The Splitter Channel

[Remoteness]

It's a known fact that we keep repeating ourselves...


Follow the links below -- If you have additional questions, observations and/or enlightenment add them to the individual threads. Consider posting NEW ideas about SPLITTERS here.

Let's keep the "lazy" folks happy.

Why do you want to go split that perfectly good mic anyway?

splitter snake (where to buy)

Splitter / Splitter-snake

Good active isolated splitter?

is building your own mic split and other cables cost effective?

splitting headache (splitter?)

transformer iso split, noiseless?

feedback on these splitters?

Thoughts on this splitter...

What kind of mic split would be best?

Line level to splitter, mic level out..How?

Splitter Snake Question

Splitter with remote transformers

Radial splitter?

active or passive splitter box?

Splitter question

Tranformers at truck?

Transparent signal splitting

any audible difference among popular splitters?


Don't forget to post your splitter thoughts here.

Furthermore, we have much more splitter threads when you click on the "Splitter" tag!

Enjoy!

[forsooth]

Hey Steve,

Thanks for setting me straight on the mic splitter. It's the best piece of equipment I've bought this year. No more problems with the house board now that I'm completely independent of it. I've done done seven live recording gigs since I got it. Five of them in the first week of using it and the results have been terrific, better than I would have believed.

Two of the gigs were with national recording artists and I'm hoping a live album might come out of one of the them. I recorded another live gig last weekend and it blew me away. I wasn't prepared for how much trouble this mic splitter has saved me. It has been worth every penny. It's great to be able to walk in, set-up and know that you are going to only have your own equipment to worry about.

The Medusa snakes with the great big numbers on the Whirlwind XLRs are worth their weight in gold. I'll never skimp on gear again. You get what you pay for and this stuff is just excellent quality all the way.

Thanks for all the advice!

A very happy member of the splitter fraternity......thanks to Steve!

forsooth

[Remoteness]

Thank you very much for the very kind words.
I'm happy you're happy!
All the best to you and yours!

[Remoteness]

I was hoping you folks would post splitter stuff in this thread since it had a sticky...

Well, I'm removing the sticky from this thread since there really wasn't enough movement happening.

[Gerax]

Hello

I'm resurrecting this thread after a few thoughts I've had in these last few days; I'm considering the idea of building a splitter myself; I'd ideally want a 24ch box of very simple design, just a 1 to 2 passive split (with a ground lift switch maybe); I'd be leaning toward a transformer isolated design, but having gone thru almost all of the very interesting and usefull posts listed above (btw, great job steve, it must've been quite a fair amount of time researching them all and putting it all together...I really appreciate that) I came to the conclusion that you cannot build an isolated splitter of this size for less than, say, 1200/1400 € (you do the math for USD), am I right? I took a look at the available prebuilt solutions from Whirlwond, Radial and the likes, but even thogh they offer modular boxes in 8ch blocks...the cost would go way up in the event of a 24ch solution...a lot more than a selfbuilt device...problem is, transformers cost...and if you want to get Jensens there's really no big discounts I could find...am I way off the mark or it's just the way it is?

Thanx for your thougts

L.G.

[Remoteness]

Thanks a lot Lorenzo,

I originally had this up as a sticky but, no one posted on this thread... They just created a new one asking the same questions instead of opening the "Splitter Channel" thread. Very strange but it is what it is I'm afraid.

Ahh, building your own splitter. That's very cool in my opinion.

A 24 channel 1 X 2 splitter with one direct and one ISO XFMR. Will you put an individual ground lift switch on each channel or bridge them all together? IE: All on All off.

Lean all the way towards the transformer isolated design. It's the most logical design it and the professional way to do it.

Yeah, I've spent a fair amount of time researching and putting all those threads together. Thanks again for the kudos my GS friend.

Good quality splitters are not cheap even when you're building it yourself. You're saving on the upfront labor charge and the mark up of the various parts. But, if you have a lot of these parts lying around it can be a very efficient way in building a slamming splitter system.

You can buy a splitter that's not modular. I've sold many splitters in all shapes and sizes. The key is to picking the right components. I've built my own or modified other manufacturers’ splitters to my liking with great success.

