Mono to stereo killswitch.

[Bipolar Joe]

I've looked at the various ways to create a killswitch, and haven't been able to make one do what I'd like. The goal is to have a single input split into two outputs (To hard pan each output). The outputs would have their own separate killswitches. So far, I've only managed to kill them both. I've only got mono plugs lying around, so I'm thinking I need a stereo input jack, right? Will that solve my problem?

[GibsonGM]

Well, kind of, Joe....depends what you want to do here, which wasn't that clear.   As you found out, mono >> mono is easy, just a simple switch. But if you were going mono >> stereo, you might need to do some conditioning.....why are you splitting your signal?

Sounds like 2 issues...1) split signal from mono to stereo and 2) kill switch(es).   If you want separate kills for "L" and "R", then it's 2 switches...easiest way to kill both is to kill the original mono input signal before it gets to whatever device you'll be using to get the stereo out.

[PRR]

> a single input split into two outputs ... separate killswitches. ...managed to kill them both. ... I need a stereo input jack, right?

Stereo jack isn't the issue.

Think what you are doing. Since we can't see electrons, picture a water analogy.

You have one faucet. You want water to two places. You use a "Y" connection.

Now you decide you do _not_ want water at output "A". It is very easy to cut hose A so that ALL the water in A goes to ground.

But now output B has gone dry! The leak-to-ground at A is shorting-off ALL the water to BOTH hoses. Because they are both on the same "Y" connection.

Yes, if the hoses are small and the "Y" is huge, a major leak downstream on A will cause very-little added reduction at B. But small hoses limit your maximum flow, so are often not the best choice.



There are several ways to do this better. One way that will work is two *double* throw switches as shown. When you press A, the A output is thrown from In to Ground, shutting-up A with hardly any effect on B. (B may get a wee bit louder, which may even be good.)

You "can" do this with single-throw normal-close switches, but then you must leave un-wanted outputs "open", and they tend to attract buzz and radio. It may work, or not, in different rooms, depending on wire placement and what other electricity is happening.

Stomp-worthy double-throw pushbuttons may be hard to find, but the gang around here probably knows what is available. If not, then relays can take a SP switch and do a DP choice, but that is a cost and power issue.

[Bipolar Joe]

I'll try explain a bit better, here.

The end goal is to have a small hand-held box, with on input. Signal splits into two, goes to two outputs (The end goal is to hard pan each output). Both will have killswitches, so I can shut off, we'll say the left one, with a momentary so output is just coming from the right.

PRR, are you talking something like this:



As you can see, art college was completely worth it.

[GibsonGM]

The "splits into two" part is what I was talking about. You might need a splitter.  Or maybe not, depending on what is being driven.

This looks pretty simple...if I was doing this, I'd build this (look at 2nd pic down, with only 2 FETs not 3): http://www.muzique.com/lab/splitter.htm    This is your split into two.    2 momentary switches which ground the output get you your killswitch effect.    Maybe this is overkill, but I KNOW this will work wonderfully, and will also buffer your signal.  It can be done passively, but I don't care for that all that much, that's just me.


This IS for taking one guitar signal and sending it to two amps or something, right?  IOW, not true stereo, correct?

[Bipolar Joe]

Yeah, not true stereo. The two outputs will be going into my mixer and then hard panned, with the mixer output going to two amps.

[PRR]

> art college was completely worth it.

Got your money's-worth there.

You have  apparently already tried the one source into two loads thing, so I've assumed this works OK.

A naked guitar into a mixer may suck bad, worse with two mixer inputs involved. That's one skinny faucet into two big hoses. However many of your pedals also buffer, and a fair number can drive two mixer inputs, so a splitter may not be needed.