Audio Splitter for podium

Can anyone recommend a splitter that we can purchase that will allow us to run wireless mics and an ipad through the sound system in the chapel? We had a GA visit and we had to switch the audio cables throughout a training meeting. There has to be an easier way. Any ideas and thoughts would be appreciated.

It sounds like what you need is an audio mixer instead of a splitter. How many wireless mics are you using?

The wireless mics go through a mixer. We need to figure how to have the mixer board and the ipad go through and share a single audio jack.

Technically, what you need is a combiner. However, you'd have better control if you ran the iPad though the mixer as well.

Most chapels have multiple mic input jacks. Could you just connect the wireless mic receiver to one of them and leave the ipad connected where it is presently?

CalS201 wrote:Most chapels have multiple mic input jacks. Could you just connect the wireless mic receiver to one of them and leave the ipad connected where it is presently?

Since this isn't a sacrament meeting, you can probably re-purpose the sacrament mic. Just be sure to put it back and test it when you're done.

Something like this I always carry around in my car.

https://www.amazon.com/Seismic-Audio-Sl ... B00B4FRZ0I

I'm not endorsing it just came up on the first search of Amazon.... But combine a couple of mic's into it and either use the XLR input or the RCA inputs on the podium. I've had so many variations in chapel stand setup that I just keep a 4-channel mixer around and use it rather than try and setup in several places on the stand.

dence wrote:Can anyone recommend a splitter that we can purchase that will allow us to run wireless mics and an ipad through the sound system in the chapel? We had a GA visit and we had to switch the audio cables throughout a training meeting. There has to be an easier way. Any ideas and thoughts would be appreciated.

Yes, there is an easier (and standard way). Prior to a GA visit, a letter is typically sent to the ecclesiastical leader of the host unit(s). This letter indicates the dates, times, and will typically instruct the unit on things to prepare for the visit. This will include AV needs. The FM groups, or their Regional groups, are authorized to acquire the necessary equipment. In the US and Canada, these needs are typically 4 wireless microphones, 1 lapel, and 3 handheld. A GA wireless microphone kit exists, which FM/RFM groups can order, and loan out to stakes as needed for GA conferences, or other stake conferences if there are no conflicting GA needs. The kit includes the 4 wireless mics, receivers, and Auxiliary input, and an audio mixer, and cords to connect to power, and the sound system.

Some additional notes:
1) That the kit offering is relatively new, so, FM/RFM groups may have other equipment that does not exactly match this list, but fulfills the same needs.
2) The primarily purpose of the kit is to serve the GA's so, FM/RFM groups are not authorized to order it for stakes, but can after acquiring it lend it to them.
3) Even after acquiring, if a GA is visiting, a stake at the same time as a stake conference, the GA would receive priority for it's use, and the other stake would have to do with out, even if arrangements had been made with the FM/RFM well in advance. (Ie, if one is available don't expect it will always be available).

StevePoulsen wrote:Prior to a GA visit, a letter is typically sent to the ecclesiastical leader of the host unit(s). This letter indicates the dates, times, and will typically instruct the unit on things to prepare for the visit. This will include AV needs.

Wow. If only that were true. I have yet to find out about a GA's real AV needs prior to their arrival; or it's too generic to be useful, like, "We will need a projector and screen for Sat." What they failed to say was, "I have all the videos on my Netbook and we need the adapters and connectors for both sound and video to interface with my particular Netbook model." (True story.)

Including AV needs is good, I'd love to see the note mentioned above sent along as well. One issue with only sending this to the stake president is the 'lost in translation' information. I think a separate note to the stake clerk and STS and really help is know that resources are available from FM to support these requirements.

Here, If you do not have VGA, USB, or HDMI out, you need to provide your own cable from your device. We can usually connect whatever is at the end of your cable into our system, but we do not keep cables that connect to devices. Everyone has a different cell phone/tablet/whatever device.

Of course, if we were ever to receive specific information from a visiting GA, we could always run out to the store on Saturday morning and get something, I suppose.

johnshaw wrote:Including AV needs is good, I'd love to see the note mentioned above sent along as well. One issue with only sending this to the stake president is the 'lost in translation' information. I think a separate note to the stake clerk and STS and really help is know that resources are available from FM to support these requirements.

Sadly, I can not help here. communications to the Stake President reside squarely in the ecclesiastical channel.

StevePoulsen wrote:Sadly, I can not help here. communications to the Stake President reside squarely in the ecclesiastical channel.

In actual practice, we find that most general authorities show up and review technological capabilities/desires during the initial meeting with the stake presidency. Based on our normal schedule, that gives us about an hour to transfer/download any specific videos or AV presentations.

And without exception, all have said they knew how to work a chalk and eraser board, if needed. And all who have been outside of the country will regale us with stories of teaching entirely by the Spirit, with nothing to get in the way.

To address the topic, we do not use an audio splitter for the podium. Whatever goes through the chapel sound system, be it pulpit mike, wireless or other handheld mike, choir mikes plugged into the building sound system, or organ, also goes out on the Webcast. Devices plug into the system through a crab box or, in newer setups, through inputs at the side of the pulpit.

StevePoulsen wrote:

johnshaw wrote:Including AV needs is good, I'd love to see the note mentioned above sent along as well. One issue with only sending this to the stake president is the 'lost in translation' information. I think a separate note to the stake clerk and STS and really help is know that resources are available from FM to support these requirements.

