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Mixing multiple stereo audio sources without a mixing board

#1
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1/5/08 at 7:20am
  • Joined: December 2007
  • Post Count: 2
Hello,

I would like to mix 4 audio sources into a single output. The sources are just standard stereo RCA sources, that I would like to mix into a single audio output destination.

Is there anything other than a mixing board that could do that? I don't need to change the volume on any of the sources. I just need the audio mixed.

I have tried using splitter cables, but these don't behave as expected. When one device is turned on, the mixed signal lowers in volume, and this magnifies the more devices are turned on. When one device is turned off, the signal boosts approximately 200% for each device turned off.

Could someone direct me to a device or cable category that would achieve the same effect as a mixing board but without the additional cost and size?

Thanks.
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#2
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1/5/08 at 7:57am
  • Joined: June 2000
  • Location: Colorado
  • Post Count: 7,505

Re: Mixing multiple stereo audio sources without a mixing board

I'm thinking not, though I don't completely understand what you are saying the problem is. Often I find people confuse the terms "input" and "output". I can see why multiple destinations would lower the volume of the signal, but not multiple sources. Anyway, it sounds like the signal needs buffering, which is part of what mixing board does. I can also see you ending up with a lot of noise.


They flutter behind you, your possible pasts.
Some bright-eyed and crazy, some frightened and lost.
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#3
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1/5/08 at 9:51am
  • Joined: December 2007
  • Post Count: 2

Re: Mixing multiple stereo audio sources without a mixing board

Thanks for the reply.

Really the goal is to have alerts on several different computers and other audio sources to be mixed into a single output. That means, many different audio sources, one set of speakers (a home stereo). I currently have a very low-end mixer installed to do that task, but I would primarily like to get rid of the clutter in a very constrained space.

Is there any stand-alone device that does the kind of buffering you are referring to, in a small package?

Thanks.
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#4
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1/6/08 at 9:18am
  • Joined: May 1999
  • Post Count: 1,363

Re: Mixing multiple stereo audio sources without a mixing board

Alternatively, do they need to be stereo?

The "easy" way would be to get a receiver/amp that has an analog 5 or 6 channel input, and run one line from each source into that.

I don't know anything specifically that'll do what you need, but places to look would include:

Rane (lots of rack-mount gear; including some very small mixers.)
Whirlwind (I know they have "microphone combiners" - these are the audio snake people)
Mackie / Spirit / and someone else all have very small mixers - larger than the tiny Ranes, though.
RDL - Radio Design Labs - has a lot of interesting tiny little widgets, including tiny mixers.

When I say "tiny mixer," I'm generally referring to something smaller than a trade paperback. Some are more in-line with an old Beta Home video cassette.

The device you need almost certaintly needs to be "active" - it needs to buffer the different outputs from eachother.

Leo
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