KT Square One Splitter vs Art S8 with DAV or Presonus

[gareth.h.rees]

I posted this thread :

Gear Decisons - A run down of my rig!

as a review of my rig but I think the length of the post has scared people off a bit!

My main question was regarding splitters and preamps.

I'll be using a 01v96 in to HD24 and will need to split up to 8 mics with the PA guys on most occasions. Generally I wont need more than 8 splits, so will hire if I do need more.

Usually I record rock/jazz groups in a club but will also be doing some "classical" work (small ensembles/soloists).


a) That only leaves me with 12 mic amps. I was considering a DAV BG2, which would bump me up to 16, but then:

b) I need to include splitters. I was originally considering the Art S8, but came across the KT Square One, which includes 8 mic amps, and is probably a bit more reputable than the Art. The problem with this is that I think the preamps are only for the direct outs (electronically isolated?) with the transformer output receiving a fixed gain output.

Will the FOH/Monitor guys mind taking the transformer out? Possibly not? But I'm concerned that they might mind that the preamp gain is set for one of their outputs at the splitter. Granted, I doubt I'm going to be doing many gigs that are so big they have a separate monitor desk, but the Art S8 3Way would get around that problem easily. but,

c) The Art would leave me 4 preamps short, whereas the KT would give me 20, and possibly better quality than the Yamaha desk?

I've been going around in circles all day with this...

I guess the choice is between:

i) Dav BG2 + Art S8 £850
ii) KT Square One Splitter £700


I also currently own a Digimax FS 8 Channel preamp. I could save some cash by keeping this instead of the Dav, and which coupled with the S8, would give me 8 preamps and good splitting options, but I'm concerned that I then have no "high quality" preamps.


Any thoughts/ideas?


Cheers
Gareth

[LX3]

Splitters usually end up on (or near) stage. On small gigs, preamps need to be with you.

So I wouldn't have said they're interchangeable. I don't think that using an active splitter as your preamp is too practical. (although I have heard of people doing it).

I'd get proper splitters - be they active or passive - and proper preamps.

[mixedupsteve]

I think most FOH engineers would want the direct split and I would recommend that you get a passive isolated box w ground lifts and go ahead and get 16 chan now if you can swing it. Whirlwind makes nice ones or you could even make your own.

[marcykid]

I send the transformer isolated outputs from my S8's to FOH, and take the direct outs for my recording rig (located on-stage). I prefer the cleaner direct signal path to my mic pres. It's helpful that I use all dynamic mics, which don't require 48V phantom power from FOH. If, for some reason, I needed 48V phantom (for a Shure Beta 87 or something), I'd just buy an external 48V supply box to power the mic before it went to the splitter. The NADY SMPS1X costs $20 bucks at Guitar Center.

Cheers,
Woz.

[bishopthomas]

Originally Posted by marcykid

If, for some reason, I needed 48V phantom (for a Shure Beta 87 or something), I'd just buy an external 48V supply box to power the mic before it went to the splitter.

Or you could just press the phantom button on your preamp... The direct side (that would be you) provides phantom on an isolated split.

[marcykid]

Originally Posted by bishopthomas

Or you could just press the phantom button on your preamp... The direct side (that would be you) provides phantom on an isolated split.

That would work if I had some kind of store bought preamps. But I don't. I have custom built racks of 1960's era discreet class-A ADM preamps. Currently they don't have phantom power, although my tech could modify them fairly easily.

[mixedupsteve]

Originally Posted by marcykid

I send the transformer isolated outputs from my S8's to FOH, and take the direct outs for my recording rig (located on-stage). I prefer the cleaner direct signal path to my mic pres. It's helpful that I use all dynamic mics, which don't require 48V phantom power from FOH. If, for some reason, I needed 48V phantom (for a Shure Beta 87 or something), I'd just buy an external 48V supply box to power the mic before it went to the splitter. The NADY SMPS1X costs $20 bucks at Guitar Center.

Cheers,
Woz.

Are your soundguys happy with the sound of the transformer split in the Art?

[jude]

cant comment on the square 1 splitters, however i used to use the DN1248s all the time. they could bump up the gain where needed and most importantly, sounded fine.