Splitting the inputs on my audiophile?

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-- Splitting the inputs on my audiophile?

Posted by alanzo on Feb-18-2005 05:19:

Splitting the inputs on my audiophile?

I just bought myself a 2nd synth (a Nord Lead keyboard). But the input on my soundcard is already taken up by my Roland JP-8000. So I was thinking about just buying a pair splitters (dual female to single male) instead of shelling out an extra $100 for a dual input sound card (an M-Audio Delta 44).

Does this sound like a bad idea? Keep in mind, I love quality.. but don't feel abolute perfection in a recording is necessary (hense my $1000 worth of gear going into a $80 sound card).

I currently own an M-Audio Audiophile 2496
All listed currency is in USD

Posted by SgtFoo on Feb-18-2005 06:04:

don't split it. it just won't be good. splitting only works when you are outputting from 1 to 2 split. when you go the other way, you'll overload the input and the pre-amp. besides,you won't be able to discern them.

use a table-top 8-channel mixer or something similar to sum up your channels/synths to a stereo pair that can output to your soundcard. Lookup some small 6 or 8 channel soundcraft or mackie mixers... shouldn't be too much.

otherwise, just swap the synths as you use/record from them.

Posted by staticblue on Feb-18-2005 06:50:

i would sell the audiophile against a delta44. 50 dollars upgrade !

Posted by No Left Turn on Feb-18-2005 07:51:

definitely do not split your inputs. i would either try to sell your audiophile and get a delta 44 or 66, or invest in a mixer. a little 8/10/12 channel will last you for some time. in our studio, we used to run a yamaha 12/4 through an audiophile for the longest time. we just recently upgraded to a delta 1010.

Posted by alanzo on Feb-18-2005 12:57:

so is there a huge loss of quality or do I just have to worry about overloading the input if I split it?

Posted by SgtFoo on Feb-18-2005 19:37:

quote:
Originally posted by alanzo
so is there a huge loss of quality or do I just have to worry about overloading the input if I split it?

both of those go hand-in-hand

Posted by Digital Aura on Feb-18-2005 19:57:

Alanzo...

I have a 2496 audiophile and a small Behringer UB1002 mixer too, and while its a great little soundcard / mixer combo I think the Delta 44 would have been a better option.

Just my $.02