split snakes...transformers???

[maxpidge]

ive recorded live shows for years using a 24ch split snake, house mic's to my snake, one whip to house snake, one whip to me... NEVER had a problem with noise, or phantom power... so what am i missing? why would a snake have transformers??

[Roland]

Isolation!

That being said, whatever type of snake you use there can always be issues with. I know people that for years have only used hard wired splits without any problems, though most recording companies seem to either go with transformered or active splits.

Regards


Roland

[Remoteness]

It sounds like you have a simple (multiple channel) Wye cord in a box aka parallel split.

Typically, you should isolate yourself from the other rig when you are not sharing the same power source.

An isolation transformer provides a way to decouple pins 2 & 3 from each other.
A ground lift switch makes or breaks pin one when applicable.

The XFMR passes audio, but blocks any DC voltage in either direction.
Usually, one of the outputs is wired direct on the primary side of the XRMR.
The secondary side of the XFMR is the isolated side which (of course) blocks the DC voltage.

Isolation XFMRS helps to improve the common mode rejection.

I would check out my sticky (the beginner's guide) for more information on this subject...

Or, Not! I may have not linked any isolation transformer white paper pages, so click on the popular tag "splitter" for an insane amount of information.
I recall someone explaining and/or linking us to a technical description on this subject.

USE THOSE TAGS!
When it comes to XFMRs, the higher the quality the better the shielding and frequency response.

[mixedupsteve]

http://www.jensen-transformers.com/a...%20Chapter.pdf