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How to Convert a Tube Pre-Amp From Mono to Stereo

Many tube pre-amps are mono because they are designed to amplify microphones which record down the center on both channels. If you wish to have more control over the "pan" or left and right division of your audio recording, or wish to split the microphone signals to go to two outputs, you will want to use a "Y" cable to do this. Using a "Y" cable will allow you to separate your one signal into two with minimal loss of quality or signal strength.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/4 to XLR adapter
  • 2 1/4-inch mono cables
  • 1/4-inch "Y" splitter cable
  • Console board
  • 2 XLR cables
  • Microphone
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plug the 1/4-inch male part of your 1/4-inch "Y" adapter into the 1/4-inch output on your XLR-to-1/4 inch adapter. Many tube pre-amps are for microphones. Because microphones are mono, you do this to split the signal in two.

    • 2

      Plug your XLR-to-1/4 inch adaptor into your XLR cable. Your XLR adaptor has a female XLR port, so it will need to plug into the male end of your CLR cable.

    • 3

      Plug the female end of your XLR cable into the back of your pre amp. There should be a jack labeled "Output."

    • 4

      Plug the male end of your XLR cable into the "Input" jack behind your tube pre-amp.

    • 5

      Plug the female end of the XLR cable that is going into your pre-amp, into your microphone.

    • 6

      Plug one 1/4-inch mono cable into each of the 2 outputs on your 1/4-inch Y adapter.

    • 7

      Plug the other end of your 1/4-inch cables into your console board. One cable should go into the "L" or left, and one should go into the "R" or right. It does not matter which goes where. You will be able to pan between left and right from here.

    • 8

      Turn on your pre-amp and test your microphone by speaking into it. You should now be able to record a left and right version of your microphone audio.

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