Thanks for the encouragement Video Track...and to GuitarHacker - I probably could live without a patch bay, but where's the fun in that ? ha ha.

Jeff - that's a great article, one I hadn't come across, that will probably answer most if not all of my questions. I have another excellent article, but it is written with terminology I find difficult to relate to - probably because I am connecting the studio without a lot of songwriting and recording experience (btw - I work backwards, I buy what I "think" I want on Craigslist or ebay at close to 1/2 price, and play with and use it many years later - hence I have a lot of older 'good quality' consumer equipment sitting largely unused until now...I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I am easily and fairly criticized for this stupid habit - but it's who I am ha ha)

The HIGH level goal is simple - connect anything to anything with minimal connection changes. Once I can answer your questions VideoTracker, I will no longer need the advice !!! But in short here are my more detailed requirements:

1.) I have 3 different pairs of outputs that are NEVER used at the same time (computer speakers, monitors, and a small power Amp stereo speaker setup) that I would like to switch between with minimal wire change.

2.) I have 3 effects processors (Helicon Voicworks, Boss VF1, Roland GT10, DOD G7 (for Journey song nolstalgia), each of which I envision using interchangeably for VOICE and/or GUITAR.

3.) A Presounus Firepod connected to PC, with BB and NI Softsynth

4.) Several MIDI inputs - Roland GI-20, NI Keyboard Controller, one Kore 2 controller

5.) several guitars, one bass, a few acoustic instruments - mics for all

I've read that one should not hook microphones up to a patch bay due to impedance mismatches that can damage them - so likely I'll avoid this.

As far as what to use to drive what in what combinations ? I've never focused on studio equipment use or recording - only the buying part. But I finally need to fill my bucket list of writing and recording some originals, even though it's never been my personality to focus on that over actually studying to learn to play flamenco guitar. I've lead a troubled, confusing life ha ha

Regards,
Joe V.