How do I plug in multiple guitars? (live not recording)

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mjbphotos

mjbphotos

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My amp only has 1 input jack (and stereo one in the back that bypasses the preamp).

I need to be able to plug in at least 2 (preferably 3) guitars and a keyboard. Only 1 instrument will be played at a time (by me). I really need to be able to do this to prevent constant cable changing during a set. Right now in the 1st of tunes the band is working on I play acoustic 6 string for 16 songs, 12 string acoustic for 1, exctric for 2 and keyboard for 1. The next sets promise more changes. I understand that the various instruments will have different signal strengths, hopefully, I can adjust for that with a mixer's controls (as well as the instrument volume controls.

I have a big Mackie mixer, but it's overkill, and only offers 1 instrument-in channel, so I would still need to keep changing cables for each guitar change.
I tried using a 1/4" headphone splitter, but the volume control needs to be up on both guitars for either to work.

My thought was to use my Tascam US800 - it has 2 instrument-in jacks in front, plus the rear line-ins for the keyboard, but someone suggested that the dual-jacks (XLR/1/4") on the front panel are not very sturdy and will soon wear out so that the 1/4' parts don't make good contact.

I saw this NADY mixer (nice cheap price) but wonder if its really a piece of crap. I saw this mixer at Sweetwater (I trust them a lot more).

This can't be the first time someone has wanted to do this - no everyone has a guitar tech on stage to swap out cables each change-out!
 
You could use 2 A/B boxes which would give you 4 inputs and 2 outputs. Then run the 2 outs into a Y jack and into the front of the amp.
 
Are you handy with a soldering iron? You could cobble together a box with as many inputs as you need and a switch to a common output.
 
A/B or 'cobbled' together box is not going to give me control on the volumes. The keyboard is going to be LOUD compared to the guitars because its a Line signal, I can compensate somewhat with the keyboard volume control, of course.
 
mjbphotos said:
'cobbled' together box is not going to give me control on the volumes.
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what about just putting a few trim pots in there?

If it were me though, I'd just DI the keys and swap the guitars the old fashioned way between songs. Only really takes a few seconds...
 
DOD 240 Line Mixer
They have 'em on eBay all the time. I have one for that very reason.
Keeps my volume matched.
 
Keyboard outputs are usually not that hot. Maybe you can just run it lower and get by.

Many guitars will need a very high impedance load to sound right. A mixer may not provide that. You could get active direct boxes for each instrument to get them into a mixer. The mixer's output might be okay into the amp or you might want a reamp box to make the connection.
 
Yeah, its the whole impedance load thing I'm not sure about. Are you saying that plugging guitars into one of those mixer boxes (whether its powered or not) is going to screw with the impedance as the amp sees it?

No comments from anyone regarding the input jacks on the US800? I know IT works for plugging guitars into.
 
Do the acoustic guitars all have preamps in them with a volume control? if so, the best solution would be to go the dual a/b box route as someone suggested, you should be able to get a desireable level from the keys with the volume on the keys itself, if you do not, I would run the keys through a DI box that has a gain control on it as well, or better yet a volume pedal and then feed the a/b box. Now, all this being said - I would get an ABC box from Morely, as you will need to occupy one input of it with the output of another A/B box which is inputted with your keys and one guitar. the remaining 2 inputs on the ABC can house the other 2 guitars - then you have the one out from the ABC going to your amp. And last - if the acoustic guitars do not have volume controls, then I would go the seperate mixer route as it will not drastically change anything, but I am pretty big on not having any more gain stages in my signal path than needed, just more potential for noise. This is alot of configuring, but will work, and you will not color your tone by going through another mixer if that is your concern. I know this is kind of lenghtly, and I hope makes sense, but will and does work, been there done that. Hope this helps
 
mjbphotos said:
Yeah, its the whole impedance load thing I'm not sure about. Are you saying that plugging guitars into one of those mixer boxes (whether its powered or not) is going to screw with the impedance as the amp sees it?
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The way the mixer loads the pickup will affect the signal produced. Once that happens in the mixer it gets passed on the the amp as is.

mjbphotos said:
No comments from anyone regarding the input jacks on the US800? I know IT works for plugging guitars into.
Click to expand...

Notice they say Mic/Inst In. That means the 1/4" inputs are at least fairly high impedance. But 1/4" inputs aren't all the same. They can be mic, line, instrument or even speaker connections. Some mixers might sound okay with a guitar plugged straight into them, but a passive mixer almost certainly won't because it takes active circuitry to get high impedance. For many guitar pickups you need 10 megohm or more and most mixer 1/4" inputs are in the 10 kilohm range.
 
I like the idea of the morley abc, with lights, but one review says it 'pops' whenever you step on a switch. It's also $90. plus another A/B, plus a tangle of cables on the floor.
 
mjbphotos said:
I like the idea of the morley abc, with lights, but one review says it 'pops' whenever you step on a switch. It's also $90. plus another A/B, plus a tangle of cables on the floor.
Click to expand...

I have not had any pop issues, however I have read where if you try to use it at the end of an effects chain or something where higher gain is feeding it, (like when routing a single signal chain to multiple amps via the switcher) it will pop, as will any switching device. The cables are a definite genuine concern, would definitely need to be something where you pre-wired it, set it up on your pedalboard, or whatever you prefer. Definitely would get into a bit of a pricey setup now that you mention it. The mixer idea, or the DOD line mixer as mentioned earlier may be a great way to go and more cost effective. I normally do not encourage this, but at worst you can order a small mixer from somewhere with a great return policy and try it out.. if it works like you want it to then great, if not, you are only out return shipping. You may be very well satisfied with that.
 
Got it, about $30 inculding shipping - cheaper alternative than the Art or Nady mixers, so hope it works!
 
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