Pro-co splitters - how is the quality?

[bit mangler]

Folks,

I have access to a Pro-co 8 channel splitter model ms-83p.I was wondering what the quality of the transformers are in comparison to Jensens,Lundahls or Cinemags.I was thinking about swapping 4 or 5 transformers for the "money" channels if they perform better.
I must thank Mr.Remoteness for sharing so much information in this forum.I am an amateur but I've gained a lot of knowledge and I'm in a position to take better decisions.Also it is great that folks like me are able to get the opinions of remote gurus.

Here is a pic of the Pro-co guts.

[foldback]

The transformers (in current production) are custom made for Proco by an OEM. They're not great but not bad either. They don't have electrostatic shields or mumetal cans but you can get by without those nice noise reducing features if you don't mount the splitter over a power amp or next to some other noise generator (like a light dimmer :-).

No need to swap out the trannies, run the straight-thru connections to the recording rig and the transformer isolated channels to the PA. The recording rig will get the pure crisp straight sound and the PA guy will never know the mic came to him through a splitter.

99% of live sound engineers don't understand transformer splits anyway and they have never complained to me about Proco sound quality. 1% of the live sound engineers know something about splitters, for them I make sure I've got my Jensens with me.

If any of the split mics need phantom power, you'll need to provide it if you connect as I suggested.

The Jensen mic splitter transformers have some of the lowest distortion and lowest noise on the planet. Get one and play with it to learn the characteristics. I've built many split boxes with the Jensens, they're very good transformers.

I've also built many splits with Crimson transformers. Here's a link to their web site.

http://crimsonaudiotransformers.com/

The premium Crimson splitter transformers have one of the best MuMetal cans available anywhere. Same low distortion and wide bandwidth as the Jennys (it's not that hard for a transformer builder to dismantle and copy a competitors product :-)
Crimson mic splitter transformers are hand made and about half the price of the Jensens.

Best of luck to you.

Mark

[foldback]

I just looked at your photo again. I'm wondering what the heck those electrolytic capacitors are doing in there?

I'm not familiar with your particular model of splitter although I've seen those Proco split transformers in many Proco products, typical unshielded parts.

I don't know why those caps are in there, does this thing do phantom power or something?

[bit mangler]

foldback,

Thanks for the info.I used to wonder why the Jensen transformers had the metal enclosures.

This particular Proco model has provision for 48v phantom power supply.The caps are for that circuit I think.

[foldback]

Originally Posted by bit mangler

foldback,

Thanks for the info.I used to wonder why the Jensen transformers had the metal enclosures.

This particular Proco model has provision for 48v phantom power supply.The caps are for that circuit I think.

Glad I could put some of my expensive education to use helping someone else. This forum has taught me a thing or twenty so I'm very glad to pass things along.

Those MuMetal enclosures can be good for 20 to 30 dB of noise isolation. For as much as these little metal cans cost you would think they're made of gold.

If you start recording symphonies with Grace Design preamps you might want to think about getting the cans or better transformers but otherwise you're probably good to go.

Best of luck to you in your endeavors.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by foldback

No need to swap out the trannies, run the straight-thru connections to the recording rig and the transformer isolated channels to the PA. The recording rig will get the pure crisp straight sound and the PA guy will never know the mic came to him through a splitter.

99% of live sound engineers don't understand transformer splits anyway and they have never complained to me about Proco sound quality. 1% of the live sound engineers know something about splitters, for them I make sure I've got my Jensens with me.

Hi Mark,

Have you found that FOH guys are concerned about the recording weenie controlling the 48v on some of the mics?

Thanks.

[foldback]

It depends on the FOH guy and respect. I normally try to use as many of my own mics as possible, I usually have better mics than sound companies I work with. The best way to keep things straight and hum free is to use my own gear and minimize splits or interfaces between systems.

But sometimes, we gotta work together or just take what we're given and swallow it. I have Grace and API preamps but lots of times the FOH guy has no clue what my preamps are. Generic live sound guys rarely have ever heard of Grace preamps, sad, but true. In these cases I think it is up to the band to be a bit responsible for the recorded sound. I can try to fight about it but usually choose not to because of shortage of time plus my heart can't take the pressure :-)

My splitter transformers sound really good so I am ok with my feed being the isolated send rather than the direct. I avoid wars. I'd rather have the direct feed and my gear is all on a UPS so my phantom power is never gonna go down and make a loud pop on the recording but, when confusion and ignorance come into play from the live sound guys I just do the best I can.

At preproduction meetings, I always make a pitch for me to be the direct feed and to supply phantom power on the channels I am splitting. I would say in most cases, I get to do what I want.

One of the most important skills for any sound person is to learn to work together with everyone else. Being a team player and choosing my battles carefully has made me a lot more money than trying to prove I'm better or smarter than everyone else (even if I am 8-)