Distribution Gadget
Need to feed a stack of stuff from a single source? You could try the daisy-chain, but you may end up with a ground loop, signal degradation or worse. What you really need to get a signal to multiple destinations is a broadcast-grade distribution amplifier. We poured some fresh ideas into the DA and called it, of course, the Distribution Gadget.
The Distribution Gadget allows a single source to drive multiple destinations. This is especially useful in broadcasting for connecting the studio output to an air chain, internet encoder, recording device, etc. The Distribution Gadget eliminates the ground loops and signal loss that often occur when directly attaching multiple loads to a source.
With four inputs (one pair for consumer -10dBV unbalanced sources and the other for +4dBu professional sources), the Distribution Gadget is ready for anything. Naturally, the unbalanced inputs feature the same exclusive ground (loop) breaking circuitry found on our Balancing Gadgets. You can even switch between consumer and pro sources on the fly with the front panel switch.
There are eight separate balanced line output amplifiers. Every output is fully isolated from the others, so if one destination has a problem — for example, a half-plugged connector shorting an output to ground — the other destinations are blissfully unaware and receive a perfectly clean copy of the source audio.
Each of the output pairs has its own mode switch. In the stereo position, the odd outputs are left and the even outputs right. In the mono position, the left and right inputs are summed and sent to both outputs. This is especially useful for creating a mono signal when your console only has stereo outputs.
With its direct-coupled, low-distortion, low-noise circuitry, the Distribution Gadget is sonically transparent. Tons of headroom too. Every output is capable of +24dBm. And our internal bi-polar linear power supply (no wall warts here) produces all the juice needed to deliver that pristine, perfect audio 24/7 for years. Recording-grade sonics, broadcast-grade durability.
Connectors can be controversial. Some like XLR, some like terminal blocks. We like the AES59 format, because it lets you choose whatever connector style you like. The Distribution Gadget’s DB-25 connector uses the hugely popular AES59 standard pinout, so you can use cables which fan out to XLR, or 1/4″ TRS, or even RJ45 StudioHub+. In fact, we include a AES59 to StudioHub+ adapter/breakout cable with every Distribution Gadget! So stop stripping wires and put those eight outputs right to work!