Splitting xlr cable..

[preben]

I would like to elaborate on my zero latency scenario for tracking with into a DAW. At the moment I am using my Greatriver preamp's unbalanced out to go into an analogue mixer that I use only for monitoring.

This works fine BUT sometimes (often) I go through a UA-1176 (reissue) and when doing so ideally I would like to monitor the output of the 1176 rather than just the preamp on its own.

The 1176 obviously doesn't have two parallel outs for this purpose, so is there a way of splitting the balanced signal that comes out of the 1176 into two - one hitting the A/D and one hitting the mixer- without causing any 'damage' to the signal..??

Is running the 1176 through the insert-point of the GR an option..?? I would prefer not doing this as it would be more useful to me to have a zero-latency setup that I could use with other preamps that don't have an insert point.

[fross]

I encountered the same issue a year ago. After many discussions on this forum, I considered:

Y-cables
active and passive line splitters with transformers etc.

Though I have (2) professional grade patchbays from Audio Accessories, I bought an inexpensive Neutrik patchabay, and set it up to split balanced signals into (2) and it works beautifully, without noise or significant signal degradation.

http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--NTKNYSSPPL

[preben]

Thanks for the response. That sounds great. I'd really like to hear the 1176 while I am tracking.

Do you know exactly how I would emulate that with plugs rather than a patchbay..? I only need to split the one signal so it seems a bit OTT to have a patchbay to do that.

I mean, a patchbay like that IS completely passive isn't it..? So I should be able to do the same thing mechanically just by soldering some plugs, right..?? Or am I barking up the wrong tree here..??

[fross]

Y-cable

[preben]

so if I just wire myself a Y-cable then everything is good and there should be no loss from the original source...??? It's almost TO obvious