Call or email me and I'll direct you towards very decent discounts on those puppies.

[t_chance]

I picked up a used splitter box a couple years ago but it only has 12 of the 24 channels isolated. They are nice Jenson transformers and I'd like to finish off that box. I also have a couple other split boxes that are totally transformerless and I would like to load those up too. Are there any other xformers out there that are a value or should I refinace the house to get Lundahl or Jensons. 32 + 24 +12 = 68
and that X 80 equals more than I've ever payed for a car. Are there surplus or salvage parts I could cobble together?

One of them has Cannon 78 pin male outs and Im having no luck finding female connectors for them. Any idea where I could find those as well? Thanks in advance, Tom

[Gerax]

Hi Steve!

Let's see if we can kick this thread into motion and keep it up, after all the splitter is one of the key parts of the location recording gig, isn't it?

I'd ideally like to put a simple ground lift switch on each channel, as it looks like the most logical solution to it, albeit not the most economical/simple to wire. I remember an XFMR based splitter we used to use in the studio I was an assistant in several years ago, and it had 32 XLR for the ins, and 4x8ch multipin veam connectors (with suitably built fan out snakes) per side for the outputs, with ground lifts for each channel. Ideally I'd like to build a similar design, but I'd like it to be a bit more compact, like a 3 RU in its own dedicated case (it's another box to lug around after all....). The thing is, my setup is actually 24 track capable, but I sometimes find myself a bit limited, and 32 ch would be better, especially when I'm in the mood for spreading my audience mics around; I'm about to get a second dedicated HD recorder, to have my 24 tracks backed up all the time instead of using DA88 or 78s (sometimes I had the frightening though of a 48ch setup...but I'd have no backups, NO NO NO), I may get a few of those Whirlwhind or Radial 1:2 splitter boxes (those that look like a standard DI box) to keep at hand when needed...just a thought.
Anyway...I've worked with splitters made available from the local sound reinforcement companies at the shows I've been recording so far: in the end, I belive it's us who record the show who should provide the splitter, and not only for "courtesy" reasons, as you never know what you are plugging into with sound reinforcement companies...so I may start saving a bit and bite the bullet... .

Your opinions are always welcome, if you could pm me on some link (apart the direct Jenses site) for some good deals on XFMRs I'd really appreciate it.

Cheers

L.G.

[Indrestudios]

I'm upgrading a mic splitter we've had for years, it's a 24 channel box that I'd like to increase up to 48. It was built with old UTC & Stancor transformers - sounds great, built like a tank. I'm thinking I probably can't afford "top of the line" (Jensen?)

Can someone point me to a good resource for 1 : 1 out raw iso transformers. - I'm a bit lost on the large online electronics sites (mouser, etc.) Maybe I just don't know what I'm looking for? ohm ratings on either side of the coil are a bit confusing, should I always be looking for 600 to 600?

thanks in advance,
Michael

[cajonezzz]

so who makes the undisputed finest splitter ( transformered) out there today, money not an object?


links?

[Roland]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

It's a known fact that we keep repeating ourselves...


Follow the links below -- If you have additional questions, observations and/or enlightenment add them to the individual threads. Consider posting NEW ideas about SPLITTERS here.

Let's keep the "lazy" folks happy.

Why do you want to go split that perfectly good mic anyway?

splitter snake (where to buy)

Splitter / Splitter-snake

Good active isolated splitter?

is building your own mic split and other cables cost effective?

splitting headache (splitter?)

transformer iso split, noiseless?

feedback on these splitters?

Thoughts on this splitter...

What kind of mic split would be best?

Line level to splitter, mic level out..How?

Splitter Snake Question

Splitter with remote transformers

Radial splitter?

active or passive splitter box?

Splitter question

Tranformers at truck?

Transparent signal splitting

any audible difference among popular splitters?


Don't forget to post your splitter thoughts here.

Furthermore, we have much more splitter threads when you click on the "Splitter" tag!

Enjoy!

I now have a splitting headache!



Roland

Sorry someone had to say it!

