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line splitter/mixer

i'm in need of either a reversible ab/y box or an analog 'mixer' (thinkhttp://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/DOD-VAC240-Resistance-Mixer?sku=150102) to use more than 1 instrument on a single amp. the problem is, with every line splitter/mixer i've tried and/or made, my passive bass volume gets cut a lot when i plug in a keyboard (which is what i want to do- microkorg & bass into 1 amp. and if possible, 1 instrument to 2 amps). i've tried the simple Y cable, i've made my own 'morely' AB/Y box (active 9V), and i've even tried using the high and low impedance inputs on my amp simultaneously. but i always get the dreaded volume and tone cut. can someone point out a good enough mixer/splitter to handle this? or will the DOD be enough?
 
i don't recall any kind of additional circuit in it, so i take it the 9V was just for the LEDs.

since a passive splitter won't do, what about something along the lines of a small unpowered mixer - ala Invalid Link Removed? would something like that do?
any other suggestions are welcome- just try and keep it under $100 US.
 
i'm definitely going to check that out.
does anyone know if there are any decent ones on this page? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navi...rs?N=100001+304609&Ns=P_Price|0&g=live&page=1
i'm going to guitar center/sam ash soon and i want to have options just in case they don't stock that Rolls.(royce:smug:)

edit: also, i have an ashdown c410t as my main rig- and i can past the volume cut this method brings during practices, but would it hurt my amp to have a bass plugged into the passive (high) input and a keyboard plugged into the active (low) input? or perhaps even the effects return? or would the impedance mis-match kill my amp?
 
I use a Boss LS-2. It's great. It can be used for 3 or 2 in to 1 out (discreet or mixed), 1 in to 3 or 2 out (discreet or mixed), or 1 instr. w/ 1 or 2 efx loops. I can plug anything into it with no problems:
MM's, Passive P and J, EB-3, Upright w/high impedance Realist pickup, keyboards.

I use it for 2 basses into 1 amp, or I use it for for mixing a dry signal with my distorted signal.

There's a level control for each loop. It has a green light for channel A and red light for B. Simple to use and effective. It's definitely on my MVP list.

It also has a power output, like the TU-2 tuner, so you can use it to daisy chain other Boss-like pedals.
 

Ok, confusion clearing begins now.

For starters, musiciansfriend are boneheads. Right, so with that out of the way...

"Unpowered" is a deceptive description prone to misinterpretation, it actually refers to a mixer that does NOT contain a power amplifier. Almost all of the mixers in that category DO require power. None of them contain a power amplifier.

Now, an "unpowered" mixer in the other sense, ie; that it runs without power or batteries, is a passive device. As we've discussed, passive devices won't do what you require, you need an "active" or, if you will, a "powered" device. (But not "powered" in the sense that it has a power amplifier!)

Ok, so recap, "passive" or "resistive" is no good for your purposes. "Active" or "buffered" is what you want, so no matter which way you brush your hair, you'll need something with either a power supply or batteries.
 
OK. There are different options:

In order to use 2 instruments alternatively: Radial BassBone, Boss LS2, Barge Concepts VFB
In order to use 2 instruments together: Boss LS2, Barge Concepts VFB

All of them are buffered ("active").
All of them have possibilties to cut or boost levels in some way.

A small mixing desk (together with a high impedance DI Box for the passive bass) would do the trick.
 
Hey you Boss LS-2 dudes: How does this box sound with passive basses? Does it load the snot out of them a la Behringer mixers? I have a cheap mixer I plug into for teaching and it makes passive basses sound as if you've completely rolled of the tone knob! Total impedence snafu!

Is the LS-2 happenin' for passive basses?

Thanks,

Ian