If you have ever found it necessary to feed the signal from a single mic to two sources, then you might need a mic splitter. Using a Y-lead for the same purpose may work to a certain extent, but this isn't an elegant solution and can lead to less than optimum performance from the mic — not to mention earth loops and RF interference. The Y-lead solution is also less than ideal if the mic you're using requires phantom power. If you need to feed two sources with one mic, chances are you're working on stage, and would rather like to have as few mics as possible in the way of the performer. If a concert is being recorded or broadcast, using single mics and splitter boxes allows the engineer to separately feed the main house PA and the recording desk or broadcast equipment; both outputs should be transformer isolated, to keep earth loops at bay. Simple as that. It may be true that adequate recordings can be made directly from the front of house desk, but for a true multitrack recording of a live performance, a separate system is a more satisfactory and professional working arrangement. Likewise, a desk optimised for multitrack recording is probably not going to be able to provide all the on-stage monitoring facilities and feeds to the live sound system while being used to get the best recording onto to tape.

A mic splitter would also allow drastically different treatments to be set up on two different mixer channels for, say, a vocal mic; this technique would make it easy to switch between the two different treatments in real time, and could be used live or recording direct to tape — and if the monitoring section of your desk wasn't as flexible as you'd like it to be, two completely different vocal sounds could be produced in this way, with one going to tape and one going to the vocalist's headphones.

Now that you've realised how useful a mic splitter can be, let's turn to the EMO E325. The build quality of this product is superb, which is true of the entire EMO range — you'll find their products being widely used in demanding professional audio situations. All connections are on balanced XLRs, and apart from the input, there is a direct output, and two further, transformer isolated, outputs (labelled A and B). Phantom power can be passed to the mic via output A or the direct output; if you don't want phantom power at all, a clearly marked link on the PCB must be cut. There are two phase reverse switches, which between them can be used to solve any phase problem, for example, from incorrectly wired or faulty leads; they can also be used to reduce howl-round in stage monitoring systems. The remaining switch is an earth lift on output B, useful in controlling earth loops. Electrically, the E325 is a passive device, with a full range frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz and an input level of +4dBu at 30Hz.

EMO's mic splitter is a specialised tool sure enough, but the E325 does its job in the simplest possible way and its solid construction promises a long working life. It's not terribly expensive either, especially considering its pedigree. If you think a mic splitter will enhance your life or solve one of your problems, then you could do a lot worse than to pick up an EMO E325.

Further Information
EMO E325 £63.30 including VAT.

EMO Systems Ltd, (Contact Details).