KLARK TEKNIK Square ONE Splitter 8-input / 3-output active signal splitter
The analogue audio splitter remains the most versatile and cost effective way of distributing audio signals to multiple locations, especially in a world where digital and analogue consoles are paired in Front of House and monitor configurations, and digital consoles employ different audio transport protocols.
The Square ONE Splitter provides a simple solution with a user-friendly, high-performance, MIDAS XL8 inspired pre-amp design, packaged in a 2U, eight channel format.
To increase versatility and provide additional value, a third set of transformer-isolated independent (fixed gain) outputs are provided plus the Square ONE Splitter's ability to function as a 1-16 media split.
Audio performance, as with all KLARK TEKNIK's units, are of a superlative standard.
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Square ONE Splitter - Front
Square ONE Splitter - Back
MIDAS XL8-inspired mic preamps
Designed by the same team who created the world's best live sound consoles with a huge dynamic range >140dB! With an extremely high CMRR accommodates input levels up to +22dBu.
9-position rotary gain switch per input
A simple 5dB resolution 'stepped' rotary control to provide gain adjustment for both main outputs from 0dB to +40dB to easily match any signal level (mic or line).
30Hz Hi-pass filter with switch and status LED per input
Eliminates unwanted subsonic information, increases headroom in the mixing console inputs, amplifiers and loudspeakers.
Inputs duplicated on front and rear panels
For convenient connection options, either internal to the patch rack, or directly into the front panel.
Transformer-isolated gain-independent outputs
Located on the front panel for easy connection of recording devices and outside broadcast facilities. Transformers provide superior galvanic isolation; fixed-gain status prevents unexpected changes in level during performances.
Front-panel and remote 48V switching with status LED per input
Phantom power activation can be switched remotely from the +48V supply on any mixing console connected to the electronically balanced outputs.
Solo buss with integral headphone amp and level control
Allows the mic amp performance and level to be monitored directly from the front panel. Also an invaluable aid when fault-finding in line systems.
1:16 media split function with front and rear panel status indication
Input 8 can be routed to ALL 16 rear-panel XLRs simultaneously via a single recessed switch on the rear panel. Ideal for press feeds and many other multiple-signal distribution applications
Separate ground lift switch with LED status indicators for each set of rear panel outputs
Eliminate hums, buzzes and other ground-related undesirable audio artefacts.
Individual 4-Segment LED output metering for each input
3 colours, easy-to-see instant status indication (-15, 0, +12, +21dBu)
Roadworthy (2U) all-steel chassis
Designed to withstand the rigours of the road.
Universal power supply
Auto voltage sensing, operates anywhere between 100-240V (±10%).
| Inputs |
8 (mic/line) |
| Type |
Analogue, electronically balanced, female XLRs (Pin 2 hot) |
| Maximum input level |
+22dBu |
| Input impedance |
5k ohms |
| Common mode rejection |
-80dB at 1kHz (typical), unity gain (0dB) |
| ratio (CMRR) |
-100dB at 1kHz (typical), maximum gain (+40dB) |
| Outputs |
16 (rear panel) |
| Type |
Analogue, electronically balanced, male XLRs (Pin 2 hot) |
| Operating level |
0dB |
| Maximum level |
+22dBu |
| Output impedance |
<50 ohms |
| Signal drive capacity |
<600 ohms |
| |
8 (front panel) |
| Type |
Analogue, transformer isolated balanced, male XLRs (Pin 2 hot) |
| Operating level |
-6dB |
| Maximum level |
+22dBu |
| Output impedance |
<75 ohms |
| Signal drive capacity |
<600 ohms |
| Headphone output |
1 |
| Type |
Analogue, TRS jack socket |
| Rating |
750mW (nominal 50 ohm load) |
| Terminations |
|
| Audio |
Front panel connectors |
| Channel input |
eight x AA series female XLRs (labelled "IN 1" to "IN 8") |
| Isolated output C |
eight x AA series male XLRs (labelled "TX OUT 1" to "TX OUT 8") |
| Headphone output |
one 1/4" TRS balanced jack socket |
| |
Rear panel connectors |
| Channel input |
eight x AA series female XLRs (labelled "IN 1" to "IN 8") |
| Electronic output A |
eight x AA series male XLRs (labelled "OUT A") |
| Electronic output B |
eight x AA series male XLRs (labelled "OUT B") |
| Power |
3-pin IEC |
| Performance |
|
| Frequency response1 |
±0.5dB (input to output), 20Hz to 20kHz |
| Distortion |
<0.02% @ 1kHz, 0dBu at unity gain |
| Dynamic range2 |
Electronically balanced outputs: >122dB* |
| |
Transformer isolated outputs: >140dB* |
| Noise floor3 |
Unity gain <-100dBu* |
| |
Mic EIN @ +40dB gain <-128dBu* |
| High pass filter |
|
| Filter frequency |
-3dB @ 30Hz |
| Filter slope |
12dB per octave |
| Power Requirements |
|
| Voltage |
100VAC to 240VAC ±10% |
| Frequency |
50Hz to 60Hz |
| Consumption |
<35W |
| Dimensions |
|
| Height |
88 mm (3.5"), 2U high |
| Width |
482 mm (19") |
| Depth |
200 mm (7 7/8") |
| Weight |
|
| Net |
4.5 kg |
| Shipping |
5.7 kg |
Midas XL8-inspired mic preamps
Designed by the same team who created the world's best live sound consoles with a huge dynamic range >140dB! With an extremely high CMRR accommodates input levels up to +22dBu.
