Ten-time Grammy Award-winning engineer Manny Marroquin recently implemented a Flock Audio PATCH System, which provides digitally controlled patchbay routing, into his workflow at Larrabee Studios in Los Angeles.
“I’ve been mixing records since I was 18 years old, so for me to get excited over something, it takes a lot because I’ve seen it all,” Marroquin said. “But the PATCH System is the most inspirational thing I’ve had in my room in a long time. I don’t like using the word ‘gamechanger’ because I think it’s overused, but the PATCH System really is a gamechanger for me.”
Marroquin first employed the PATCH System for Post Malone’s forthcoming album, noting that in particular, it enhanced the vocals. “I changed one of the compressors and bypass each one and the vocals were just amazing, all because of this piece of gear,” he says. “I used it on the entire album that’s going to be released in a few months.”
Since installing the PATCH in Studio 2 at Larrabee, where he’s mixed for more than 20 years, Marroquin said he’s used it on 100 percent of his projects, including with artists Charlie Puth, Lizzo, Camilla Cabello and more. In juggling so many projects at once, he and his assistant have had to work quickly.
“I have a lot of projects on my plate,” he explains. “When I’m mixing, my assistant might be in another part of the building and by the time I find him, any inspiration I had is gone. Having access to all my outboard gear and my plugins is the best of both worlds and the PATCH helps me achieve that.”
Marroquin first discovered the PATCH System while talking to A Perfect Circle’s Billy Howerdel, began researching the system, and saw its capabilities. “I got the system and all of a sudden it changed the way I was mixing forever,” he says. “It’s so easy to use. This was exactly what I had been looking for for the last 20 years.”
The first PATCH System Marroquin acquired went straight to the patchbay, while a second unit, which he’s anticipating installing in the next few months, will be used with the actual console. “We’re going to start with 48 points and squeeze it into 48 channels — that’s the easiest way,” he concludes. “It will be interesting to see how my workflow needs to be.”
