Bittree was founded by Glenn Gerrard in 1978; however, Gerrard's pro-audio pedigree was cemented long before. Glenn started out at Motown Records in 1968, maintaining equipment for Motown Records in Detroit. He relocated to Los Angeles in the early '70s, working for Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. after the company's move to the West Coast. From there, Glenn moved into television, where he had his first hands-on experience with video signals while working on Merv Griffin productions such as Jeopardy! and MacGyver. Working with audio/video distribution equipment – replete with the frustrations and inefficiencies presented by inflexible, hand-soldered connections – convinced him there had to be a better way.
Gerrard launched Bittree in 1978. Their first product was a fixed, prewired patchbay, followed closely by a connectorized, chassis-based patch system. Since then, Bittree has earned an international reputation for quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Today, the company offers a complete line of patching products designed and manufactured in their Glendale, California, factory.
The robust build quality baked into every Bittree product far exceeds the plastic construction typical of many low-cost patchbays. Bittree patchbays feature patented programmable front panels made of metal, as opposed to breakage-prone phenolic resin. The same painstakingly engineered design, typified by the company's robust 3-pin and DB-25 rear-connection interfaces, also eliminates the noise associated with budget alternatives. This rapt attention to detail starts with the selection of components.
For the connectors, that means solid-gold switching contacts, welded and electrically bonded to the spring leaves, resulting in higher electrical current ratings and superior durability compared with patchbays using pressed-on foil contacts. Removable stainless-steel front-panel designation strips enable easy reconfiguration of circuit normalling and grounding, which also protects the professional-grade shunts from dust, as well as electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference. On a practical level, the designation strips give you ample space for effortless labeling that can be identified at a glance.
From home studios to the world’s top audio facilities, Bittree patching solutions simplify signal routing, streamline workflows, and protect costly studio gear. Compliant with the latest digital transmission standards, Bittree products are found in world-class studios and entertainment venues, and they are specified by top A/V integrators who require audio, video, and data patching systems that consistently deliver superior performance and meticulous adherence to stringent quality standards. Thriving over 40 years is a remarkable accomplishment for an independent technology company. Sweetwater is proud to represent Bittree in the marketplace, and we wish them another four successful decades — and then some!
