studio setup help (patchbays,cables)

[dean stiglitz]

hi all,
well i think i have finally found a new location for my studio, and am
starting to think through what i need to replace, and how i should set
it up.  i've never used a patchbay before, i always set my gear up
facing the middle of the room, but this new space is a little smaller,
and will also be my bedroom :)  it seems like a good idea to use
patchbays and keep everything tight (and against the wall).

can someone recomend something???  i have xlr, balanced and unbalanced
1/4" (and i might even consider something for midi as well).  in my mind
(scary place), i'm thinking it would be most cost effective to get a
patchbay with solder connections on the back, a big spool of wire, and a
bunch of 1/4" and xlr connectors to go to all the inputs and outputs of
the gear (cut the cable to the proper length and solder to the back of
the patchbay).

i've never even looked at patchbays before, so i'm looking for cost
effective units that will add the least ammount of noise (obviosly).
also, what kind of cable should i buy???

deknow