Sadly, I can not help here. communications to the Stake President reside squarely in the ecclesiastical channel.

But there is a second mechanism, the mailing list to clerks. Knowledge of this Kit is pretty important and should be disseminated.... Not to stake presidency, but to the clerks and STS.

What I did in my stake center (with the blessing of my facility manager), is I rerouted the pulpit microphone to another mixer. Plugged into that mixer a wireless microphone system (that is permanent in the chapel), added inputs for 3.5mm audio from key locations in the chapel (pulpit, stake clerk desk, pulpit controls pedestal). The output of that mixer is then fed back to the pulpit where the pulpit microphone originally is plugged in.

This works very well for our needs, and requires no changes on a event level basis for different functions.

rl_albright wrote:What I did in my stake center (with the blessing of my facility manager), is I rerouted the pulpit microphone to another mixer. Plugged into that mixer a wireless microphone system (that is permanent in the chapel), added inputs for 3.5mm audio from key locations in the chapel (pulpit, stake clerk desk, pulpit controls pedestal). The output of that mixer is then fed back to the pulpit where the pulpit microphone originally is plugged in.

I do something like that for stake conference. Normally the podium mic is connected direct to the sound system as usual. One less thing to go wrong.

russellhltn wrote:

rl_albright wrote:What I did in my stake center (with the blessing of my facility manager), is I rerouted the pulpit microphone to another mixer. Plugged into that mixer a wireless microphone system (that is permanent in the chapel), added inputs for 3.5mm audio from key locations in the chapel (pulpit, stake clerk desk, pulpit controls pedestal). The output of that mixer is then fed back to the pulpit where the pulpit microphone originally is plugged in.

I do something like that for stake conference. Normally the podium mic is connected direct to the sound system as usual. One less thing to go wrong.

The only difference for us is.... this is permanent in our building. So anyone can use it, without me having to set it up prior for them. (The beauty of why I did it this way.)

As long as the added mixer doesn't become a problem (not powered up, someone turned off the podium input, etc.)

The important thing is that your FM group is OK with it. Doing it without that their OK will create problems down the road.

russellhltn wrote:As long as the added mixer doesn't become a problem (not powered up, someone turned off the podium input, etc.)

The important thing is that your FM group is OK with it. Doing it without that their OK will create problems down the road.

I understand your concerns, it has been running just fine (*knock on wood*) for about 2 years now. The wireless microphone system has a relay system put into the power cord so that a small button enables the power at the podium control pedestal. The mixer I specifically selected because it is designed to stay powered on. The mixer is in a secure area, where a normal person would not be able to turn it off. And the whole system functions fluidly with the existing sound system.

rl_albright wrote:What I did in my stake center (with the blessing of my facility manager), is I rerouted the pulpit microphone to another mixer. Plugged into that mixer a wireless microphone system (that is permanent in the chapel), added inputs for 3.5mm audio from key locations in the chapel (pulpit, stake clerk desk, pulpit controls pedestal). The output of that mixer is then fed back to the pulpit where the pulpit microphone originally is plugged in.

This works very well for our needs, and requires no changes on a event level basis for different functions.

Please do tell, what mixer (that can stay on all the time) are you using?

It is a TOA mixer/amplifier. Similiar to what the buildings use.

(Fun fact, the sound system amplifiers are always powered on in the building, the button at the pulpit control pedestal just turns off the output to the speakers.)

rl_albright wrote:(Fun fact, the sound system amplifiers are always powered on in the building, the button at the pulpit control pedestal just turns off the output to the speakers.)

Depends on the install. I think the ones I've seen will power up the rack if either the chapel or cultural hall systems are turned on. And I think the prior version of our sound system may have stayed powered up all the time, but the current one does not.

russellhltn wrote:

rl_albright wrote:(Fun fact, the sound system amplifiers are always powered on in the building, the button at the pulpit control pedestal just turns off the output to the speakers.)

Depends on the install. I think the ones I've seen will power up the rack if either the chapel or cultural hall systems are turned on. And I think the prior version of our sound system may have stayed powered up all the time, but the current one does not.

Okay, I am speaking from MY experience. My stake center has an OLD sound system that the FM group refuses to upgrade anything. (It is the Ivie 884+ Matrix Audio Switcher.) I looked it up, the last operating system compatible with it was Windows 95, (it states it MAY work with Windows 98, but it is untested.... WOW ) In are setup the 3 amplifiers stay powered on 24/7.

russellhltn wrote:

rl_albright wrote:(Fun fact, the sound system amplifiers are always powered on in the building, the button at the pulpit control pedestal just turns off the output to the speakers.)

Depends on the install. I think the ones I've seen will power up the rack if either the chapel or cultural hall systems are turned on. And I think the prior version of our sound system may have stayed powered up all the time, but the current one does not.

Ours is as russellhltn describes. When someone turns the sound system on or off in either the chapel or cultural hall, a loud mechanical click sound comes from the audio rack.

For the suggestion someone had of using multiple microphone input jacks in the chapel: If you do this, make sure you figure out in advance how these are set up. Sometimes multiple mic jacks are on the same channel. Also, I've seen situations where some jacks are programmed to only let the strongest signal through. I believe this was for noise control...like if someone was walking around with a corded or wireless mic and someone's speaking at the pulpit. The system may shut off the weak signal that comes from moving around, breathing, bumping, etc. until someone starts to speak. I think it was something related to automatic gain control, but I don't remember. I don't think our current system does that, but I believe and older one had some channels that did that.