JIB/R RCA Combiner (JIBR)

This box is perfect for the right application. Here's some tech info because the manual isn't totally clear.First, this is not a "direct box". If you need an unbalanced-to-balanced converter to take a stereo line signal and run it 100+ feet, this is not the right product. But this is also significantly cheaper than anything with a transformer in it. While this has XLR and 1/4" TS outputs, they are not balanced.On the other hand, if you need to mono sum stereo or 3 or 4 line level signals, that's exactly what this box does and similar solutions are surprisingly hard to find. You should never use a Y-cable to combine multiple outputs to a single input - this box uses a resistor network to do it the right way. As a bonus is has DC-blocking capacitors so you don't have to worry about phantom power from the soundboard blowing up your device's headphone jack.

No it doesn't have an internal amp or transformer. No - no volume or tone controls, No it won't give you stereo output. And, no it won't power your Luke Skywalker replica light saber. It will, exactly as described, take a stereo input, combine the stereo L/R signals into a monophonic signal and output that (monophonic) signal via two clearly-marked output ports to the amplifier or recording device of your choice. Recently used to provide stereo-source music to a large outdoor event via a PA amp and several widely-space speakers (which, without this combiner would have had large portions of the audience listing to only the left or right stereo channel) - worked perfectly.

Who knew reliably converting a stereo line signal (headset in this case) reliably down to mono was a little trickier than splitting a mono signal to stereo.I have this to use one of the (stereo) headset mixes on my Zoom LiveTrak L12 to feed a ReAmp box to re-amp my (mono) raw guitar recording (I can only get it out as a stereo signal ...) in my home studio. As my ReAmp box expects a balanced line, I use the XLR connection; plus meanwhile it is nice to know it also has an unbalanced 1/4 output available.Nice little bit of kit for my application.

BTW: I got the RCA Combiner - why the put these different things together as one product I don't know.Does the job it is supposed to. KUDOS for them making and selling this, when NOBODY else seems to be doing it!Pros: It exists. If you want to hook your phone or mp3 player to a mono input (guitar amp... mono pa input...) you NEED this!!!Cons: This should be built into a cable for ninety-nine cents. It is CRAZY to have it exist as a piece of equipment for tens of dollars...But... I didn't want to solder my own resistance bridge... And this is the ONLY product I could find for sale that does it!!!It works perfectly...Again... If you have something with a mono 1/4" input (like, say, a guitar amp or PA channel or gear) and want to hook up a stereo cell phone or mp3 player or whatever... you gotta have something like this. Or you'll blow or distort your stuff, if you're not lucky.

It's a simple fix for several AV/LiveSound issues. If you're running a Mono system, this lets you use a single channel for a stereo device (2 actually). tape/CD decks, computers, iPods, handheld recorders typically have RCAs, and those cables are always handy. I prefer an RCA to 1/4 inch, but they're not always at arms reach, and it doesn't solve the stereo/mono issue. It also let's you put 2 devices on a single channel if you have a smaller board. Lastly, many boards have RCA inputs for CD/Tape/Computer, but they don't let you EQ them or assign them to sub buses. It's just a convenient device to have around, especially for smaller boards and when you don't need stereo (like in a general PA setup).NOTE: this is a passive device, so it should be as close to the device and board as possible to avoid interference