> Hi all. Some of you might remember the discussion I started about
> building a mic split a little while ago. I've mulled it over a bunch
> (when I have had a few moments) and decided that building my own just
> isn't economical at the moment. If I was to spend the money to do it
> properly, I might as well buy a system premade. The only thing I gain
> by doing it myself is customizability and the burden of a lot of
> soldering. In addition, since I lack enough mic preamps, I would have
> to buy or build more (not a small task).
>
> Then I had another idea. I think I can pull the audio off of another
> part of the signal chain, after the mic preamps in the console (for
> the curious, I'd build a box that will pull the audio off the insert
> jack, while still allowing inserts on every channel). The problem is
> that on that output, there is the possibility that I wouldn't have
> exclusive use of that signal. So I think I need to use an opamp as a
> high impedance buffer so as not to load down the output.
>
> Questions:
>
> 1. Am I on the right track? If I wanted to "steal" an audio signal,
> would an opamp buffer be the best way to do it with minimal impact to
> the original signal chain?
>
> 2. Any recommendations on how to design a follower that won't effect
> the audio signal too much?
>
> 3. Any better ways to do this that don't involve expensive transformers?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Josh

> If you're just trying to run one mic to two mixers, you can plug the
> mic into the first mixer, and run a 1/4" unbalanced (e.g. guitar)
> cable from the insert to the insert on the second mixer.  Plug the
> cable in "halfway" on the first board so the NC switch on the jack
> isn't opened and the signal can still go through the first mixer.  If
> you need to connect to more mixers, use a Y cable.
>
> Repeat for each channel you need to share.
>
> The mixer should buffer the insert send, so you don't need to do it yourself.
>
> If you need to preserve inserts on the mixers, then just wire up the
> box you were thinking of.  No passive or active electronics necessary.
>  You'll be in for a lot of soldering, though.  Might be worth making a
> PCB for it, to keep your sanity.