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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
P-SPLIT III
Page 2
Dear Musician!
Thank you for purchasing your LEHLE PSPLIT III!
I have been building units that switch,
split and route signals with no technical
compromises and with maximum musical fidelity since 1999. Your new LEHLE
P-SPLIT III comprises only the very best
components.
Every assembly of your LEHLE P-SPLIT III
has been made and tested in Germany.
Your LEHLE P-SPLIT III is of extremely robust design and construction, to make
sure that you get absolutely years and
years of enjoyment from it. If you should
nonetheless have a problem, or simply a
question, just mail me or a member of the
Lehle team at:
support@lehle.com
I wish you the very greatest pleasure and
success using your LEHLE P-SPLIT III!
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CONTENT
Introduction
4
Technical data
6
Unbalanced signal routing
6
Balanced signal routing
7
Preconditions for passive splitting
8
General description
10
Typical uses of the LEHLE P-SPLIT III as
splitter for two amps
13
compact passive DI box
14
line isolator – the universal cure for hum loops
15
recording splitter
16
reamplification box
18
balanced/unbalanced signal converter
19
passive summing box for stereo signals
21
LEHLE P-SPLIT III signal flow diagram
22
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The LEHLE P-SPLIT III combines passive
INTRODUCTION
splitting with the highest possible signal
fidelity.
Its applications range from splitting signals and eliminating hum, to balancing
and re-amping along with any signal
routing that requires a clean signal free
from noise.
At its core is the high-end LEHLE TR ANSFORMER HZ, which galvanically isolates
the two outputs, eliminating any possibility of ground loops. The LEHLE TRANSFORMER HZ was specially designed for
use with high-impedance signals but also
splits low-impedance signals with uncompromising sound quality. The signal
can be picked o either symmetrically or
asymmetrically from the ISO output.
strument to two devices, which may, for
example, be two amplifiers, or an amp
and a mixer/recording unit (PC/DAW).
Thanks to its ability to pick o the balanced signal on the ISO output, the LEHLE P-SPLIT III is also eminently suitable for
use as a high-quality compact DI box for
all types of signal.
Another useful application for the LEHLE
P-SPLIT III is as a hum suppressor. Frequently background noise, caused by
ground loops occurs when two electronic
devices are connected to each other. The
LEHLE P-SPLIT III provides a simple, but
extremely eective remedy when installed
between the two units. Using the ISO output, the devices are galvanically isolated
and background noise becomes a thing
of the past.
By using the phase inverter switch with
gold-plated contacts you can flip the signal phase at the ISO output, preventing
phase cancellation from impairing signal
reproduction.
The classic application for the LEHLE PSPLIT III is splitting an input signal to two
outputs, enabling you to connect an in-
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You can even use the versatile LEHLE PSPLIT III as a passive mono summing unit
for a stereo signal by using the DIR output
as second input.
And just in case you are looking for a
power connection: the LEHLE P-SPLIT
III performs all its functions without any
need for a power supply.
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TECHNICAL DATA
Weight 375 g
Length
Width
Overall height
Max Level
Total harmonic distortion
Frequency range
Input impedance
(transformer load impedance)
3.55“
3.6“
1.45“
+20 dBu (THD < 1%, 50 Hz - 20 kHz)
0.003 % (0 dBu, 1 kHz)
20 Hz – 100 kHz -0.1/ +0.4 dB
(source 600 Ω, load 1 MΩ)
min. 2 MΩ at 2 kHz
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UNBALANCED SIGNAL ROUTING
Unbalanced signal lines predominate
when instruments such as guitars, basses
and keyboards are used.
These signal lines have two conducting
cores.
The signal itself is present on the signal
conductor and is connected to the tip of
the jack plug.
The second core, which is connected to
the sleeve of the jack plug, screens the
signal conductor and constitutes the signal ground.
UNBALANCED SIGNAL ROUTING
Sleeve
Ground
Tip
Signal in phase
JACK JACK
Sleeve
Tip
Cable
Ground
Signal in phase
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Sleeve
Tip
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BALANCED SIGNAL ROUTING
Balanced signal lines are used to cross
larger distances without interference.
They are generally fitted with XLR connectors or TRS (Tip Ring Sleeve) jack plugs.
Here, three cores are required:
there are two signal conductors. In a balanced signal line, the signal is present in
phase at the tip, as in the case of an unbalanced signal line (XLR Pin 2).
The second signal conductor carries the
same signal, but with the opposite polarity or mirror-image phase (Ring, XLR Pin
3).
The third conductor is the screening,
and again constitutes the signal ground
(Sleeve, XLR Pin 1).
