"splitting"-one output to two...

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cellardweller

cellardweller

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"splitting"-one output to two, from my pedal to my two amps?

I know I could get a stereo chorus, but I had one, way back when, and it was extremely noisy.

So what is the best, cleanest, and if at all possible, cheapest way to split my output from my stomp box to two outputs to run into two different amps?
 
One option is to use a doubler plug and send output to each amp. Many times that will work OK.

If not, the next option would be a simple mixer. Send box output to mixer and then left and right mixer outs to amps.

You can get a simple Behringer mixer for about $40.

Ed
 
I've heard about these Morleys' before, they are reputedly noisy...

What would you call these? I did a search for ABY selector and didn't find anything....

Thanx.
 
Do you need to switch between the two amps, or are both going to be going all the time?

Some A/B switches are noisy.

The mixer approach is low noise and offers other EQ/volume options but has no switching.

Ed
 
cellardweller said:
I've heard about these Morleys' before, they are reputedly noisy...

What would you call these? I did a search for ABY selector and didn't find anything....

Thanx.
Click to expand...

Try a search on A/B-Y or A/B/Y switch. I think Boss/Roland makes one also.

As Ed and you said though maybe the mixer would be quieter, but would a Behringer mixer be that much quieter ? :D
 
were you, by chance, using a stereo chorus pedal with a wall adapter? you can sometimes get a lot less noise by using fresh batteries instead...
 
vestast said:
As Ed and you said though maybe the mixer would be quieter, but would a Behringer mixer be that much quieter ? :D
Click to expand...

I use one in my normal setup and it produces zero noise (as far as I can tell). I mix stereo guitar inputs and 2 separate stereo guitar synth inputs for output to a stereo power amp.

Ed
 
You usually wouldn't want to use a line level mixer in between the guitar and amp. It will mess up the impedance.

They are called 'Splitters' if you don't want to switch and 'A/B Switchers' if you want the switch.
 
Check out the Boss LS-2 which is a line changer (or looper) with 6 different switching modes for CH A, CH B, Bypass). It also has a 9V out jack for powering several other pedals with a power supply daisy chain.

I just bought one for a pedal board I have assembled and think its pretty versatile. Its not true-bypass and all that junk, but none of the Boss boxes are and that hasnt been a problem for me yet...sounds good to my ears.
 
TexRoadkill said:
You usually wouldn't want to use a line level mixer in between the guitar and amp. It will mess up the impedance.
Click to expand...

Mixers are designed to take input from a variety of sources and feed output to an amp. That's one of their roles in life. Since they have adjustable output, you can match the output to the desired input level of your amp.

I have yet to experience any problems with that approach and any amp of any kind.

Ed
 
I think what Tex is saying is your mixer will have a +4 output impedence and I don't think that is what your amp is expecting ?

That's why they make boxes like the Radial DI which does impedence matching.

Correct me if I'm wrong Tex.
 
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The +4 generally refers to mixer output levels, which are of course adjustable.

What I can tell you is that I have been playing every weekend for about 5 years with that kind of setup, and have zero problems with it.

Ed
 
I'm not saying it won't work. It changes the signal from a high impedance guitar level to a line level. That changes the tone and most guitar amps are designed to be driven with a high impedance signal.

Guitar amps almost always sound better being fed the right type of level. Listen to your guitar tone with the guitar direct to the amp then put the mixer in front and you will hear the difference yourself.
 
There is no question that input level to an amp matters. That's one of the reasons a mixer has a level control. One can usually find the correct level range without too much difficulty.

Ed
 
The noise that you normally experience when splitting between amps is a ground issue "usually". I found that whenever I use a splitter, I always run a ground wire betwen the amps and that usually takes care of it. I have the Morely splitter and use a stero phaser to split as well. Both can be noisy if I don't run a ground between the amps.

Theoretically, both amps shoould ground through the splitter, but the reallity is that the grounding you get is not good enough to keep both amps at the exact same ground level. Running a seperate ground wire will ensure that you get good contact.
 
juststartingout said:
The noise that you normally experience when splitting between amps is a ground issue "usually". I found that whenever I use a splitter, I always run a ground wire betwen the amps and that usually takes care of it. I have the Morely splitter and use a stero phaser to split as well. Both can be noisy if I don't run a ground between the amps.

Theoretically, both amps shoould ground through the splitter, but the reallity is that the grounding you get is not good enough to keep both amps at the exact same ground level. Running a seperate ground wire will ensure that you get good contact.
Click to expand...


Wow! See I tried using a simple Y splitter (2 f to 1 male) straight from my guitar to two amps and got horrible buzzing. So you so that by having a ground wire interconneted to the amps, it will get rid of that?

Do tell how one goes about doing that.
 
seryozha said:
Wow! See I tried using a simple Y splitter (2 f to 1 male) straight from my guitar to two amps and got horrible buzzing. So you so that by having a ground wire interconneted to the amps, it will get rid of that?

Do tell how one goes about doing that.
Click to expand...

Find a screw on the metal chassis on each amp, and run a wire from one to the other. Now I hope you did notice the word "usually", it's not a guarentee to work, but it is very cheap and easy to try.
 
Ed Dixon said:
There is no question that input level to an amp matters. That's one of the reasons a mixer has a level control. One can usually find the correct level range without too much difficulty.

Ed
Click to expand...

It's not a matter of level it's a matter of impedance. Unless you are putting a transformer on the line to the amp it will not be the same.

When you change the impedance it changes the tone. That is why some mic preamps offer different input impedances so that you can better match the mic impedance or just use it for different tones.
 
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