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Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: if_then_else on September 27, 2015, 05:22:15 AM

Title: Belkin Rockstar (or alternative signal splitters)
Post by: if_then_else on September 27, 2015, 05:22:15 AM
Quick question: A couple of months ago I recorded some SBD feed at a small venue. The mixing desk only had a single 3.5 mm mini-jack stereo out - no RCA / XLR or digital outs. Apparently, sometimes the FOH engineers at that club might want to record some of the performances themselves.

Any recommendations regarding some high-end 3.5 mm stereo Y-cable or some sort of "hub"? Apparently, the "Belkin Rockstar" is able to split one 3.5 mm stereo input into up to 5 stereo outs. However, I suspect that this approach might deteriorate signal quality or even cause interference. Anyone got any previous experiences or recommendations?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/973925-REG/belkin_f8z274btblk_cable_for_rockstar.html
Title: Re: Belkin Rockstar (or alternative signal splitters)
Post by: goodcooker on September 27, 2015, 05:15:43 PM
I have used one of these quite a bit. Doesn't have 1/8 th inch mini but you could patch into input side using a simple 1/8th to RCA cable and take whatever you want (except for mini) out the other side. I found it very useful. It's lightweight and it's passive so no batteries. Just two transformers and a bunch of wires and jacks. Can't find mine anywhere....must have left it sitting on a SBD at some point.

http://www.parts-express.com/art-dti-dual-transformer-isolator--245-875?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_MFG_AB_Products_Broad_Plain&utm_group=245-875_BP_F50-100 (http://www.parts-express.com/art-dti-dual-transformer-isolator--245-875?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_MFG_AB_Products_Broad_Plain&utm_group=245-875_BP_F50-100)

Title: Re: Belkin Rockstar (or alternative signal splitters)
Post by: if_then_else on September 29, 2015, 05:49:27 AM
I have used one of these quite a bit. Doesn't have 1/8 th inch mini but you could patch into input side using a simple 1/8th to RCA cable and take whatever you want (except for mini) out the other side. I found it very useful. It's lightweight and it's passive so no batteries. Just two transformers and a bunch of wires and jacks. Can't find mine anywhere....must have left it sitting on a SBD at some point.

http://www.parts-express.com/art-dti-dual-transformer-isolator--245-875?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_MFG_AB_Products_Broad_Plain&utm_group=245-875_BP_F50-100 (http://www.parts-express.com/art-dti-dual-transformer-isolator--245-875?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_MFG_AB_Products_Broad_Plain&utm_group=245-875_BP_F50-100)

Thanks for your advise. The ART DTI Dual Transformer looks indeed more high-end than the Belkin device. However, I read a couple of reviews where people claimed that - under certain circumstances - this device might even add some hum to a recording. When you still had that device, did you experience any hum related issues when patching to a soundboard?
Title: Re: Belkin Rockstar (or alternative signal splitters)
Post by: goodcooker on September 29, 2015, 09:24:33 AM
I have used one of these quite a bit. Doesn't have 1/8 th inch mini but you could patch into input side using a simple 1/8th to RCA cable and take whatever you want (except for mini) out the other side. I found it very useful. It's lightweight and it's passive so no batteries. Just two transformers and a bunch of wires and jacks. Can't find mine anywhere....must have left it sitting on a SBD at some point.

http://www.parts-express.com/art-dti-dual-transformer-isolator--245-875?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_MFG_AB_Products_Broad_Plain&utm_group=245-875_BP_F50-100 (http://www.parts-express.com/art-dti-dual-transformer-isolator--245-875?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_MFG_AB_Products_Broad_Plain&utm_group=245-875_BP_F50-100)

Thanks for your advise. The ART DTI Dual Transformer looks indeed more high-end than the Belkin device. However, I read a couple of reviews where people claimed that - under certain circumstances - this device might even add some hum to a recording. When you still had that device, did you experience any hum related issues when patching to a soundboard?

Seems like I read somewhere that people had problems when using it to unbalance the signal (i.e. balanced XLR in to unbalanced RCA out). There is a screw to connect a ground wire if you encounter that kind of problem. I never had a single problem out of mine and used it to patch soundboards and home studio gear lots of ways. Unfortunately there is no universal system for grounding gear and people run into all sorts of problems with ground loops when using different systems. Again, I never had a single issue but YMMV.