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440 Forums _ Accessories and Lutherie _ Powered Line-input Signal Splitter?

Posted by: Wilko Mon 20 Feb 2006, 00:44

Hey, hey. I was wondering if there existed some kind of box, that split an incoming signal from a 1/4 jack into multiple 1/4 ouputs. So basically, a box that routes an input from a guitar to multiple outputs, but powered, so the signal is identical as possible through each output.

I'm trying to find something like this because I want to run my guitar through my pod XT into my Firepod, and also have the same signal going through to a seperate amp, which will be mic'd, also going into the firepod... so basically I want to record a real amp with my mic one track, as well as having an emulated mic'ing on another track going through the Pod XT. Hope I didn't over complicate that.

Guitar Out ------> Splitter input --->

Splitter Out 1- Pod XT ----> FirePod

Splitter Out 2 - Amp (which is mic'd) ---> FirePod

In essence, the same idea as a headphone signal splitter (shown below), only for a guitar signal.

http://nav.440network.com/out.php?mmsc=forums&url=http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/2/1/5/240215.jpg

Posted by: monkeyboy23 Mon 20 Feb 2006, 01:16

check out http://nav.440network.com/out.php?mmsc=forums&url=http://www.axess-electronics.com/ and look at the BS2

Radial also makes some DI boxes that do what you describe. www.radialeng.com

Posted by: Wilko Mon 20 Feb 2006, 02:17

A lot pricier then I thought it would be.

No cheaper alternatives? I could just use a non-powered splitter connection, which I have, and turn the outputs up twice as high on the pod and amp? I'm guessing it would divide the signal in half. Would there be any effects on the quality of the signal?

I'm thinking there must be a better way to do this.

Posted by: cornutt Mon 20 Feb 2006, 20:22

$135?!? You can buy a small 4- or 6-channel mixer for less than that. For instance:

http://nav.440network.com/out.php?mmsc=forums&url=http://www.audiomidi.com/UB802-EuroRack--P3141.aspx

Posted by: Wilko Mon 20 Feb 2006, 20:24

I have a crappy mixer like that already too, i was just worried it would degrade sound quality.

Posted by: jce44 Mon 20 Feb 2006, 21:01

Hi Wilko, I was very intrigued with your question. Newbie myself... to digital recording anyway.

DI (or direct) boxes can be had for under $70, and they come in many diff configs, alowing you to use different cables/connects and even control the signal levels. There's too many options to mention. Passive, active,... Higher quality with more options will equal more bucks.

Doesn't your PODxt have 2 out jacks? (L & R @ +4dBU [balanced 1/4" TRS] OR @ -10 dBV [unbalanced 1/4" TR] ) I looked up the specs, but I'm not sure how it splits these off? Must be "L", Left channel & "R" Right channel, mono to stereo?

And what kind of "separate" amp do you have and does it have multiple inputs? Maybe one of these inputs would allow you to connect one of the PODxt outs (at the appropriate signal level) to it?

You may be able to get by with just a "Y" cable, but yes, you'll lose 1/2 or 3 dB of your signal strength. You also may be able to compensate for the signal loss by tweaking your amp gear.

The issue is, your guitar output is High Z, unbalanced (no ground) at whatever? level your pickups and guitar gain controls provide, and both your PODxt and the "regular" guitar input on your amplifier requires that signal level. If you "Y" the signal AFTER your PODxt (check out the Op's manual on "What am I connecting to?", can you tweak the level out to impedance match the Amp's IN jack needs?

And then there's the FirePOD. It has many possible connections at diff levels. Is ther any way to loop one of these back?

just asking....
Thanks

Posted by: mortalengines Tue 21 Feb 2006, 03:57

The Radial stuff is pricey but worth every penny. Their stuff is built like Tanks. Will work for decades.

Posted by: Wilko Tue 21 Feb 2006, 04:03

I believe it would be possible to plug 1 input into the firebox, and have it go through multiple outputs to create a loop... I'll have to look into that.

I've tried splitting through the PodXT, and it worked fairly well. You can put it on a clean signal, and route 1 input directly into the firepod, and then have the other signal travel to a mic'd amp. That's 1 solution, except now I can't really use any cool amp models on the pod without them effecting both channels... Decisions, decisions.

Posted by: HaraldSchneller Wed 25 Jun 2008, 15:13

The new millenium is just that, the digital one.
Take a Stealth Plug or any other cheap A/D device and set up multiple audio tracks in Logic, et al.
Still hungry? An Axon AX 50 USB combined with a Roland piezo PU will open the world of AU's.
It may take a while to understand how a DAW works, but then you will find yourself on the road again with a guitar case in one hand, a bag for a foot controller and a computer on your shoulder, a suitcase for clothes on the other.
Hop on a train and bring back some money DJ's have taken from us, the musicians