Question re. cheap possible way of splitting?

[bluefunkybassman]

My first post! Relative newbie here.....

I may have the opportunity to record a music group at a church in the near future. Although I currently only have a stereo audio interface (Tascam Firestudio), I hope to have something like a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 by that stage....

Anyway... my problem is this:

The main vocal microphones (4 of them) go to a stage box and then through a hidden multicore (I presume) to the FOH desk at the back of the church hall. I would love to be able to take direct feeds off the mixer channels and simply record those (hopefully pre-fader of course), but ALAS, there are no direct outs on the desk. I am not sure what type of desk it is, but it's pretty simple - probably doesn't even have sub-groups.

I am aware that one can buy mic splitter boxes, but these are prohibitively expensive for someone on modest means (i.e. me).

So - I came across these online, which seem like they could be the answer to my prayers!: http://www.theloudest.co.uk/?sectionid=1&page=view_product&product _id=99#spec

These seem perfect, as the mics could simply plug into the top of them and I could take a feed off each one direct to my Saffire. In the linked text, they do say something slightly worrying about phantom power, which I would love more explanation on. However, I do believe the 4 vocal mics are dynamics, so I presume this will not be an issue for me.

Before I make a hasty purchase, do you think the product will be suitable for my needs? Is there anything I need to watch out for? Will they rob the sound of quality?

I would appreciate any opinions or advice.

Thanks

[slaphappygarry]

Hey,

Welcome to GS. Do a search for y cables using the search function above, you will find a tonne of helpful info. They are easy to make and super cheap but not the most elegant way of doing it.

Let us know how you get on.

G

[bluefunkybassman]

Thanks Gary.

I'm not really keen on the Y cable idea, and was more looking for specific opinions on the product in the link. The reason is because it may not be possible to have the computer close to the stage box. I like the flexibility of the product I've asked about, but would sound quality be an issue?

Thanks :-)

[BenFranske]

I suspect the product you have asked about is a Y cable without the cable bit. For that price I don't think it could be much more. Thus, all comments about advantages (mostly cost) and disadvantages (phantom, ground loops, signal level, quality, etc.) of Y cables would also apply to these. I think that's why you were directed to search on Y cables.

[bluefunkybassman]

Ok, many thanks. Sorry!

I will do a search on Y Cables as suggested....

[mixedupsteve]

I bought some of these a while back and still use them sometimes.

[slaphappygarry]

I suspect the product you have asked about is a Y cable without the cable bit.

Yup, I think these will be alright though. Maybe the sort of gadget worth having 'just incase'.

But, do go look up y cables. You could make them up for next to nothing and would have a really good understanding of what you are up to.

G

[therecordinghous]

look in to the ART S8. 8 channels of mic splitting for about $250.

[boojum]

The link posted by the OP is to a site selling a "Y-splitter" but not cable and with matching xformers. Pretty neat.


I have a case coming up which I am going to record where I would like to split either two or four mics. I can put together the Y-splitter, just wires and XLR's, but am interested to learn the drawbacks. I. E., what could go wrong? I would be using an SD 788T as my primary recorder and a pair of inked SD 722's as the backups.

Thank you

[bluefunkybassman]

Many thanks!

So the fact this has transformers etc means that it will be better than a simple Y cable? I don't really understand the technical detail, but just want to make sure it should work well without wrecking the sound quality! I know you guys can't guarantee that without trying one, but does the fact it mentions transformers fill you knowledgable dudes with joy or concern?!!

:-)

[mixedupsteve]

When you connect a mic to two different devices with a Y cable then you are also connecting them to each other. If the two different devices have a slightly different ground potential then you will get a slight current flow and a hum. A transformer blocks this flow. I usually set up to record near FOH and always try to plug in to the same circuit or very near the mixer which reduces this risk. A transformer can also color the sound which can be good or bad.
I would get the measurements of the splitters and just make sure they will fit where you plan to put them too. They look small but some mixers have very little space at the inputs.

BTW: another way to get a direct out that you can use on alot of mixers is to connect into the "first click" of the insert jack. You'll get an unbalanced signal but I've done it in a pinch and it worked fine. A spliiter would be better though.

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by slaphappygarry

Hey,

Welcome to GS. Do a search for y cables using the search function above, you will find a tonne of helpful info. They are easy to make and super cheap but not the most elegant way of doing it.

Let us know how you get on.

G

You may also want to click on the popular tag called "splitter" which is at the top of the page. There are many thread discussions about splitters and such.

FYI, you cannot search for words with less than three letters so searching for the letter "y" will get you nowhere. You could search for wye cord since I've been using that spelling so the search engine would recognise it.

Another popular tag you may want to check is "cables and wire" which is included in the list at the top of the main forum page.

[therecordinghous]

Originally Posted by bluefunkybassman

Many thanks!

So the fact this has transformers etc means that it will be better than a simple Y cable? I don't really understand the technical detail, but just want to make sure it should work well without wrecking the sound quality! I know you guys can't guarantee that without trying one, but does the fact it mentions transformers fill you knowledgable dudes with joy or concern?!!

:-)

are you inquiring about the ART S8?

[bluefunkybassman]

Originally Posted by therecordinghous

are you inquiring about the ART S8?

Sorry - was actually referring to the devices in my OP...

I think the ART will be out of my price range as the UK prices are not good on anything right now, and it's not really a must-have item for me...

[bluefunkybassman]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

You may also want to click on the popular tag called "splitter" which is at the top of the page. There are many thread discussions about splitters and such.

Many thanks :-)

[bluefunkybassman]

Originally Posted by mixedupsteve

I would get the measurements of the splitters and just make sure they will fit where you plan to put them too. They look small but some mixers have very little space at the inputs.

Many thanks - I would be putting them into a stage box, hence why I would like to record near the band.

(Actually, there is also a more practical reason - I'll probably be playing in the band at the same time, having set up levels in advance, hence I want to keep an eye on the computer from my position!) :-D

[gareth.h.rees]

Haven't read through the whole thread, but at only a little bit more than the splitters you linked to you could get this: THE T.RACKS SPLIT IT! MKII - U.K. International Cyberstore

May be a little more flexible for you...

[bluefunkybassman]

Originally Posted by gareth.h.rees

Haven't read through the whole thread, but at only a little bit more than the splitters you linked to you could get this: THE T.RACKS SPLIT IT! MKII - U.K. International Cyberstore

May be a little more flexible for you...

Thanks Gareth. Someone on another forum pointed me to that today too. Looks really good, but I wonder if there would be any quality issues considering its ultra-low price??!!

[gareth.h.rees]

Originally Posted by bluefunkybassman

Thanks Gareth. Someone on another forum pointed me to that today too. Looks really good, but I wonder if there would be any quality issues considering its ultra-low price??!!

I don't know since I don't own one - but would certainly be interested to know!

[talbe1019]

Originally Posted by bluefunkybassman

Thanks Gareth. Someone on another forum pointed me to that today too. Looks really good, but I wonder if there would be any quality issues considering its ultra-low price??!!

It appears to only be a passive split, so as long as there is decent soldering inside I really don't see an issue. You are only talking about a rack chassis, a couple of switches, some wire and some XLR connectors.

[bluefunkybassman]

Originally Posted by talbe1019

It appears to only be a passive split, so as long as there is decent soldering inside I really don't see an issue. You are only talking about a rack chassis, a couple of switches, some wire and some XLR connectors.

Many thanks everyone! Will definitely look into getting some of these when I get my Saffire Pro 40....