9-position rotary gain switch per input
A simple 5dB resolution 'stepped' rotary control to provide gain adjustment for both main outputs from 0dB to +40dB to easily match any signal level (mic or line).
30Hz Hi-pass filter with switch and status LED per input
Eliminates unwanted subsonic information, increases headroom in the mixing console inputs, amplifiers and loudspeakers.
Inputs duplicated on front and rear panels
For convenient connection options, either internal to the patch rack, or directly into the front panel.
Transformer-isolated gain-independent outputs
Located on the front panel for easy connection of recording devices and outside broadcast facilities. Transformers provide superior galvanic isolation; fixed-gain status prevents unexpected changes in level during performances.
Front-panel and remote 48V switching with status LED per input
Phantom power activation can be switched remotely from the +48V supply on any mixing console connected to the electronically balanced outputs.
Solo buss with integral headphone amp and level control
Allows the mic amp performance and level to be monitored directly from the front panel. Also an invaluable aid when fault-finding in line systems.
1:16 media split function with front and rear panel status indication
Input 8 can be routed to ALL 16 rear-panel XLRs simultaneously via a single recessed switch on the rear panel. Ideal for press feeds and many other multiple-signal distribution applications
Separate ground lift switch with LED status indicators for each set of rear panel outputs
Eliminate hums, buzzes and other ground-related undesirable audio artefacts.
Individual 4-Segment LED output metering for each input
3 colours, easy-to-see instant status indication (-15, 0, +12, +21dBu)
Roadworthy (2U) all-steel chassis
Designed to withstand the rigours of the road.
Universal power supply
Auto voltage sensing, operates anywhere between 100-240V (±10%).
The Microphone Splitter shall provide eight (8) discrete audio channels in a standard 2U 19" rack mount chassis.
Each channel shall have a variable-gain microphone preamplifier feeding two electronically balanced outputs (identified as A and B, located on the rear panel). Additionally each channel shall have a parallel signal path with a fixed gain (-6 dB) driver feeding a transformer isolated output (identified as C, located on the front panel). The variable-gain microphone preamplifier on each channel shall provide a stepped rotary gain control with gain increments of 5 dB from 0 dB (unity) to +40 dB. The variable-gain signal path shall also include a 30 Hz high-pass filter, enabled by a switch on the front panel. This switch shall have an associated LED on the front panel to indicate when the filter is active.
The output of the variable-gain microphone preamplifier shall feed a four (4) segment LED bargraph, with indication for -15 dBu, 0 dBu, +12 dBu and +21 dBu.
Each channel input shall have a front-panel switch for +48V phantom power, and additionally shall be able to detect the presence of phantom power on its electronic outputs, and automatically enable the phantom power supply to the input on a logical-OR basis with the front panel switch. The front panel phantom power switch shall have an associated LED which indicates that phantom power is enabled on that channel's input, either by the switch being enabled, the presence of phantom power being detected on its electronic outputs, or both.
Each channel shall have a solo enable switch to route the output of the variable-gain microphone preamplifier to a solo bus which feeds a headphone amplifier. The solo enable switch shall have an associated LED to indicate when the channel is being routed to the solo bus. The headphone amplifier shall have a headphone jack socket for the headphones and a rotary level control for the headphones output.
The Microphone Splitter shall incorporate a Media Split function, providing a switchable function that routes the output from the Channel 8 variable-gain amplifier to all 16 electronically-balanced outputs, disconnecting the respective signal paths from the variable-gain amplifiers of Channels 1 to 7 inclusive.
Each set of eight electronically-balanced outputs (A and B) on the rear panel shall have an associated ground lift switch.
