<p>Technically if you want to be sure that you are getting the highest possible audio quality you need a pre-amp that you can use to split the signal. But the effect is going to be very small.</p>

<p>When you split a signal you are relying on the impedance of the two input devices being high, and the output impedance of the source being low, and everything being even across the frequency spectrum. Most modern equipment has high input impedance and low output impedance, so that's generally fine–you will get a couple of dB drop because you're splitting the signal across two outputs–but what could go wrong is that you will get e.q. shifts because the impedances might not be perfectly flat across the whole range of frequencies.</p>

<p><strong>However</strong> it is unlikely to cause much of a problem for recording interviews, most likely it would only be a real issue if you were recording something like musical instruments. In an interview things like the room acoustics are going to have a far greater effect on the audio quality. Either way, a splitter cable is only going to cost a few bucks, so it's worth a test. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-19T15:31:48.970Z
You could, in theory, also use a distribution amplifier. But most of the affordable, portable ones are line level only, so you are right back to needing a pre-amp.
Michael Liebman
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-19T04:54:35.160Z
Don't wireless lavs output at line level? I'm pretty sure mine does.
stib
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-20T01:42:38.220Z
To be honest, I haven't dealt with analog audio in several years and microphones in even longer. I took quick look at some specs and it seems that there is a mix of output levels. So a DA would be an option and mic pre might not work, depending on its input and output specs.
Michael Liebman
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-21T06:10:23.187Z
Good point. I wouldn't use a splitter with a mic output, that would probably cause problems.
stib
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-19T07:32:19.487Z
2017-11-19T07:32:19.487Z
stib
<p>In the past I have been using a wireless lav for interviews recorded directly to my DSLR (Canon 60D).  I recently switched to a double audio system using my Zoom H4. </p>

<p>One  suggested setup was to channel the wireless lav directly to the Zoom then to split the headphone audio out of the Zoom to both the headphones and the DSLR audio for reference. However, this means the DSLR audio level changes if the headphone volume is adjusted. </p>

<p>If instead I split the audio coming out of the wireless lav to both the Zoom and DSLR audio (Rather than splitting the output of the headphone jack), then the audio levels could be adjusted appropriately and wouldn't change.  Will that degrade the audio quality? Is that recommended? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-18T19:01:19.093Z
"Will that to grade are you a quality?" Not sure what that means.
Michael Liebman
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-19T07:37:47.913Z
I changed it to say "Will that degrade the audio quality", if that's not what you mean please revert.
stib
<dslr><audio-recording>
Can I split audio before it gets to my sound recorder?
Wes Modes
# Can I split audio before it gets to my sound recorder?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-11-18)

In the past I have been using a wireless lav for interviews recorded directly to my DSLR (Canon 60D). I recently switched to a double audio system using my Zoom H4.

One suggested setup was to channel the wireless lav directly to the Zoom then to split the headphone audio out of the Zoom to both the headphones and the DSLR audio for reference. However, this means the DSLR audio level changes if the headphone volume is adjusted.

If instead I split the audio coming out of the wireless lav to both the Zoom and DSLR audio (Rather than splitting the output of the headphone jack), then the audio levels could be adjusted appropriately and wouldn't change. Will that degrade the audio quality? Is that recommended?

**Tags:** dslr, audio-recording

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: "Will that to grade are you a quality?" Not sure what that means.  
> **username_2**: I changed it to say "Will that degrade the audio quality", if that's not what you mean please revert.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-11-19. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Technically if you want to be sure that you are getting the highest possible audio quality you need a pre-amp that you can use to split the signal. But the effect is going to be very small.

When you split a signal you are relying on the impedance of the two input devices being high, and the output impedance of the source being low, and everything being even across the frequency spectrum. Most modern equipment has high input impedance and low output impedance, so that's generally fine–you will get a couple of dB drop because you're splitting the signal across two outputs–but what could go wrong is that you will get e.q. shifts because the impedances might not be perfectly flat across the whole range of frequencies.

**However** it is unlikely to cause much of a problem for recording interviews, most likely it would only be a real issue if you were recording something like musical instruments. In an interview things like the room acoustics are going to have a far greater effect on the audio quality. Either way, a splitter cable is only going to cost a few bucks, so it's worth a test.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You could, in theory, also use a distribution amplifier. But most of the affordable, portable ones are line level only, so you are right back to needing a pre-amp.  
> **username_2**: Don't wireless lavs output at line level? I'm pretty sure mine does.  
> **username_1**: To be honest, I haven't dealt with analog audio in several years and microphones in even longer. I took quick look at some specs and it seems that there is a mix of output levels. So a DA would be an option and mic pre might not work, depending on its input and output specs.  
> **username_2**: Good point. I wouldn't use a splitter with a mic output, that would probably cause problems.  

---

