Distortion when using mini stereo splitter

[Matkinson]

Hi all,

I’m a new member here seeking some help. I did some research on this topic but couldn’t find a distinct solution to my problem.

I’m trying to output my computer’s audio to two different audio systems, one is a pair of studio monitors and the other is a small bass amp that I have been using as a sub woofer.

From the monitors is RCA -> mini audio -> splitter -> computer

From the amp is a quarter inch/mini stereo cable -> y splitter -> computer

When both outputs are connected to the splitter, the monitors become distorted. Will I have more luck with an RCA splitter? Am I insane for trying to make this work?

Thanks,

Max

 

[GeoDragon]

The RCA option shouldn't be a problem, I have done this in the past before. The only issue I ever ran into was grounding issues from my MB that would add a slight distortion. The RCA jacks should be fine to use.

My old setup was from computer <----- 1/8 inch splitter to RCA <-------- 2 RCA splitters <------ Stereo A Highs <------ Stereo B Lows. It was rigged to hell but sounds good.

 

[robot zombie]

Shouldn't really be any problems there. I've literally got splitters feeding splitters feeding splitters over here. Might just be a bad one. If it's one of those super-cheapo ones that might be why. Might try getting one with thicker cables... ...hosa makes decent ones at a really good price. Those TRS-RCA splitters tend to lose connection at the TRS end when they're not well made.

A few years back I used one of these to get it done. It's an active splitter. Pretty cheap, but doesn't really noticeably degrade the quality. Not a bad option, assuming it actually is the splitter. Guarantees a good, normalized signal level to all of your input devices. It would at least clean up your cables and rule out a few potential issues.

Just to clarify... you're splitting the out from your computer to two sets of stereo RCA's with one set going over to monitors and the other run getting switched over to TRS for the bass amp, right? If so, that should work, in theory. The only issue I see is impedance... ...the line-level output may be too much or not enough push-pull for the input on the bass amp. The output coming from a bass guitar is very different from what comes out of your computer. There's actually a give and take between a bass and its amp, it's not so simple as signal goes from bass guitar to amp to speaker. They interact a little differently. I could see that *maybe* causing issues. It might be that the amplifier is causing weird load issues that affect the monitors. That's getting beyond my knowledge though. I just know that line level inputs and outputs like those on your computer and those on your speakers all have pretty universal voltage and impedance ranges that are quite different from instrument level stuff. There's a real electrical difference between the input on the bass amp and the rca's on a proper amped sub.

Does the amp have an FX loop you can route the output to? Might try that.

 

[micropage7]

Bad RCA cables or bad soldering or your cables crossing electric wires?

 

[Jetster]

This sounds familiar. Its the adapters, they just don't make them like they use to

 

[robot zombie]

This sounds failure. Its the adapters, they just don't make them like they use to

Heh, come to think of it, I think I tossed my first bad y adapter at least 20 years ago. Many more after that. Were they ever made well?

Nothing worse than a bad connector. Easy to test for though... ...surprised none of us thought to mention it. Go to every connector on every cable/adapter and gently wiggle them around. Spin them in the jacks and see if there are scratchies. That'll tell you right away if ones bad. You'll know... lol. Seems like a really basic thing but they randomly fail all of the time, without ever moving them or jerking them.

Certain types of connectors seem to fail more than others. 1/8" TRS connectors go so easily. They're small and fragile. 1/4" is not as bad but fails a lot, too. I think it has to do with the way the strain relief is designed on TRS cables and just... ...the way the terminals are placed putting them constantly under lateral strain no matter what you do. The weight of the cable hanging off pulls it apart slowly. Any twisting or even just gravity pulling perpendicular to the terminals inside the connector damages the stranded wire and/or solder joints. And very rarely is it good solder. Who knows how many of those things are crappy cold joints and really cheap lead-free solder. Your standard TRS cable is poorly designed and poorly made. Good TRS cables are hard to come by. They just aren't made to withstand gravity or movement very well, almost by design. Dunno why that is, but it's definitely a thing with TRS cables.

When you can, using angled 1/4" and 1/8" cables that are pointed straight down is best. It takes all of the strain off. I've yet to have an angled one with the wire properly fed go out on me. I went from replacing guitar cables every 3-6 months to using the same one for 2 years that way.

Just food for thought if a cable is bad. For y-adapters it's hard to find angled, but you can use an angle adapter for the single end coming out of the computer and going into the amp. The other two still benefit from being pointed straight down. Sounds absurd but it does help a lot ime.

What happens if you remove the splitter to the bass amp and go straight to the monitors? What happens if you leave the both splitters in the chain without actually connecting the bass amp?

What I'm really curious is just how well a bass amp would really work as a sub. I've never thought to try it.