What passive or active mic splitters maintain excellent signal integrity?

[fross]

I need to be able to split my balanced (and perhaps unbalanced) signals between the ADC and the studio mixer for monitoring.

The direct line should be unchanged. I'm talking about the secondary line. Who makes a studio grade splitter and what transformers are they using?

And has anybody ever used a plain and simple balanced Y-cord for this kind of application with any success?

[fifthcircle]

As long as power issues aren't there, I do this all the time... Simple "Y" cords.

That said, if you are working somewhere where the different parts are going to be on different power (and increases the chances of ground loops), get a good Jensen Transformer isolated splitter.

--Ben

[fross]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[De chromium cob]

A simpler way is to use a patchbay- The Neutrik bays I use can be set up to split an incoming patch into two outgoing signals- I send one to the converter, and one to the board for monitoring. I also have a 40 channel transformer split snake, but thats only used for live location recordings or live sound gigs.

[hollywood_steve]

This is sort of going off on a tangent, but if you only need one or two splits, what about the following:
For line level splitting, how about one of those monitor distribution units, something like the ProCo SwitchWitch, or any of the Coleman boxes? These things are designed to take a line level input (from a console output) and send it to two or three outputs (different active monitors or power amp inputs). They are usually just a very simple transformer splitting circuit. When you only need one or two splits on a job, these things seem like they would do the trick.

I often record small jazz or blues bands live to 2 track with only a stereo pair picking up a combo of the band itself and the vocals from the minimal PA system. Being able to take a split off of the vocal line would be very useful and one of these two channel line level splitters looks like it should work. Anybody know otherwise?

Thanks


Steve
lex125@pacbell.net
www.lexington125.com

[Fuzzy Logic]

if you install a half normalled bay for the channels in question, you can have the stuff go to the ADC then patch to the mixer via the monitor side of the halfnormal bay's jack just like a "Y" cord.

[fross]

I have the Coleman M3PH. Eventhough it has multiple outs, the buttons only allow (1) output at a time. Besides, I would consider it a pricey "splitter".

If I use a patchbay and half normalize, will I lose any of the signal? Are there any other problems associated with splitting the signal this way? I'd like to keep the signal as hot as possible.

And If I want to split the signal more than once, who makes a clean one, with transformers I suppose. I'm hearing that the Lundahl and Jensens are much better than the Whirlwind.

[hollywood_steve]

I have the Coleman M3PH. Eventhough it has multiple outs, the buttons only allow (1) output at a time. Besides, I would consider it a pricey "splitter".
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Oh well..............., the ProCo allows all outputs to function at once (or any combo thereof...) and I agree it only makes finacial sense if you already have one lying around already



steve
lex125@pacbell.net

[Remoteness]

Originally posted by fross
...If I use a patchbay and half normalize, will I lose any of the signal? Are there any other problems associated with splitting the signal this way? I'd like to keep the signal as hot as possible.

And If I want to split the signal more than once, who makes a clean one, with transformers I suppose. I'm hearing that the Lundahl and Jensens are much better than the Whirlwind.

Fross, we do this every day with no problems. Using a patchbay with half normalize jacks is how we do it. You will not lose any signal unless there's an impedence mismatch with the gear you are bridging.

Remember, there will be signal loss on the secondary side when using transformers. Not sure why you want to spend the bread for that when you don't really need it. You may need it if the power source is different for the two units you're attaching together, but in most cases (when proper wiring is in place) you're looking good without them.

If you want really hot signals, have you considered line drivers?

In this situation, I believe transformers is not the way to go for this. Whirlwind has a "Jensen" spec transformer. Not too expensive, but a good old "Y" cord (or half normalled jack field) is the better way to go. It's cheaper too.

[fross]

Originally posted by Remoteness
Fross, we do this every day with no problems. Using a patchbay with half normalize jacks is how we do it. You will not lose any signal unless there's an impedence mismatch with the gear you are bridging.

In this situation, I believe transformers is not the way to go for this. Whirlwind has a "Jensen" spec transformer. Not too expensive, but a good old "Y" cord (or half normalled jack field) is the better way to go. It's cheaper too.

Remoteness,
Point well taken. Iwill definitely try your approach first.
Thanks

[De chromium cob]

Originally posted by fross
Remoteness,
Point well taken. Iwill definitely try your approach first.
Thanks

Yeah, why didnt I think of that?