Swiss Army Mixer-
6-to-1-to-6 Mixer Splitter
Figure 9 shows how to use
two
SM 26B’s
to create a 6‑to‑1 mix then a 1‑to‑6 split‑
ter, to drive the six channels of two MA 3
amplifiers. In just six rack spaces, this
configuration creates a complete six‑
channel mixer zone amplifier system.
The controls of the first SM 26B are used to condi‑
tion and mix the six Mono Input signals while the
controls of the second SM 26B are used to set the indi‑
vidual Levels of the six amplifiers.
4-Channel Stereo Splitter
Don’t get into the mind trap of thinking of the SM 26B
as only a mono splitter mixer. It can function equally
well as a stereo splitter mixer. Figure 10 shows how to
configure the SM 26B as a 4‑channel stereo splitter.
The stereo Input pair is brought into the Left and Right
INPUT jacks and then routed via the MIX pots to all of
the Outputs. By setting Channels 1, 3 and 5 for full Left
mix and channels 2, 4 and 6 for full Right mix, you split
the incoming signal into 3 stereo output pairs available
from OUTS 1 & 2, 3 & 4, and 5 & 6 respectively. The
4th stereo Output pair is taken from the Left and Right
MIX OUTPUT jacks as shown. (Note: use of the 4th
independent stereo output requires an internal jumper
modification.)
Stereo mixing is done in the exact opposite man‑
ner. Up to 4 stereo pairs are brought into all Inputs
by connecting one pair to the Left and Right INPUT
jacks and the three remaining “lefts” to Channels 1,
3 and 5, and the “rights” to Channels 2, 4 and 6. Now
by rotating all odd PAN pots fully CCW(Left) and all
even PANs fully CW(Right), you have mixed all 4 pairs
down to 1 master pair available at the Left and Right
MIX OUTPUTs.
Guitar Racks
Figures 11‑13 show three possible ways to connect a
guitar amp to multiple effects. Figure 11 involves buy‑
ing or building a cable that parallels all of the inputs
of the effects so one loop output drives them all. This
works and should cause no great difficulty if the output
impedance of the amplifier loop is low. Outputs of 1k
ohms or less should be able to drive as many effects de‑
vices as you would ever want. A second amplifier could
be used from the other Mix Output of the SM 26B for
stereo.
Figure 11. Guitar Effects Mixer
MONO IN
MONO IN
MONO IN
SM 26B
2
6
5
4
3
1
GUITAR AMP
FROM
GUITAR
LOOP SEND
LOOP RETURN
R
R
L
R
L
L
EFFECT 1
EFFECT 2
EFFECT 3
Figure 9. Mixer Splitter
Figure 10. Four Channel Stereo Splitter
LEFT INPUT
SM 26B
SM 26B
6
5
2
4
3
1
LEFT MIX OUTPUT
RIGHT MIX OUTPUT
RIGHT INPUT
MA 3
MA 3
6
6
5
5
2
2
4
4
3
3
1
1
LEFT INPUT
1
2
3
4
5
6
SM 26B
RIGHT INPUT
LEFT OUTPUT
RIGHT OUTPUT
STEREO PAIR 1
STEREO PAIR 2
STEREO PAIR 3
STEREO PAIR 4
STEREO
INPUT
PAIR