I recently made a "split-patch-panel" for my studio and I talked to a skilled tech before doing it, asking the same question as you are now. The answer was you don´t need an active splitter. You can make splits just by connecting ground-ground, hot-hot and cold-cold. In fact most studios have "multijacks" in the patch which often is a signal split to four just the same way.

/Marcus

I forgot... If you´re splitting AFTER the micpres the above procedure is fine. If you´re splitting the actual miccable to two different pres then you´ll need an active device.

Ok, I see. So, if it's OK for the mixing engineer, I can take the signal from the insertpoints in the mixer and then make a passive split?

Can´t see why it should not work.

hmmm,

would splitting the guitar into two DI boxes ( active) work as a splitter if one wanted to compare two mic pres on one signal?

would i need active spilt after a pre, to test two compressors?

is there a way of splitting using a patchbay and 1/2 normalizing ?

thanks
SI

Look the original question here was about splitting MICs
but I'll try to cover everything at once.

Y-cords can work but there are traps to fall into.

Don't split a guitar cable.
An active DI box and then use the Y-cord

Mic-pre - Y-cord two comps.

Remember :
... what I have said can work and can fail.
The Y-cord or patchbay split etc ... will double terminate and it can depend on output and the two inputs as to how this will end up.

There are some units that just WILL NOT drive two 600 ohms (300 ohms) correctly.
Two bridging inputs or >10k is an easy job.

This is just like power amps and 8ohm and 4 ohm and 2 ohm speaker systems.

As for Mics ... dynamic 58s and 57s on drum kits and electric guitar amps can work and I have split three ways in the past.

Beware trouble with double phantom volts and earth loops etc ....

need more info to give a detailed answer ...

good luck