PatchBox is a passive "output multiplier" that can be used to distribute the output of a professional audio mixer to the inputs of peripheral equipment. PatchBox is ideal for feeding a mixer’s output signal into DAT recorders, digital editors, computer sound cards, cassette and reel decks, VCRs, PA systems, dubbing racks, limiters, and other audio equipment. Both professional equipment with balanced inputs and consumer equipment with unbalanced inputs can be used.

PatchBox is compatible with any active balanced (transformerless) low impedance signal source that is ground-referenced. (Most professional mixers built since the early 1980s use this topology.)

From a stereo source, PatchBox creates eleven stereo outputs: five balanced stereo outputs and six unbalanced stereo outputs.

PatchBox balanced outputs, on XLR and ¼" TRS connectors, provide a "unity gain" signal with a 600 ohm source impedance. PatchBox unbalanced outputs, on gold-plated RCA connectors, provide a signal that is compatible with the inputs of consumer gear. Because the inputs circuits of audio equipment are normally high-impedance ("bridging"), any combination of outputs can be used simultaneously without interaction or signal degradation.