y-cables for monitoring input into DAW

[dtobocman]

(cross-posted from GM's forum)

I've heard that carefully made Y-cables operating at line-level do not degrade the quality or level of a signal.

1) is this true?

2) could I build some "mult" cables where one destination would be the input to my A/D convertor and the other would an input on my mixer? The source would be the output of the last device in my input chain. This way I could monitor exactly what was hitting the input of the convertor.

I'm talking balanced cables, +4db.

I also have a balanced, normalled patchbay, if someone wants to suggest a better way to monitor the input chain without latency as it enters the DAW.

Thanks...

[fishtop_records]

Originally posted by dtobocman

1) is this true?

It is true that most line level output devices can drive
one or more line level input devices, if the impedances
on the input side are "normal"

The cable, itself if well made, has nothing to do with it.

2) could I build some "mult" cables where one destination would be the input to my A/D convertor and the other would an input on my mixer?

Balanced cables, taking it from the patch bay, etc.
all are equivalent and should work fine.

The good part is that you can test this easily.
Try it. See if you like it.