TahoeMike00
52 posts
Jul 20, 2010
3:42 PM
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Is there an adapter or box that will allow 2 instruments (or inputs) to plug into one amp jack?
I'm sure there would be issues, impedance wise etc.
I am currently using my Fender Frontman 25R amp from my old guitar days and wanted to see if I could pipe in a CD in along with the harp mic into the single input jack by using a Y connector or splitter box of some sort.
Feasible? Bad idea?
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The more I learn about harmonica, the more I learn how much more there is to learn.
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2010 3:49 PM
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Oisin
604 posts
Jul 20, 2010
4:06 PM
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I've done it with a guitar and mic before and it worked ok but the volume control on the guitar affected the mic and visa-versa so I had to do a bit of knob twiddling to get them just right.
I just used a mono Y connector plugged into the amp and the guitar and mic cable plugged into the Y piece.
I'm sure you could get it to work. The only thing I would say about playing cds through guitar amps is that I've always found the sound quality to be rubbish but if it was just for playing along to it should be ok.
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Oisin
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Greg Heumann
677 posts
Jul 20, 2010
4:29 PM
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I wouldn't recommend it. The CD player makes a line-out level signal if you have phono jacks to use - if you only have only the 1/8" stereo out, that is a higher signal level yet. Either way it is sending current TO your mic, trying to turn the microphone into a speaker. Microphones weren't designed for that. In the case of a dynamic mic - it might handle it, but it could damage it. In the case of a crystal element it may well fry the element. Keep the output of the CD player as low as possible - especially if you only have the earphone signal output to choose from. And be sure you're hooked to the amp BEFORE you turn the CD player on.
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/Greg
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oldwailer
1310 posts
Jul 20, 2010
6:15 PM
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Whatever Greg says is of course the words of an expert--and I'm not one--but I have done fine with my little busking rig by simply putting as many inputs as I want into my little Behringer mixer--usually two mics, a guitar, and two electric foot-drums--the mixer will take 8 inputs.
Then I just plug a guitar cord into the output of the mixer--right into an amp. Sometimes I use two amps, but the setup is the same and the output to both amps is the same.
I can also patch my Ipod into the mixer or the amp direct--then I can play any back-tracks I want to. I only use the back-tracks for practice at this point, but I might use them for performance sometime.
The advantage of the mixer is that you have an additional volume and tone set of controls, as well as the ability to mix in special FX for each individual input. I just keep my amp volume at upper midrange, and the tone controls all at dead center. This works for me--but I don't try to play hard-driven stuff--I have a very soft approach--and I don't care about getting a Chicago sound from a cupped harp, since I'm playing the harp on a rack. . .
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Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2010 6:17 PM
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Greg Heumann
680 posts
Jul 20, 2010
7:58 PM
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Of course using a mixer is fine! That's what they're for. They isolate one input from another. You can get little "personal" mixers pretty cheap. I was only warning against the original suggestion/question about using a Y-adapter to do the job. A mixer is a much better idea for this application in order to manage the levels of mic and CD player separately. Sorry if I confused anyone - didn't mean to imply there was no way - it might have sounded like that.
Something like this should do the trick: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/ART-PowerMIX-III-3-Channel-Personal-Mixer?sku=180625
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/Greg
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2010 7:59 PM
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TahoeMike00
53 posts
Jul 21, 2010
8:49 AM
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@ Greg - Bingo!! I guess that addresses the "or box" part of my question. I was sure there was -something- out there that was more appropriate than a y-splitter.
...and I should have said iPod/MP3 player not CD input.
Thanks guys for your input. (No pun intended)
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The more I learn about harmonica, the more I learn how much more there is to learn.
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