ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

Although I regularly do it, I don't look forward to event videography, especially with live bands in/and unfamiliar venues. There is always the problem of getting a multi-track feed with not-always-friendly FOH guys at the helm (I understand their concerns). I traditionally take the insert outs of mixing consoles if they are there (and I'm permitted) on one extreme, or popping a Zoom H2 in the middle of the stage on the other if that's what I'm reduced to. Thinking for the longest time that there must be an alternative to these has led me to the ART S8. Presenting it to the FOH guys well beforehand makes it easier to interact with them and convince them that nothing in what I'm doing will in any way disturb the proceedings. In this, the ART S8 has well succeeded in making everyone happy: the FOH guys with the program, and me with my multi-track recording of the event, all without missing a beat. To tap into an event using all 8 channels, you will need 16 XLR cables: the original mics go into the S8, then the direct cable goes to wherever it must in the original scheme (main FOH mixer or stage snake inputs, etc), and the transformer out cable goes to the recorder (Zoom R16 in my case). Well worth it: no hiss, no hum, no attenuation, no boost, no power required; the mic out transparently goes to my recorder and to the FOH. Very good value as well; highly recommended (the -29dB attenuator enables line levels to be applied; I'm just puzzled why -29, not -20dB or outright -30dB).

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

I have been setting up a new monitoring system for a church worship band and needed a way to split the microphone signals. The ART S8 is the perfect solution. B&H has it at a great price, [...]I like the fact that I can keep the phantom power out of my monitor inputs, a PreSonus Firestudio. I haven't had to use the ground lift feature for this setup, but the building is very old and if I need it I'll sure be glad it's there.The only complaint I have is that it is too small. When mounted in my rack between some other equipment, it is so shallow that access to the rear plugs is tricky. Luckily I don't have to do that often, but if you do, then plan to leave some rack space open above and/or below it.I checked around for used pieces for a while, but they seem to hold their value really well! Buying new was not that much more, and if I ever switch it out for something else I know I'll get my money back out of it.

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

I bought this do some recording of our band. This is a solid unit, that sounds great at a good price. Would buy again.

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

This is just what is needed for splitting a signal for monitors or recording. With the ground lift and Pad buttons makes it very versatile.

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

I purchase to use on my church. We were tired of feedbacks in our monitors an purchased in ear monitors, but wanted a way to split all instruments. This unit was our solution, the band loves it. We can hear our instruments an enjoy our worship experience. Great gear

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

Works great and priced right.

It doesn't have every bell and whistle it could, but it also doesn't need a power source.

I'm a drummer and I use it to split signals to FOH and my stage mixer for in-ear monitoring. Ground lift is nice and sound is transparent.

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

The product worked as advertised right out of the box. Straight-forward operation, totally passive electronics (no power cable needed), clean signal chains.

The unit is built very well; solid metal housing & components. One drawback may be the weight, but durability is worth a little extra weight.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone running live sound. I have not used it in a 'professional' studio setting, but considering the passive and transformer-isolated design, I cannot imagine this unit introducing unwanted noise in a system.

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

We have purchased to of the S8's. We have other more expensive mic splitters but the S8's are as good or better. We use them to split mic lines between the FOH and Stage Monitor Mix in our church.

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

I recently purchased an ART S8 signal splitter in order to split stage signals for FOH and my in ear monitor rig. The out of box ease of use is awesome, totally plug and play, no external power config. required. The only downfall of this product is that it is so small in depth, requires having to reach far inside the rack to plug in the stage snake. This I can live with as it once hooked up, I can easily mix and hear exactly what I want in my in ear system.

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

We use 4 of these in a 32 channel splitter rack in a live PA system to main and monitor consoles. I hesitated to buy initially, thinking the build quality or transformer quality may be inferior due to the price point. I was pleased that it works really well, and the transformer quality seems to be just fine for our use. Also, the 8 channels saves rack space - other models package only 4 channels per unit. We like having the inputs on the front, and outputs on the back, so we leave the output snakes connected and rolled up in the back of the rack for use. This leaves the front of the rack uncluttered for ease of connecting inputs and labeling. Since we have only used it for a month, we'll see how it stands up to use over time, hence 4 stars. All in all appears to be a great product.

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

This 2-way splitter is an easy plug and play with great sound quality and built to last for not alot of money. Connect your mic cables to the splitter's mic inputs. Select switching for -29db pad for super hot signals (or for when you use a preamp on stage) and ground-lift if you have hum problems. The splitter allows phantom power to pass from your main console to your mic's via it's direct outputs, so you can still use condenser mics and phantom powered DI boxes on stage without needing separate power supplies. The isolated outputs connect to your monitoring or recording console. Sound quality of the 1:1 isolation transformers is amazing as no discernable noise or phase shift can be heard compared to the direct sound. Compare the cost of this ruggedly built, 1-rack space, 8-channel, 2-way mic splitter with the many others on the market, and you get high quality and performance for relatively low cost, and THAT'S VALUE!!

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

An inexpensive yet effective way to split your signal cleanly.

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

Was going to rent a bunch of audio units for an upcoming project, but with the price, just decided to buy this unit. Worked exactly as described, very nicely built, and the audio was very clean. No complaints about it. High recommended,.

Comments about ART S8 - 8-Channel Microphone Signal Splitter:

I purchased the ART S8 for a location recording project where I needed to send the stage mics to the front-of-house mix & my location Protools setup. It worked as advertised. I got the feed I needed for my recording & FOH got the feed she needed for the house sound. A good inexpensive solution. A nice addition to my location audio toolbelt.