MIC level signal splitter

[airborne50caliber]

Does anyone know of a device that will split a mic-level signal without apmplyfing it in any way so I can record it through different pre-amps at the same time?

[kevbud187]

NO cuz if you are going to split the signal and then want to remain at the same level you'd need to amp it.
Reason: Your split signals will be half the amplitude of the intact signal so the signal must be normalized or double in amplitude.

The only way i could think of is using an amp to Normalize before spliting that way signals are at normal volume, but you dont have to amp post split.

TO answer your question. NO An amp must be used along the way if you want to retain signal strenght.

Props on your method of using parallel pre-amps with (hopeful) differnet singal results to make a cool effect. Never thought of that myself. I would just double track.

[airborne50caliber]

Yeah I was going to use an ART valve along with a mic200 and maybe the IMP preamp in my desk, if I could split the signal into three. You have a point about the amplification - alternatively, is it possible to split the signal so that when I connect the splitter output to the preamp, the signal appearing there is exactly the same in quality and amplitude as if I had connected the mic to it directly?

[Aus_rock_god]

DI unit dude. It's powered, so you won't lose any signal, in theory...

[airborne50caliber]

No man, a DI unit takes a Hi-z jack signal.

[Moseph]

NO cuz if you are going to split the signal and then want to remain at the same level you'd need to amp it.
Reason: Your split signals will be half the amplitude of the intact signal so the signal must be normalized or double in amplitude.

The only way i could think of is using an amp to Normalize before spliting that way signals are at normal volume, but you dont have to amp post split.

TO answer your question. NO An amp must be used along the way if you want to retain signal strenght.

Props on your method of using parallel pre-amps with (hopeful) differnet singal results to make a cool effect. Never thought of that myself. I would just double track.

You've got a sort of correct answer here, but in actually it's a bit flawed.

If you split a signal two ways, you're actually fine. Think of it in terms of voltage, and you'll undestand it. The voltage drop across the loads is the same, so more current is simply generated (provided you don't attempt to draw more current than is providable by your input voltage source: then you're basically spot on).

That being said, check these out:

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=5&TempID=6&STRID=123128&Method=0&CategoryID=0&BrandID=1580&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=0&pagesize=10&SortMethod=3&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=SEARCH&GroupCode=

I've used these a number of times, they work really well.

Also:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SplitCom/

These are cheaper, but they have fewer outputs, and I have no experience with them.

The decision is yours I guess.

[kevbud187]

You've got a sort of correct answer here, but in actually it's a bit flawed.
If you split a signal two ways, you're actually fine. Think of it in terms of voltage, and you'll undestand it. The voltage drop across the loads is the same, so more current is simply generated (provided you don't attempt to draw more current than is providable by your input voltage source: then you're basically spot on).

That being said, check these out:

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=5&TempID=6&STRID=123128&Method=0&CategoryID=0&BrandID=1580&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=0&pagesize=10&SortMethod=3&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=SEARCH&GroupCode=

I've used these a number of times, they work really well.

Also:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SplitCom/

These are cheaper, but they have fewer outputs, and I have no experience with them.

The decision is yours I guess.
I think we are both right and its combonation of the both of em

[airborne50caliber]

Thanks mos, couldn't display the first page but that ART splitcom thing looks like exactly what I need.

[Moseph]

It's supposed to point to a Whirlwind 1x3 Splitter. A google search should turn one up. That's 1 input with 3 outputs (all XLR connections). I think you said you needed that exactly.

[Moseph]

I think we are both right and its combonation of the both of em

Right. But we're talking about different scenarios. I'm discussing normal conditions and you're discussing conditions where the power output is maxed out. I've never come across a situation where splitting the signal caused the extra power requirement to be higher than what I could provide. That's the only situation where an amp is definitely needed. If you consider transformer processes, you can also bypass things in that situation as well, which I believe is how those passive devices work.

[diesel]

Hmm, here's a thought, does your mixer have a direct out? or maybe an FX insert?

[airborne50caliber]

Yeah diesel but by the time the signal reaches there it is line level, already pre-amped and coloured by the mixer.