{"id":2310,"date":"2022-01-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-04T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/uncategorised\/hosatech-ymm-261-stereo-splitter\/"},"modified":"2022-04-07T13:09:50","modified_gmt":"2022-04-07T12:09:50","slug":"hosatech-ymm-261-stereo-splitter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/equipment\/hosatech-ymm-261-stereo-splitter\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Mic Splitter and Do I Need One?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A mic splitter cable (or audio splitter) is something you might use if you want to send the audio from one source to two or more places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what’s an example of this? Well, it might be that you and a friend are recording into a mic with only one headphone jack, but you’d both like to wear headphones. Plugging in a splitter will let you connect two pairs of headphones or earbuds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or, you might be recording into one device but you’d like to send the audio to a backup recorder too. A splitter can help you do that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, I’m going to focus on the latter. So let’s take a look at how and why a microphone splitter might help you record better sounding audio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Using a Mic Splitter to Create “Two Channel” Recording<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most novel ways of using a mic splitter is if you have a small digital recorder, like the Tascam DR-05<\/a>. Basically, a recorder that doesn’t have any XLR inputs to let you plug in multiple mics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sure, you can record multiple participants into the device’s built-in mics. But the sound levels are going to be inconsistent based on each person’s distance from the recorder, as well as how loud they talk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An alternative is to run a splitter into your recorder’s 3.5mm input jack. Then, connect two mics into it. These would also be 3.5mm connecting mics – commonly, lavalier mics<\/a>. The best “affordable quality” lavalier option out there right now, in my opinion, is the Rode Lavalier Go<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re using a standard mic splitter for this, then the audio is going to be recorded in “joint stereo”. Here, you’ll still benefit from both participants being more “on-mic” (because they both now have their own mics). But if one is talking a lot louder than the other, that’s going to be hard to fix in the editing phase<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A solution for this is to use a mic splitter like the Hosa Stereo Breakout<\/a>, which helps create something more akin to a “two-channel” or multitrack recording<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heads Up: We’ve had some reports from users who’re having trouble getting this mic splitter to work with the Zoom H1<\/a>. To see the ones we’ve checked it with, you’ll find a list of confirmed compatible recorders at the bottom of the post.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Splitting in Stereo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"standard<\/a>
Two mics recording via a standard splitter<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"audio<\/a>
Two mics recording via the Hosa Breakout<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When I ran two lavalier mics into my digital recorder using a normal mic splitter, the audio was recorded in “joint stereo”. This means that both sides mirrored each other, as you can see in the first screenshot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you’re using a stereo splitter like the Hosa Breakout model, you can clearly see the difference on both channels. There’s still a bit of “bleed” from one side to the next, but it’s minimal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you record in this manner, you can split the sides of your stereo track into two mono tracks<\/a> in your editing software<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means you can alter the levels of each participant independently if one person was a bit too loud or a bit too quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Lav Mics Into a Digital Recorder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My first choice for using two lav mics<\/a> simultaneously is to run them into the Zoom H5<\/a>‘s XLR\/TRS combo ports, using 3.5mm to 1\/4″ mono adapters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This gives you full control over both mics. You can set the gain of each independently, before and during the recording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you’re using a smaller model of recorder<\/a> that only has a 3.5mm port for external inputs, the Hosa Breakout gets you as close to two-channel recording as you’re likely to find with this type of setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recording With Four Mics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re using a recorder with two XLR\/TRS combo ports, as well as a 3.5mm input (such as the Zoom H4<\/a> or Zoom H5<\/a>), then you can use four microphones at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"4<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The two mics feeding into the combo ports will record on independent channels. At the same time, the Hosa Breakout will split its mics into a stereo track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These can be separated into two mono tracks<\/a> in post-production. All tracks can then be processed independently in your editing software<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This setup is like having a mobile radio studio with you at all times.  It’s a fantastic option for ’roundtable’ recordings of four people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, a simpler way of doing things these days might be to opt for a dedicated multitrack podcast recorder like the Zoom PodTrak P4<\/a>. This lets you record local participants, phone calls, online interviews, and play music\/SFX during your sessions, too. Check out our full review of the Zoom PodTrak P4<\/a> and see what you think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lalal.ai<\/a><\/div>
<\/span>

Related Article<\/p><\/div>

Lalal.ai Audio Splitter Review: Can You Split Mono Into Stereo?<\/span><\/a><\/p>

In this review of Lalal.ai audio splitter, we’ll show you how this tool works to split your podcast’s vocals from background sound.<\/span>\u00a0Find out more \u00bb<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Summary: Using a Mic Splitter Cable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mic splitters are a great way to add more flexibility to small and simple recording setups. At around $5, adding the Hosa Breakout to your setup is unlikely to break the bank, either. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll find Hosa Breakout cables in sizes other than 3.5mm, too. For example, they have a mic splitter for 1\/4″ to 1\/4″ connections. Visit the Hosa store on Amazon<\/a> to see their full range. Bizarrely, they also make work gloves. That’s handy, eh? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I mentioned that the 3.5mm Hosa model has its share of reported issues when used with the Zoom H1<\/a>. But here are the recorders we’ve successfully tested it with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n