[t_chance]

Originally Posted by t_chance

I picked up a used splitter box a couple years ago but it only has 12 of the 24 channels isolated. They are nice Jenson transformers and I'd like to finish off that box. I also have a couple other split boxes that are totally transformerless and I would like to load those up too. Are there any other xformers out there that are a value or should I refinace the house to get Lundahl or Jensons. 32 + 24 +12 = 68
and that X 80 equals more than I've ever payed for a car. Are there surplus or salvage parts I could cobble together?

One of them has Cannon 78 pin male outs and Im having no luck finding female connectors for them. Any idea where I could find those as well? Thanks in advance, Tom

Should this be moved to the "low end theory" thread?

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by t_chance

Should this be moved to the "low end theory" thread?

So, you're suggesting I move "the Splitter Channel" thread to the "Low End Theory" forum.

Why, do they do remote or location recording over there? Do they use a lot of mic splitters over there?

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by cajonezzz

so who makes the undisputed finest splitter ( transformered) out there today, money not an object?


links?

The one you build yourself...

IMO, it's more about the components you use than the brand name.
High quality XFMRs, connectors and the wiring design is everything when it comes to mic splitters.

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by Indrestudios

I'm upgrading a mic splitter we've had for years, it's a 24 channel box that I'd like to increase up to 48. It was built with old UTC & Stancor transformers - sounds great, built like a tank. I'm thinking I probably can't afford "top of the line" (Jensen?)

Can someone point me to a good resource for 1 : 1 out raw iso transformers. - I'm a bit lost on the large online electronics sites (mouser, etc.) Maybe I just don't know what I'm looking for? ohm ratings on either side of the coil are a bit confusing, should I always be looking for 600 to 600?

thanks in advance,
Michael

Michael,

IMO, those UTC XFMRs are awesome. I have a bunch of them and plan to build a few new 12 channel splitter to interface with my DT12 panel in Elroy. The UTCs I have multi-tap inputs/outputs so, I plan to have multiple input output possibilities.

I'm not familiar with the Stancor XFMRs. Are they as good as the UTCs or are they much better?

[Remoteness]

L. G. baby!

Thanks for keeping the thread going…

Whether you’re low end or high end the mic splitter system you use is the most important device in your chain after the transducers you use.

Installing a ground lift switch is not really that big of a deal. You just need to careful when you’re drilling the holes for your switches. Finding the proper switches is also an important part of the operation. They make these switches that are surrounded with a little metal cylinder that protects the switch from breaking and/or getting bumped by mistake. I look into the manufacturer and part number when I can.

You can build a pretty compact unit – It really depends on the size of the transformers you’re using. The XFMRs can be mounted next to the XLRs so a compact design is likely. So, a 3U dedicated case is probable.

I hope this helped!

[t_chance]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

So, you're suggesting I move "the Splitter Channel" thread to the "Low End Theory" forum.

Why, do they do remote or location recording over there? Do they use a lot of mic splitters over there?

Not the thread Steve, just my post for looking for less expensive transformers.

[Remoteness]

Ahh, gotcha...

I still think you'll get a better chance on inexpensive XFMRs here...

Give me a jingle -- I thin k I can help you with what you're looking for.

[Remoteness]

Consider adding your splitter questions and ideas here...

Or, use the splitter tag at the bottom of this forum's main page and add your thoughts to an applicable thread.

[DRC]

After a lap around Gearslutz Im still looking for an answer for this question:

I need a transparent, passive, line-level 1in to 3out splitter. Im going to be passively triamping my monitors and I keep running into splitters that have a transformerless direct out and two transformer-isolated outs. Are there any boxes out there that just split a line-level signal 3 ways? Should I just make a 3 way y-cable (guess that would that be a "w" cable)? Or will running a series of Y-cables (a second one off the first split to the mid and highs) field the same results without degrading the signal path to the mid driver and tweeter?

[Indrestudios]

sounds like your looking for a crossover - not a splitter.

[DRC]

Originally Posted by Indrestudios

sounds like your looking for a crossover - not a splitter.

No. Im going to use the crossovers in the PMC's. I want to passively triamp these babies. They sound great that way. I think they had a series of 2 Y-cables going on when I demoed them. Im just wondering if a 3-way splitter would be be better because the cable lengths to each driver would be the same that way. I know it sounds kinda nuts but it would be a little cleaner to wire and I imagine a bit cheaper as well to just buy two passive boxes that just pass signal.

