Press splitters are used to avoid the unsightly clutter that results at events such as press conferences, when every broadcasting organisation present tries to erect a microphone directly in front of the speaker, precisely where the cameramen would rather they did not. The splitter takes a small number of inputs from microphones or the local mixer and distributes the signal to a large number of outputs for use by the media. AudioPressBox offer a comprehensive range of active and passive types in stage box, floor-box, desktop, rack and wall mounting formats as well as portable, cased, splitters and kits.
For a very limited number of broadcasters and journalists it may be possible to provide a set of outputs using multiple microphone splitters. However, this technique quickly increases the load on a microphone to the point where the signal quality is affected. A dedicated conference splitter will reduce clutter, be more reliable and prevent inter-action between the connections made by the different members of the media. Alternative terms for press splitter include 'conference splitter', 'presidential bridge', 'press box', 'multi box' and 'press distribution amplifier'.
Active Splitters usually have microphone or line-level input(s), followed by an amplifier which then drives numbers of transformer-isolated outputs. They can generally provide many more outputs than passive types and, having onboard electronics, often include adjustable gain, metering, microphone/line output level selection, high-pass filters to reduce low-end rumble and compressors and limiters to control levels and prevent overloads. Since they rely on power to work at all, onboard batteries or redundant power supplies are positive benefits. Active splitters have individual outputs and sometimes outputs to feed 'expanders'.
These are built into heavy-duty, waterproof, moulded resin cases, intended for both indoor and outdoor applications. They have internal rechargeable batteries which can power the splitters for ten hours at full load, or can be used as standby power when using the external power-supply and charger.
All controls and connectors are fitted to a flat control panel screwed into the case. There is space at the rear for storing the (supplied) power supply.
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