kilerb Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Hi, I do stand up comedy. Just got home from guitar center where I asked the guys there if this was possible. They sent me home with a Y cable that did not work. The idea is to tap in my iPad's sound through the club's microphone cable on stage while at the same time being able to talk and have them hear me as well. The Y cable they constructed for me consisted of XLR's on all 3 ends... 2 to 1. 1 went to the mic, 1 went to the iPad's 1/8" audio output, and the last one went to the mic cable which goes to the house audio. Got home and tested this on my mixer. Only one source would work at a time it seemed. Noise when it moved too. Is what I want to do possible? I don't want anything I'd have to plug into A/C power. Battery operated would be okay. Even if there is a microphone I could buy that I could extend a wire from my iPad to would be fine. Does anyone have a solution to solve this quest? Would be most appreciated! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallyJJ87 Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Hi Kilerb and welcome to the Blue room! If I've understood this properly, the guys at the guitar center advised sending both a line level signal from your ipad, and a mic level signal down the same XLR. This doesn't work, as you've found out: I'd take it back and ask for a refund if I were you, and maybe give them a slap as well for good measure :P The right way to do it would be to send your ipod signal through a DI box (which converts it to mic level) then run a separate XLR to the house audio mixer from the DI box. Either that or have the house sound engineer play tracks off your ipad on cue... Not sure of the longest range fm transmitter you could plug into your ipad, but I wouldn't want to rely on this for a show. Hope this helps and that you get something sorted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 I suppose in a pinch you could make a box that y 's together the Mic and the output of a di box, through a couple of 50k ohm potentiometers. Or use a film / tv field mixer that outputs at Michael level. Either way, guitar centre stuffed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJones Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 The easiest way is to get another line to the mixing desk and send the iPad down that. Failing that, something like This seems another way of doing it. (that was the first link I clicked on- there are probably cheaper/better items out there!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullRange Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 For the purpose of this reply I'll assume that running an extra cable to a DI box for the iPad isn't possible.Here's an example of the type of portable mixer David is referring to : Shure FP410. It would do everything you need, but might be over your budget and it does more than you will probably ever need.More examples of portable mixers can be found at B&H Video.There are also various 'utility mixers' out there that might do what you need, see this part of B&H. From a quick glance there are certainly some that come close to what you need, but most seem to have unbalanced line level outputs which would need to be connected through a DI box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.breeze Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 What's wrong with running two cables to the desk? Have I missed something? Surely 2 audio sources = 2 cables... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibbothegreat Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 There also a potential problem which I don't think anyone has yet referred to which is that if the club's mic line has phantom power on it (typically at 48 volts) that will do your iPad a whole power of no good (the consolation is that it won't affect your mic...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldradiohand Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 ...not to mention the loading effects of wiring a headphone amp and microphone in parallel. If it's a dynamic mic you'll hear the output of the ipad on it! 2 audio lines or use a small mixer. The guys in your local guitar shop are idiots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/657291-REG/Whirlwind_PODMIX_podMIX_Passive_Mixer.htmlJob done :) (btw, my last post, for "Michael" read "mic"... damn autocorrect!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weedkiller Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Hi killerb, I'm sure there must be lots of acts who would like to have a sound source to hand to play out instant sound effects, stings or music on demand from centre stage. My ideal would be quality radio mic which incorporates a SD card or microSD for selecting and playing back mp3 files at touch of button on the mic. (Nearest I have seen is the various karaoke magic mic systems, but never had opportunity to play about with one) I presume you want a very compact interface/ mixer with Ipod already connected to Music IN which you produce when you walk on, unplug the house mic from its cable (while muted by the sound guy), connect the loose cable to the interface OUT and plug the mic into a mic IN. If it was me, I would try to cobble up something using a few resistors, pots and the transformer from a passive DI box and try and get it to look good in a small project box with short XLR tails and Ipod headphone cable Which is pretty much what you find in the unit suggested by David - although it could be more compact for dangling from your mic. Make sure your sound files are all at similar level so when you set the mix, playback doesnt blast out unexpectedly mid show. Weedkiller. Btw Don't some venues tape the comedians mic to the cable to avoid pulling off accidently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.breeze Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Seriously. The answer is to use 2 independent channels on the desk using 2 seperate audio lines from the stage. Can't understand why anything else is even being discussed. Sound engineers are employed for a reason. Use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timsabre Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Seriously. The answer is to use 2 independent channels on the desk using 2 seperate audio lines from the stage. Can't understand why anything else is even being discussed. Sound engineers are employed for a reason. Use them. Yes, if there is a sound engineer, but it's very possible that OP performs in small clubs/bars where there may be just a mixer amp behind the bar with one hardwired mic on the stage. There's plenty of venues out there like that, probably also in the US where he is posting from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 A passive DI and mini mixer would probably be the best, but the OP spec'd no mains power. One of the cheap little battery powered mini mixers might work, but they're not great quality. A field mixer fits the spec but the extra cost means its probably better to buy a mains mixer and and a long extension lead... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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