Is it a splitter that I need?

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:22 am

Just to have as an option, I'd like to try and record my guitar direct AND through an amp simultaneously.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:29 am

You could do that, or you could go straight into your board and then use an aux send to go to your amp and mic that. I think...

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:38 am

Hmmm.

Let me just add some info for clarity.

I have two mic preamps, my plan would be to use one to record direct and the other to use for the mic on the amp into two channels on my DAW.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:07 am

If your planing to plug you GTR directly into a mic pre-amp you may want to consider a DI box. The DI box coverts the GTR's high impedance output to a low impedance source that the microphone input wants to see.

A DI box usally also have a direct out suitable for running a GTR amp input. So it will be you splitter too.

I have a Radial JDI and quite happy with it.
http://www.radialeng.com/di-jdi.htm

Other popular DI's include:
Country man
http://www.countryman.com/store/product.asp?id=52&catid=10
Avalon U5
http://www.zzounds.com/item--AVAU5

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:27 am

Thanks Link. I like Radials stuff. Sorry for being stupid, but I can't tell if this will work like I'm thinking...unless my thinking is wrong which is completely possible.

It seems to me that I need ONE 1/4" input into a splitter/DI and TWO 1/4" outputs...one to the mic pre and the other to the front of my amp.

Maybe the JDI duplex is the way to go?

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:28 am

We have 1 cheapass passive DI with an Input, Balanced Out and a Link Out on it...
A proper DI should act as a splitter.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:32 am

Ah, so wait....I would go 1/4" IN with my guitar, then XLR OUT to the mic pre for direct and 1/4" OUT to the front of the amp?

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:38 am

Yeah. And mic the amp, obviously. Mic'ing the DI won't get much usable sound.
How I'd do it anyway...I'd imagine most DIs have a Link/Direct Out as well.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:01 am

I had to re-adjust my thinking because usually when I record direct I just plug straight into the front of the pre with a 1/4" from my guitar. I've never (obviously) thought about taking an XLR from a DI.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:52 am

Chances are your interface may handle the impedance conversion for you. What Interface are you using?

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:09 am

Link555 wrote:

Chances are your interface may handle the impedance conversion for you. What Interface are you using?

Duet

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:10 pm

Yes you do have a line input. Hi Z means high impedance.

So yes a Y type splitter is all you would need.

However if you have noise issues, the Y cable can not isolate mic inputs from it.

In Y cable you are connecting all the three circuit commons (current return paths) together. So they will all share the same noise. Often a guitar amp will have a fair amount of noise on its common. A PC can also so have a noisy common bus from its switching power supply. By using a Y cable you are essentially connecting these possible noise sources together. These noise sources can wiggle your guitars common, making the guitar signal noisy.

That’s why I would suggest you invest an isolating DI box; it will make your life easier in the long run.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:12 pm

Makes perfect sense, thank you.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:47 pm

wow can you send your response to my wife, lol

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:54 pm

Link555 wrote:

wow can you send response to my wife, lol

HA!

This topic sponsored by: