Musician Gear & Tech Discussion

With the new tribute band, I really need to have 2 guitars plugged in, ready to go at all time - and a stereo keyboard. My amp has one input jack! I tried using a 1/4" stereo headphone splitter the other night but you can't turn down the volume control one guitar without muting the other one.
I have a Tascam US800 interface which could work as a mixer - pretty sure I can plug guitars into both channel 1 and 2, as well, but the inputs are those plastic combo 1/4" XLR style, and someone mentioned that the 1/4 part of these wear out pretty quickly if you use them a lot.

All the mixers I see - including my big Mackie one - only have 1 channel for instrument direct in.
Looking for a solution - is a DI box going to be necessary? If so, I'm thinking this one might be the best solution at a cheap price: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SDirectPlus/

A/B - Y box ?

Considering one myself so that I can have my guitar on two channels opposition panned and use the A/B-Y to shift my leads left right or center.

The double input DI box I linked is probably as good an idea as an A/B, as I don't need to switch during songs (so don't need a foot switch), but need to be able to do it quickly between songs. There are times when I'll need a 3rd guitar (12 string, for example), and will have to plug/unplug when that happens.

With my Spider amp, I can have preset sound patches ready to go for each guitar, so no 'dial twisting' is needed either.

Someone ... I don't remember whom just off the top of my head makes a multiple line switch box ( five if I recall well ) that might be perfect for your needs.
I remember coming across it when doing research on MUSICIANS FRIEND web site.

A DB might give you signal strength issues between an acoustic and an electric rig.
The one I use for the ground lift with Jordan's rig has a pad switch.

But then my experience with them is pretty limited.
I could just be talking out my butt.

The only thing I found at MF for this was a 2-input 2-amp box: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifie ... p-switcher

A DB might give you signal strength issues between an acoustic and an electric rig.
The one I use for the ground lift with Jordan's rig has a pad switch.

I was wondering abut that too, but since I can run one left and one right - to my Tascam US800, or to small mixer if I buy one, I could adjust the volumes on that pretty easy.

The Morley pedal or this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifie ... ctor-pedal
is the simplest way to do what you want without fuzzing up your impedance or gain levels... or buy a different amp with dual input chanels. Running through a mixer or active DI box B4 your amp will sound a lot less musical.

I got a DOD 240 resistance Mixer: http://www.dod.com/accessories/accessories.htm

Works great, no impedance issues!

That's why I love this place.

Where else can you tap the experience of musicians you may never even meet face to face.


You guys rock.

I got a DOD 240 resistance Mixer: http://www.dod.com/accessories/accessories.htm

Works great, no impedance issues!

Perfect! I didn't know they still made those. I have a really old one from the 70s.

You can use a switch, standard A/B switch should work, but I don't find it necessary. I've used several guitars onstage for years, for different reasons. Tuning goes out the window if the temperature changes by as little as 2°, I want the sound of a certain guitar for a certain song, or different tuning for slide, so I change guitars pretty often. Usually at least a half dozen times per set. (I keep 7 guitars onstage usually including acoustic, plus the lap steel if I bring it) I find I can change guitars in less than 10 seconds, and I'm a stickler about minimizing downtime between songs. I want 15 seconds or less no matter what, so I found I can swap guitars in under 10 seconds. I think about 7 seconds is the best I can do.

Just my take on it. You don't need a long swap time, you should be ready in 10 seconds or less.

Trying to avoid the plugging/unplugging thing and also have the relative volume levels balanced. It's easy to forget to mute the amp when you're in a hurry. Anyway, this device will let me have 3 guitars and keyboard plugged in and volume balanced. I should never need more than 3 guitar in any particular set.

I got a DOD 240 resistance Mixer: http://www.dod.com/accessories/accessories.htm

Works great, no impedance issues!

Perfect! I didn't know they still made those. I have a really old one from the 70s.

actually, i don't believe they've been available (new) for some time.

as it happens i have one that i'm not using (cough, cough, hint, hint, ahem)

http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/msg/3150202090.html
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You might be right, I got mine on Ebay - there are a bunch there right now.
B+H Photo-Video still has them for $37.

Can't you just turn it down at the guitar?
When I have my volume level set I don't
mess with the amp, I just turn it down at
the guitar. This is how a non techie guy
does it, and it works.