Rack mixer with direct outs or Y-Adapter?

jodawo · 29th April 2011

I'm am looking to take the insert output of a rack mounted Alesis MultiMix 12r and split it with an y-adapter to have one signal going to a recording interface and one signal going back into the mixer for monitoring purposes.

For clarity, there will be two y-adapters in this setup...

A (TRS male to dual TS female) which is used for the send an return of the insert I/O and

B (TS male to dual TS male) which will split the send from adapter A to the recording interface and back to the return of adapter A.

The goal is to be able to create multiple headphone mixes for members of a band playing at once (the Alesis has two aux sends, so it will allow me to to do this) and also to keep a mobile multitrack recording setup streamlined by housing everything in the rack case.

Will there be any loss of signal quality using the y-adapters (specifically adapter B)?

Is there a better way to accomplish this with a budget of $600?

A rackmount mixer such as the StudioMaster 162BPX with direct outs would work, but unfortunately I can't find a dealer in the US. I've also though about using a half normal patchbay, but, once in place, I'd like to keep the wiring fairly static, and it seems with the patchbay I would have to use the front outputs to route to the audio interface, which would not allow me to close the front panel of the case.

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

jodawo · 29th April 2011

any thoughts, comments, one liners?

wintaper · 29th April 2011

Looking at the photo - the only inserts I see are on the channels. Are you looking to tap a single channel?

Why not just take the RCA outs or y-split the 1/4 main outs to record?

wintaper · 29th April 2011

If you are looking to multitrack via the inserts, this adapter will turn an insert jack into an unbalanced out...

Phono Plug to 1/4" Stereo Phone Jack Adapter - RadioShack.com

musicguitar · 29th April 2011

Transformer Isolated Split.... ART S8. Great for doing splitting signals cheap but good quality. If you look at the remote recording page on this website you'll find that it's a common place to use these for splitting signals without degradation of quality.

jodawo · 30th April 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicguitar

Transformer Isolated Split.... ART S8. Great for doing splitting signals cheap but good quality. If you look at the remote recording page on this website you'll find that it's a common place to use these for splitting signals without degradation of quality.

Thank you for the tip. I'll have to check that out.

29th April 2011	#1
jodawo Gear interested Joined: Jun 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 25 Thread Starter	Rack mixer with direct outs or Y-Adapter? I'm am looking to take the insert output of a rack mounted Alesis MultiMix 12r and split it with an y-adapter to have one signal going to a recording interface and one signal going back into the mixer for monitoring purposes. For clarity, there will be two y-adapters in this setup... A (TRS male to dual TS female) which is used for the send an return of the insert I/O and B (TS male to dual TS male) which will split the send from adapter A to the recording interface and back to the return of adapter A. The goal is to be able to create multiple headphone mixes for members of a band playing at once (the Alesis has two aux sends, so it will allow me to to do this) and also to keep a mobile multitrack recording setup streamlined by housing everything in the rack case. Will there be any loss of signal quality using the y-adapters (specifically adapter B)? Is there a better way to accomplish this with a budget of $600? A rackmount mixer such as the StudioMaster 162BPX with direct outs would work, but unfortunately I can't find a dealer in the US. I've also though about using a half normal patchbay, but, once in place, I'd like to keep the wiring fairly static, and it seems with the patchbay I would have to use the front outputs to route to the audio interface, which would not allow me to close the front panel of the case. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

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29th April 2011	#3
wintaper Gear Head Joined: May 2010 Posts: 36	Looking at the photo - the only inserts I see are on the channels. Are you looking to tap a single channel? Why not just take the RCA outs or y-split the 1/4 main outs to record?

29th April 2011	#5
musicguitar Gear addict Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 306	Transformer Isolated Split.... ART S8. Great for doing splitting signals cheap but good quality. If you look at the remote recording page on this website you'll find that it's a common place to use these for splitting signals without degradation of quality.