[mpdonahue]

Michael,
All you need is a 1>3 "Y" cable, unless you need to set different send levels to the different amplifiers. I've been passively biamping the monitors in the mastering studios here for about a 2 decades and all the amps have simple "Y" cables on the back of them.
As to cost, The sum total of a 3 way "Y" cable is $7 for the connectors, about a cool buck for the wire and 30 min or your time to solder it up.
All the best,
Mark

[DRC]

Originally Posted by mpdonahue

Michael,
All you need is a 1>3 "Y" cable, unless you need to set different send levels to the different amplifiers. I've been passively biamping the monitors in the mastering studios here for about a 2 decades and all the amps have simple "Y" cables on the back of them.
As to cost, The sum total of a 3 way "Y" cable is $7 for the connectors, about a cool buck for the wire and 30 min or your time to solder it up.
All the best,
Mark

Had a feeling that was going to be solution. Ive never done a "y" split ona cable before let alone a 3-way split. Im sure after a bit of research I'll figure it out.

Thanks Mark.

[Barnabas]

None of the links in the original post seem to work.

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by Barnabas

None of the links in the original post seem to work.

Yeah, I made Jules aware of this problem.
The website got updated and I believe the link URLs do not compute but...

The titles are for real so, you can search those words or click on the Splitter Tags at the bottom of the forum's main page.

One of these days I plan to fix those links by editing in the new URL codes or something to that affect.

[Remoteness]

IT'S ALIVE!!!

46 minutes later and the Splitter Channel links are ALIVE again.

Keep in mind you will find a lot more splitter thread links using the Splitter Tag link near the bottom of this forum's main page. Just click on the sucker and you're golden.

[Jim vanBergen]

You don't want a splitter for crossover applications. Are your speakers crossed over passively (an electronic network built into the speaker path internally) or are you using an electronic crossover? Regardless of that answer, Many amplifiers have signal OUTS as well as inputs, that provide a safe way to split the line between amps.

Hope this helps!
Jvb

Originally Posted by DRC

After a lap around Gearslutz Im still looking for an answer for this question:

I need a transparent, passive, line-level 1in to 3out splitter. Im going to be passively triamping my monitors and I keep running into splitters that have a transformerless direct out and two transformer-isolated outs. Are there any boxes out there that just split a line-level signal 3 ways? Should I just make a 3 way y-cable (guess that would that be a "w" cable)? Or will running a series of Y-cables (a second one off the first split to the mid and highs) field the same results without degrading the signal path to the mid driver and tweeter?

[DRC]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

Are your speakers crossed over passively (an electronic network built into the speaker path internally) or are you using an electronic crossover?

Hope this helps!
Jvb

Im using the passive crossovers in the speakers. I would think that hitting the each power amp with the line level signal at the same time (via a 3-way "y" cable) would yield better results that going through more connections, transformer outs, and what ever else might be involved with chaining amps.

Is this how you Triamp your system? What are you using? Results?

[bishopthomas]

Maybe I don't understand your setup, but your use of a splitter rather than a crossover is confusing me. If you use a splitter to send the same signal to multiple amps then you're going to have multiple speaker cables run to your monitors. I've never seen a speaker with different inputs for the different components. In your triamped system you would have to have an NL8 connector in order to pass all three signals to their appropriate components. But even in your situation each component would have to have its own crossover in order to filter out the unwanted frequencies. Either you have some crazy monitors that I don't understand or you're confused about the gear you need in order for this to work.

If your speakers have internal crossovers that will do a passive 3-way then you just plug your one signal into it. If you are wanting to use separate amps for each of the triamped components then you will need a crossover before your amps. Your stereo signal goes into the crossover; you set your crossover points then come out of the crossover's low, mid, and high outputs into the corresponding amps. Then the amp's outputs go into the speaker's inputs. You'll need a connector capable of carrying multiple speaker signals (like the NL8) so that you have one cable and one connector going into your speaker cabinet. Internally, each signal is passed to its appropriate component.