPatch’s focus on signal integrity, relay-based design, and modern hybrid workflow hasn’t gone unnoticed. The system has been nominated for a NAMM TEC Award, recognising innovation that genuinely advances audio production.

If this approach to preserving sound quality while unlocking faster, smarter workflows resonates with you, your vote helps shine a spotlight on the engineering behind it.

🗳 Vote for ProPatch at the TEC Awards!

Learn More About the Wolff Audio ProPatch Series

Whether you’re refining an existing setup or rethinking how your studio is wired from the ground up, ProPatch offers a rare combination of transparency, flexibility, and speed – without compromise.