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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
BlueXLab Dual volume control
BlueXLab Dual volume control
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Harpaholic
183 posts
Aug 22, 2010
10:08 AM
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220655993156&_trksid=p2759.l1259
A question for the experts like Greg, Mark B, Steve S, etc:
What are your thoughs on this product? Will it split the mic signal in half going to each amp?
Do you see any potential problems with this vc?
I would like to see it with three 1/4" females, so I could place it on the amp, instead of hanging off the mic.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220655993156&_trksid=p2759.l1259
Last Edited by on Aug 22, 2010 10:09 AM
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htownfess
160 posts
Aug 22, 2010
11:06 AM
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From the photos or brief description, I can't tell how it's configured internally, but it looks to be two pots in a box with proper connectors. If that's the case, then yes, the mic signal is split in half *when both pots are full up*. Having four paths to ground (two pots + two amp inputs) instead of three (one pot/two inputs) means somewhat more signal loss, but not necessarily enough to worry about except with (let us say it all together :) an Astatic crystal. Depends on what the pots & amp inputs are but dynamics/CR/CM may not be affected significantly. However, a simple two-parallel-pots circuits means they'll be interactive, so rolling one pot down would turn the other amp down somewhat also. I think.
Besides being somewhat physically clumsy as you mentioned, I wouldn't trust myself to remember which knob did what, or not to bump one intentionally while going for the other.
I'd rather just have a volume pot on the mic, run the mic into a buffer, split from there, turn each amp up below the feedback point, and run the amps' volume as a unit. I have to say the concept of this Frank's box may never have crossed my mind, and I've been known to get crazy with the Cheez Whiz in my time. Too many variables for me, given how easily my brain fries onstage.
Not sure how unfried my brain is this morning so I hope Greg and Mark will take a go at the matter--
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Greg Heumann
716 posts
Aug 22, 2010
9:12 PM
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At SPAH, Chris Richards showed me a control built by Switchcraft back in the 50's or early 60;s that was the exact same idea - so this isn't new. I had never seen one - so I presume they didn't make many, probably because there wasn't much demand for them.
I agree that this will be death to a crystal tone, and not great for something else. Doesn't say what the value of the pots is. I have asked and will report. Whatever they are, the mic will see the load as though a single resistor, half the value of either pot (assuming they're the same value) - i.e., two 100K pots, the mic will see a 50K load. This will suck the tone even out of a CM or CR. You can't solve the problem by just putting in higher and higher value pots, because the higher you go, the more sensitive the knob becomes. This is why I recommend different pots for different elements. You can use my "extra-hi-Z" control with a CR and it won't rob tone, but (unlike with the crystal element it is intended for) it will be overly sensitive - the useful volume control range will be constrained to the 1st 1/3 turn of the knob.
There are MANY ways to split your signal to two amps. This one has the advantage of convenience and simplicity, but the disadvantage of potentially tone sucking impedance. The one Htownfess proposes would be a technically superior solution. More importantly, I feel that one cable is enough of a pain in the ass to drag around the stage with me when I perform. 2 would be twice the weight, which definitely matters to holding comfort, and will almost certainly devolve into a tangled, twisted, catch on the drummer's gear, trip over it mess.
You asked, that's my opinion. Given that he is a competitor, I suppose you should take it with a grain of salt.
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/Greg
Last Edited by on Aug 22, 2010 9:19 PM
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Harpaholic
186 posts
Sep 12, 2010
8:52 AM
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Both pots are 1 Mega ohm. So the mic will see a 1 meg load. So for a crystal element, this would be a good set up.
I don't think it will sell in it's current design, because no one wants a 1/4 lb box, and two cables hanging off their mic, at least I don't.
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