Splitter Snake

[ashish.malaviya]

Hi

I am using Klots 48 channel splitter snake for FOH and Monitor mix, It has in built transformer and earth lift features. now what I do, when using a condenser microphone I give +48 volts from FOH console and that mic works in monitor console also.

Is this the right way because if u give 48 volts to a microphone and you split it into 2 than the volts should drop to 24 volts.

And if we give phantom power from FOH and Monitor consoles the power will rise up to 96 volts.

 

Please help me with this...

 

 

Regards

Ashish

[donald463]

That's not the way it works. Splitting the signal does not split the phantom voltage supply (or double up if combining).

Best practice is always to supply Phantom supply individually from FOH desk and never (under normal circumstances) from Monitor desk.

[Simon Lewis]

The voltage that the mic sees remains at 48V. However, having two supplies means that the mic "sees" this 48V

through two 3400 ohm resistors instead of the normal pair of 6800 ohm resistors. Because of this, twice the current is available to the microphone, and it may be that the mics own internal current limiting circuit has to handle this.

 

In terms of providing phantom from two desks, most modern units do not complain at all. I understand though that some older designs can suffer problems, and one engineer gives the example of older desks that switched phantom globally by switching the AC to the phantom PSU. If this switch was not on, then external 48V presented to the output pin of the 48V regulator can cause problems. A series diode can help solve the issue.

 

Of course, the safest route is to decide that just one desk handles phantom.

 

Simon

[Stan Hope-Streeter]

... Best practice is always to supply Phantom supply individually from FOH desk and never (under normal circumstances) from Monitor desk ...

 

Why do you say this?

 

Best practice under normal circumstances is to power from the monitor console.

 

It's more reliable because it avoids using the FOH multicore and connectors.

 

It's more ergonomic because the monitor engineer is closer to the action and can see what needs powering, saves calling the FOH engineer to request it.

 

It saves a lot of time and trouble during changeovers and eliminates several potential sources of error.

[J Pearce]

Fine for big stuff, but on smaller shows often the monitor desk won't use all the channels.

Things like a bass amp thats mic'ed and DI'd, monitors would likely take the DI; and drum overheads often get left out.

 

That said its all starting to change as IEMs and digital monitor desks filter down to even the smallest cheapest shows.

[MarkPAman]

Hi

I am using Klots 48 channel splitter snake for FOH and Monitor mix, It has in built transformer and earth lift features.

 

Phantom power (being DC) will not go past a transformer. I will also not work if you lift the earth (unless another path exists). So in this case, you will only be able to supply phantom from whichever desk is connected directly to the mic. In this case, as it works, it sounds as if it's the FOH.

[ashish.malaviya]

In this case can we use a normal Y cable. To split the signal.

[Simon Lewis]

In this case can we use a normal Y cable. To split the signal.

 

Yes - there's usually no problem with this at all (except in some cases hum can be an issue).

[Stan Hope-Streeter]

Fine for big stuff, but on smaller shows often the monitor desk won't use all the channels.

Things like a bass amp thats mic'ed and DI'd, monitors would likely take the DI; and drum overheads often get left out.That said its all starting to change as IEMs and digital monitor desks filter down to even the smallest cheapest shows.

 

Ah yes, thank you for reminding me of that. For the last 15 years or so I've been working with systems that always have every channel available on both the house and monitor consoles. I guess it depends on one's definition of "under normal circumstances"

[ashish.malaviya]

Hi All

Your information really helped me a lot .Thanks for such wonderful replies...once again

 

 

Thanks and Regards

Ashish