Y-box (or is that an A+B box) wiring?

[BassWombat]

Sorry for the total newb question, but I'm building a very simple A+B box. I'm a bass player using a Unibass and I want to run the effected line out through a couple of effects before rejoining it to the unaffected bass line. I figured (hopefully correctly!) that all I need to do is have a simple box with two input jacks and one output jack. I'm just not sure which bits of the jacks I join together... do I need to connect tip-to-tip, ring-to-ring, sleeve-to-sleeve or a combination of the above!!!

Thanks in advance from someone struggling with some very basic electronics!!!!!

[Peter Snowberg]

Welcome to the forum.

Unless it's an active bass with two outputs, I would suggest building the splitter/blender project over at http://www.runoffgroove.com/ and if it is an active bass, I would suggest building the blender portion of the Splitter/Blender.

If there are two outputs on the bass, are they at different levels?

[BassWombat]

Thanks Peter!

I think it's even more simple than you describe. The Akai Unibass is a pedal that splits your signal - one is left as is, the other is an octave up to which you can add a 5th and then some distortion (effectively a rhythm guitarist playing along). The pedal can be used via the standard output (in which case it combines the two paths itself) or via two outputs. The twin output approach is meant to be better as you can use your own distortion pedal (or indeed any other pedal) before it hits an amp. Many recommend actually sending this line to a guitar amp. I've actually tried it using one of those cheap plug adaptors (two females into one male) and it works okay, so all I'm really trying to do is make one of those in a box - and teaching myself to solder along the way!).

So I think it is as simple as which wires connect to which bits of the jacks...

[Peter Snowberg]

Ah.... I see.

It might be as simple as putting a 10K in series with each output and connecting the junction of the two resistors to the output.

You could also try something like a 20K or 50K pot with each end connected to one of the inputs and the wiper connected to the output.

Anything passive will vary depending on the impedance of the outputs and the next input. Your mileage will vary depending on the equipment used.

For an active solution, see "summing amplifier" in any circuit collection.

[BassWombat]

Ahhh, okay... I think I understand that. Back to the original bit: do I need to connect tip-to-tip, ring-to-ring, sleeve-to-sleeve etc on the various jacks (sorry that I'm still struggling with the basics :oops: )

[petemoore]

The best way I've figured out jacks and switches and plugs is using a DMM and 'Spock Logic' to get a mental picture of what the signal connectors and routing is doing.
 I take one step at a time..I may test tip to tip on a cable, then plug the cable in the jack and see what goes where and what 'doesn't' go where, pull the plug and repeat...anything except mono jacks can decieve me without a DMM shedding light on the routings...write your own switching/connecting scheme as you test the signal routings.
  Quote: do I need to connect tip-to-tip, ring-to-ring, sleeve-to-sleeve etc on the various jacks ?
 Without knowing where the tips rings and sleeves are intended to go...I tend to just say yes...or...you can send stereo signals using stereo jacks and plugs...sleeves of course probably will be grounded, so that designates the sleeve connections, the rings and tips would be used ITC to carry separate signals.