a/b/y switcher -> stereo y-cable?

[dani]

ok folks, i have two outputs - one clean and the other dirty - going into an amp with one input. instead of adding a a/b/y switcher, can i actually use a stereo y-cable with 2 mono jacks to a stereo jack?

i am concerned over the use of a stereo jack with the mono input of most amps. will the two output actually work or one will be shut out due to the mono input?

thanks!
dani

 

[fingerace]

Re: a/b/y switcher -> stereo y-cable?

I think that won't work... but I may be wrong. I am 80% sure that two outputs cannot so simply be pit together into one...

 

[Artie]

Re: a/b/y switcher -> stereo y-cable?

You have several problems here.

1. If you plug a stereo plug into a mono jack, the "ring" terminal will be shorted to ground. Not good. What you want is a mono to mono Y-cable, but . . .

2. You don't even want that. The two outputs will be opamps or even discrete transistors. If one output happens to be going low, while the other goes high, you are effectively shorting out the power supply. (Even if its a battery.)

Due to the low levels involved, and the safety factor built in to most modern components, you could probably get away with this setup for years. Its just hard on components. It may only last a day.

One way to get around this is to buy a cheap Behringer mixer, (or similar). Actually "mix" the two signals together electronically.