Combing channels from a 3.5mm stereo jack to mono

[Greg C.]

I linked to it in my original post.

[Wynnd]

I found a mini-phone plug to two XLR cable at Guitar Center.  Works fine with airplay or devices.  Probably need to watch out for phantom power, but I don't use that very often.  (Actually one of the things I don't like about the mixer.  Think phantom power should be restricted to the first bank, channels 1-8.  Wonder if there's an easy way to change that after my warranty ends.) 

[stevegarris]

I suspect the Whirlwind model has a better transformer which means flatter frequency response and less distortion - especially with hotter input levels. Typically the cheapy transformers, like in cheap DIs and line level isolation transformers, tend to saturate at lower frequencies and add distortion. But the PI probably works fine based on Road Ranger's observation.

I'll let you know, I've got one coming.

Another test today:

I compared the PI transformer cable against my Radio Shack stereo to 1/4" mono cable using various recordings on the iPod.  The results; They both sounded exactly the same. Full fidelity, no distortion, same input level, same output volume.

[robbocurry]

However, I'd totally opt for a simpler cable solution if anyone has a less cumbersome suggestion than a DI box.   

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ISOPOD

Thanks.   I hadn't seen that before... Slick.

Looks great, bit expensive though compared to a DI box.

[gtrdudes]

This one is $10 cheaper and has a volume control. Works great.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LTIBLOX

[WK154]

According to the specs this is a mono (single) channel 3.5mm to TRS converter and states nothing about combining two channels (stereo). I find a lot of recordings to be dual mono anyway (mono compatibility) which makes all this converting meaningless and for the few that are true stereo combining the two channels before speaker output looses the whole effect anyways. It does however combine all sounds, a simple setting in the iPad.  In your typical gig (a mono environment) it's pointless unless you have true stereo music for playback. It only makes sense in a home theater environment and in a specific designated location (sweet spot). L is the conventional input for a stereo setup if you have a mono source for equipment that has the facility. The DL only requires one input channel and directs sound according to your output setup.