Microphone xlr splitter at DVinfo.net

Noa Put · February 13th, 2017, 12:12 PM

I sometimes have to shoot in venues where they have build in xlr connectors in the walls to connect a microphone with xlr cable and I have no way to connect to the venues mixer free output to record the audio, they only thing left to do is to set up a large lightstand with a shotgun connected to a audiorecorder pointed towards the soundspeaker which are mounted high against the ceiling.

I am watching a workshop where the videographer talked about a microphone splitter which allowed him to plug the mike into the splitter and then go out to the venues mixer and to his audiorecorder to record the sound which sounded like a great way to bypass problems I have getting a direct feed.

What type of splitter would I need to accomplish this, would this do?: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._Combiner.html

Jay Massengill · February 13th, 2017, 12:43 PM

Yes, that should work. I have a Rolls MS20c but haven't had an opportunity to test it.

The ART model costs less, looks less complicated and gets better reviews.

So without having heard either one, I'd say get the ART.

However, if this is important to you, the Rolls is supposed to have an actual transformer for isolation.

There is a claim made in the ART review section that there isn't a transformer inside that box.

The Rolls will pass phantom power to one mic if that is needed.

Gary Nattrass · February 13th, 2017, 12:46 PM

Yes that will do the job and I have those splitters myself as well as the transformer version that can also take a line level signal with the inbuit pad: https://www.studiospares.com/Microph...ter_325690.htm

You can do it with just a cable splitter but if you are going to interface with other people's equipment it is also good to have the feed isolated and the ability to lift the grounding or earth to prevent earth looping hum.

Noa Put · February 13th, 2017, 03:07 PM

Thx, so hoping you could walk me through this as my audio experience level is like very limited, I found the ART Prosplit Mic Splitter in a local shop so that's good as I don't want to order abroad.

If I want use this device then microphone input is where I plugin the mike but then you have "direct microphone output" and transformer isolated microphone output", which of these 2 goes to the mixer of the venue and which one should I use to connect my tascam dr40 to to record the sound?

Also, what does "input pad" do and when should I use "lift" and "gnd" on the groundswitch, do I set it to lift when I hear a "earth looping hum"?

Also, if the mike that is used needs power, does the ART Prosplit Mic Splitter pass phantom power?

Gary Nattrass · February 13th, 2017, 03:17 PM

Yes you plug the mic into the input and then the main direct output goes to the mixer that is doing the event etc. This will also pass phantom power if required to the mic.

You take the isolated output and feed this to your Tascam, if you hear a loud hum press the ground lift switch and it should take the earth off the feed to you recorder although this tends to happen more if both mixer and recorder are connected to the mains so you end up with dual earthing.

The phase reverse should not really be needed and is more useful if you are combining two mic's and feeding them out and the input pad is needed if you are taking a line level feed from a mixer output etc as it drops the level by 30db to make it more mic level.

Noa Put · February 13th, 2017, 03:25 PM

Thx a lot for the info, much appreciated.

Rick Reineke · February 15th, 2017, 10:44 AM

"If I want use this device then microphone input is where I plugin the mike but then you have "direct microphone output" and transformer isolated microphone output", which of these 2 goes to the mixer of the venue and which one should I use to connect my tascam dr40 to to record the sound?
-The direct out should go to the mixer that supplies Phantom Power. If it's a non-powered mic, It should not matter... though the transformer leg usually filters the LF some..

"IAlso, what does "input pad" do and when should I use "lift" and "gnd" on the ground switch, do I set it to lift when I hear a "earth looping hum"?"
- A pad is usually not needed with a spoken word mic>mic level input and most mic splitters do not have that option anyway. Yes, lift the ground if there's a ground loop (50-60Hz hum).

February 13th, 2017, 12:12 PM	#1
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Microphone xlr splitter I sometimes have to shoot in venues where they have build in xlr connectors in the walls to connect a microphone with xlr cable and I have no way to connect to the venues mixer free output to record the audio, they only thing left to do is to set up a large lightstand with a shotgun connected to a audiorecorder pointed towards the soundspeaker which are mounted high against the ceiling. I am watching a workshop where the videographer talked about a microphone splitter which allowed him to plug the mike into the splitter and then go out to the venues mixer and to his audiorecorder to record the sound which sounded like a great way to bypass problems I have getting a direct feed. What type of splitter would I need to accomplish this, would this do?: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._Combiner.html

February 13th, 2017, 12:43 PM	#2
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Microphone xlr splitter Yes, that should work. I have a Rolls MS20c but haven't had an opportunity to test it. The ART model costs less, looks less complicated and gets better reviews. So without having heard either one, I'd say get the ART. However, if this is important to you, the Rolls is supposed to have an actual transformer for isolation. There is a claim made in the ART review section that there isn't a transformer inside that box. The Rolls will pass phantom power to one mic if that is needed.

February 13th, 2017, 12:46 PM	#3
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Re: Microphone xlr splitter Yes that will do the job and I have those splitters myself as well as the transformer version that can also take a line level signal with the inbuit pad: https://www.studiospares.com/Microph...ter_325690.htm You can do it with just a cable splitter but if you are going to interface with other people's equipment it is also good to have the feed isolated and the ability to lift the grounding or earth to prevent earth looping hum. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

February 13th, 2017, 03:07 PM	#4
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Microphone xlr splitter Thx, so hoping you could walk me through this as my audio experience level is like very limited, I found the ART Prosplit Mic Splitter in a local shop so that's good as I don't want to order abroad. If I want use this device then microphone input is where I plugin the mike but then you have "direct microphone output" and transformer isolated microphone output", which of these 2 goes to the mixer of the venue and which one should I use to connect my tascam dr40 to to record the sound? Also, what does "input pad" do and when should I use "lift" and "gnd" on the groundswitch, do I set it to lift when I hear a "earth looping hum"? Also, if the mike that is used needs power, does the ART Prosplit Mic Splitter pass phantom power?

February 13th, 2017, 03:17 PM	#5
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Re: Microphone xlr splitter Yes you plug the mic into the input and then the main direct output goes to the mixer that is doing the event etc. This will also pass phantom power if required to the mic. You take the isolated output and feed this to your Tascam, if you hear a loud hum press the ground lift switch and it should take the earth off the feed to you recorder although this tends to happen more if both mixer and recorder are connected to the mains so you end up with dual earthing. The phase reverse should not really be needed and is more useful if you are combining two mic's and feeding them out and the input pad is needed if you are taking a line level feed from a mixer output etc as it drops the level by 30db to make it more mic level. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

February 13th, 2017, 03:25 PM	#6
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Microphone xlr splitter Thx a lot for the info, much appreciated.

February 15th, 2017, 10:44 AM	#7
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Microphone xlr splitter "If I want use this device then microphone input is where I plugin the mike but then you have "direct microphone output" and transformer isolated microphone output", which of these 2 goes to the mixer of the venue and which one should I use to connect my tascam dr40 to to record the sound? -The direct out should go to the mixer that supplies Phantom Power. If it's a non-powered mic, It should not matter... though the transformer leg usually filters the LF some.. "IAlso, what does "input pad" do and when should I use "lift" and "gnd" on the ground switch, do I set it to lift when I hear a "earth looping hum"?" - A pad is usually not needed with a spoken word mic>mic level input and most mic splitters do not have that option anyway. Yes, lift the ground if there's a ground loop (50-60Hz hum).