Each Microphone Splitter shall meet or exceed the following performance specifications:
Frequency response
± 0.5 dB (20 Hz to 20 kHz)
Distortion (THD+N)
< 0.02% @1 kHz, 0 dBu at unity gain
Dynamic Range
Electronically balanced outputs: >122 dB (22 Hz to 22 kHz unweighted)
Transformer balanced outputs: >140 dB (22 Hz to 22 kHz unweighted)
The audio connections for each of the eight (8) audio channels shall be via 3-pin XLR style connectors:-
Inputs: two parallel-connected female XLR connectors (one on the front panel and the other on the rear panel).
Electronic Outputs: two male XLR connectors on the rear panel.
Transformer Outputs: one male XLR connector on the front panel for each output.
The unit shall be capable of operating from a 100 to 240 V ±10%, 50 to 60 Hz AC power source.
The Microphone Splitter shall be the Klark Teknik Square One Splitter and no alternative option is available.
| Inputs |
8 (mic/line) |
| Type |
Analogue, electronically balanced, female XLRs (Pin 2 hot) |
| Maximum input level |
+22dBu |
| Input impedance |
5k ohms |
| Common mode rejection |
-80dB at 1kHz (typical), unity gain (0dB) |
| ratio (CMRR) |
-100dB at 1kHz (typical), maximum gain (+40dB) |
| Outputs |
16 (rear panel) |
| Type |
Analogue, electronically balanced, male XLRs (Pin 2 hot) |
| Operating level |
0dB |
| Maximum level |
+22dBu |
| Output impedance |
<50 ohms |
| Signal drive capacity |
<600 ohms |
| |
8 (front panel) |
| Type |
Analogue, transformer isolated balanced, male XLRs (Pin 2 hot) |
| Operating level |
-6dB |
| Maximum level |
+22dBu |
| Output impedance |
<75 ohms |
| Signal drive capacity |
<600 ohms |
| Headphone output |
1 |
| Type |
Analogue, TRS jack socket |
| Rating |
750mW (nominal 50 ohm load) |
| Terminations |
|
| Audio |
Front panel connectors |
| Channel input |
eight x AA series female XLRs (labelled "IN 1" to "IN 8") |
| Isolated output C |
eight x AA series male XLRs (labelled "TX OUT 1" to "TX OUT 8") |
| Headphone output |
one 1/4" TRS balanced jack socket |
| |
Rear panel connectors |
| Channel input |
eight x AA series female XLRs (labelled "IN 1" to "IN 8") |
| Electronic output A |
eight x AA series male XLRs (labelled "OUT A") |
| Electronic output B |
eight x AA series male XLRs (labelled "OUT B") |
| Power |
3-pin IEC |
| Performance |
|
| Frequency response1 |
±0.5dB (input to output), 20Hz to 20kHz |
| Distortion |
<0.02% @ 1kHz, 0dBu at unity gain |
| Dynamic range2 |
Electronically balanced outputs: >122dB* |
| |
Transformer isolated outputs: >140dB* |
| Noise floor3 |
Unity gain <-100dBu* |
| |
Mic EIN @ +40dB gain <-128dBu* |
| High pass filter |
|
| Filter frequency |
-3dB @ 30Hz |
| Filter slope |
12dB per octave |
| Power Requirements |
|
| Voltage |
100VAC to 240VAC ±10% |
| Frequency |
50Hz to 60Hz |
| Consumption |
<35W |
| Dimensions |
|
| Height |
88 mm (3.5"), 2U high |
| Width |
482 mm (19") |
| Depth |
200 mm (7 7/8") |
| Weight |
|
| Net |
4.5 kg |
| Shipping |
5.7 kg |
1 Measurement conditions: unit powered, all filters bypassed, unity gain and output terminated with 20k ohm balanced loads.
2 Measurement conditions: unit powered, both inputs terminated with 150 ohms, all filters bypassed, unity gain set to 0dB and outputs terminated with 20k ohms balanced loads.
3 Measurement conditions: unit powered, all inputs terminated with 150 ohms, all filters bypassed, outputs terminated with 20k ohms balanced loads.
* 22Hz to 22kHz un-weighted.
Introduction
In its very basic form, a splitter accepts mic/line signals and splits each signal for distribution to a number of different processing devices. However, more advanced solutions are required to cope with factors within a sound system that cause signal degradation and produce external noise and radio frequency (RF) interference. These factors include the number of splits required and the length of cable runs, and also the inherent problems imposed by the low level of the mic signal and multiple-grounding. The types of splitter and how they are designed to overcome these problems are discussed in further detail in the following subsections.
Click here to read the full article about Splitters.
