how to split mono to stereo, maintaining levels?
 

I'm working with a Sony DSR45A DV deck and I want to be able to dub to a DVD recorder (with 2 RCA in for audio). Video is no problem but the regular audio outputs on the Sony deck are in use by other equipment that I can't loop back from to the DVD recorder. The DV out from the deck is also already taken. [EDIT -- actually the deck *has no* stereo pair of RCA outs, but it does have XLR outs I can use]

Now the deck has monitor audio out, but it allows only a single RCA cable. I don't mind losing stereo seperation but this poses a problem.

When recording from the deck to recorder I must either
record to only one (L or R) audio channel on the recorder or
split the audio and have much quieter audio than is on the source.

I don't like either of these options. Is there a good + fairly cheap way to split to 2 channels retaining the original volume on the DV tape before feeding it to the recorder?


Thanks,

Shayne Weyker
http://weykervideo.com

What is the regular audio out from deck hooked up to?
I'm assuming you are using analog video out from deck, and you also want to use analog audio from deck to DVD recorder. A small mixer could be useful to split the audio for you.
OR, if your DVD recorder has a Firewire input, use that for audio+video from the deck if it has a firewire connector.

I actually was wrong before about the regular stereo outs being used by something else. The deck has zero RCA outputs other than the single mono one for monitor. Before I came in the only output from the deck used was via firewire to the PC.

The deck does however have 4 unused XLR audio outs (ch 1-4, which we only use 1&2). These XLR are +4dbu (600 ohms balanced).

I alrady have RCA wires going to the DVD recorder, so someone please point me to the right
XLR-female->RCA-female adapter and in-line
attenuator to get the signal to line level and I'll be set.

Thanks,

Shayne Weyker

Theoretically you need -12dB of attenuation, but attenuators are hard to find other than at multiples of -10dB

This would plug into the deck: Female XLR to male XLR attenuator, -10 dB (close enough):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Line_XLR.html

And this would plug into the above attenuator.
Female XLR to female RCA:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...le_RCA_to.html

If you don't mind a few more bucks, this is a more versatile attenuator to have in your kit (I have two of them):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ttenuator.html