asterix2k10 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 I am using a Y cable for my boom mic so I can record to two tracks at the same time. I put phantom on one channel only. I turn the level down on one track so in case I get clipping I still have the lower track to use. Are there any downsides to doing this? Quality loss? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 *2k10: " Are there any downsides to doing this?" that can be difficult to say... have you noticed any ? " Quality loss? " have you noticed any ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Dolinger Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 No downside in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrd456 Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 NO----take a listen J.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Rose Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 If you're using high quality transformer-input devices, a Y-cable of one mic to two inputs can show loading problems. Each transformer acts as a parallel load on the other. But modern op-amp input devices -- including all cameras, and most mixers -- are much higher impedance so there shouldn't be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Bridging inputs are our friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Radlauer Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 The polarity will be the same so it might sound funny, but if you're just using it as a so called "safety" track it will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Karlsson Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 How about plugging the mic into one channel, and slightly pan it to one side, so in the L-R mix one side will be softer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Zenz Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 If you are using a straight Y cord you need to have the phantom power on in both channels. I think the unpowered channel is loading down the phantom power so not enough voltage us getting to the mic. This has always worked for me. The alternative is to use a transformer splitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro nakamura Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Recorders nowadays, could route an input to two separate channels. Why taking a risk on a Y cable? Hiro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wandering Ear Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Recorders nowadays, could route an input to two separate channels. Why taking a risk on a Y cable? Hiro Not all recorders can set seperate gain levels for each track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkautzsch Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 How about plugging the mic into one channel, and slightly pan it to one side, so in the L-R mix one side will be softer. Recorders nowadays, could route an input to two separate channels. Why taking a risk on a Y cable? Hiro You can still overlaod that one mic input stage, and that's precisely what we want to avoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Visser Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 The fidelity you loose by reducing the source impedance is probably a wash for just turning the preamp's gain down. The proper way to do it is to use a mic splitting transformer, which also isolates the phantom power. Look at page 3 of this PDF for an application diagram. Cinemag is the best in the biz and make excellent transformers. I have purchased small orders from David Geren in the past. cinemag@att.net http://cinemag.biz/splitter-xfmr/PDF/CMMS-2.pdf Jensen also makes good transformers and you can find off the shelf splitters from the likes of Whirlwind or ProCo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 TV: " off the shelf splitters from the likes of " they wouldn't make them if there wasn't a market for them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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