Proper way to split Mic signal ?

Q & A on technical issues concerning music equipment, electronics, sound, recording, computers, gaming, the internet, etc.

Moderators: Ron, Jim Price

Post Reply
User avatar
tonefight
Diamond Member
Diamond Member
Posts: 1409
Joined: Wednesday May 14, 2003
Location: Ebensburg
Contact:

Proper way to split Mic signal ?

Post by tonefight »

I'm looking to split mic signals for a seperate monitor mix and to the main snake. What's the best way to do this ? I got a Y cable to try but figure there are going to be other factors like phantom power ( used for drummers headset mic ).
Don't bitch to me about the economy while you're still buying Chinese products.
f.sciarrillo
Diamond Member
Diamond Member
Posts: 6990
Joined: Thursday Oct 28, 2004
Location: Not here ..

Post by f.sciarrillo »

I would say to go with something like this -> http://www.guitarcenter.com/ART-SplitCo ... =439924856

It would be the safest way to go. It also passes phantom power. Then that is just me.
Music Rocks!
User avatar
Craven Sound
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 695
Joined: Wednesday Aug 06, 2003
Location: Cambria County, PA

Post by Craven Sound »

Y adapter will work fine, especially for phantom. Just make sure you only have the phantom on in one place or the other.
User avatar
tonefight
Diamond Member
Diamond Member
Posts: 1409
Joined: Wednesday May 14, 2003
Location: Ebensburg
Contact:

Post by tonefight »

Craven Sound wrote:Y adapter will work fine, especially for phantom. Just make sure you only have the phantom on in one place or the other.
Cool thanks........... Ah what would happen if phantom was on on both mixers ? I never looked into phantom power much, is it AC or DC ? if its DC i'd think no big deal but if its AC and the mixers are plugged into different outlets on different phases of the building power things could get messy ?
Don't bitch to me about the economy while you're still buying Chinese products.
User avatar
Craven Sound
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 695
Joined: Wednesday Aug 06, 2003
Location: Cambria County, PA

Post by Craven Sound »

It's +48v DC. It's likely nothing will happen, but some consoles may not like the voltage on the mic input when the console's internal PS isn't supplying it. So you're better off just using one or the other.
User avatar
lonewolf
Diamond Member
Diamond Member
Posts: 6249
Joined: Thursday Sep 25, 2003
Location: Anywhere, Earth
Contact:

Post by lonewolf »

Aside from a simple Y cable:

If you are doing it with more than one mic, you might consider getting a monitor mixer with send/thru connections to go to the main.

If you are doing that for IEMs, some IEMs like the Shure PSM 200 already have that rigging.

Last but not least, there are little boxes called personal monitor mixers that you may want to look at.
...Oh, the freedom of the day that yielded to no rule or time...
LHSL
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Wednesday May 31, 2006
Location: Johnstown
Contact:

Post by LHSL »

I have a 32 channel split snake for sale. Otherwise, Y cables will work. You can only use Y cables to split a signal though, never to combine.

As others have said use phantom on only one console (industry standard is to use phantom on the monitor console because it's closer to the stage (usually).

You might want to make a few pin-1 (ground) lifts to combat any buzz or hum.
"Turn it down!"
"What?"
User avatar
songsmith
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 6108
Joined: Monday Dec 09, 2002
Location: The Wood of Bells

Post by songsmith »

I've always found Y cables to be too problematic, especially if unsupervised, or not intimately familiar. I like the isolation of a transformer, so I'd get a mic-split box, if possible. YMMV.
Post Reply