BALANCED SIGNAL ROUTING
JACK XLR
Sleeve Pin 1
Ring Pin 3
Tip Pin 2
Cable
Ground
Signal in mirrored phase
Signal in phase
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PRECONDITIONS FOR PASSIVE SPLITTING:
The LEHLE P-SPLIT III is a passive splitter
which can be used to split high-impedance signals to high-impedance inputs.
There are certain preconditions which
must be met to ensure that this is accomplished without problems and no loss of
sound.
HIGH-IMPEDANCE SIGNAL SOURCES
AND INPUTS
Passive magnetic pickups as generally
used - in the form of single-coil and humbucker pickups, on electric guitars and
basses - supply high-impedance signals.
High-impedance signals have an output
impedance in a range of 10 kΩ (10,000
Ω); the higher this figure, the more sensitive the signal is to interference.
High-impedance inputs are found on
guitar and bass amplifiers, and on sound
cards with a “Hi-Z” input; “Z” stands for
the impedance, which is the physical expression for the internal resistance of a
signal source or a signal input, and thus
defines its low/high-impedance performance.
High-impedance signals are generally
transmitted unbalanced and are relative-
ly susceptible to interference. Long cable
routings audibly attenuate high frequencies. Electromagnetic interference from
the environment then becomes more noticeable than in the case of low-impedance and balanced signals. There are,
nonetheless, very many musicians who
swear by the sound of an electric guitar
or bass with passive pickups connected
directly to a tube amplifier via a good
cable.
The input impedance of high-impedance
inputs is generally 1 MΩ (1,000,000 Ω)
or more. Here, too, the input becomes
more sensitive, the higher this figure is.
LOW-IMPEDANCE SIGNAL SOURCES
AND INPUTS
Keyboards, active pickups, preamp outputs, sound cards and mixers supply lowimpedance signals. The output impedance of such signals is typically 100 Ω to
around 600 Ω.
Low-impedance inputs predominate in
the line input of mixing desks, power
amps and sound cards with no Hi-Z inputs, and also in microphone inputs and
in virtually all balanced inputs. Low-im-
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pedance inputs have input impedances
of around 600 Ω to 10 kΩ.
WHAT IS POSSIBLE
The LEHLE P-SPLIT III can be used to split
the signal from an electric guitar or electric bass with passive magnetic pickups to
two amplifiers, each of which has highimpedance inputs. Please use the shortest, best-quality possible cables for this
purpose. You will hear the 100% original
signal on both amps.
Instead of an amplifier, you can also split
the signal to the Hi-Z input of a sound
card.
It’s important to remember: a high-impedance signal can be passively split if
you connect only high-impedance inputs.
You can split a low-impedance signal,
such as the output from a preamp, e.g.
the LEHLE SUNDAY DRIVER II or the output from a sound card, to a tube amp
with a high-impedance input and the lowimpedance input of a power amp. Since
the signal to be split is a low-impedance
one, you can connect low-impedance
and high-impedance inputs behind this if
you wish - there won’t be any problems!
WHAT IS NOT POSSIBLE
Audible sound losses will occur if you use
long cable routings from the passive guitar to the splitter and from the splitter to
the amps. The sum of all cable lengths to
the splitter and to the amps should generally not be more than 10m.
Your individual taste will ultimately decide, however.
Splitting your high-impedance instrument
signal to a low-impedance input, such as
the line input of a mixing desk, for example, and to a high-impedance input on
a tube amplifier using the LEHLE P-SPLIT
III will result in the high-impedance input
being attenuated by the low-impedance
input of the mixing desk. The signal will
become significantly quieter and will lose
presence.
Solution: these problems can be eectively eliminated by connecting a preamp
or a buer, which will convert the highimpedance to a low-impedance signal, in
the signal path.
The LEHLE SUNDAY DRIVER II, for example, can be used here.
INPUT
Hi-Z
Hi-Z
Hi-Z
Hi-Z
INPUT
Low-Z
Low-Z
Low-Z
Low-Z
DIR
Hi-Z
Low-Z
Hi-Z
Low-Z
DIR
Hi-Z
Low-Z
Hi-Z
Low-Z
ISO
Hi-Z
Hi-Z
Low-Z
Low-Z
ISO
Hi-Z
Hi-Z
Low-Z
Low-Z
!
!
!
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
ISO
6
P-SPLIT
MADE IN GERMANY
1. INPUT SOCKET
Connect your instrument or the output
from an eects unit or DAW here.
The input signal is fed into this socket.
The LEHLE P-SPLIT III operates entirely
passively.
The input signal remains connected to the
ISO and DIR outputs at all times, with no
semiconductors or any other active components in the signal path.
2345
DIR
1
Both balanced and unbalanced signals
can be split, since the LEHLE TRANSFORMER HZ is capable of handling both
types.
2. OUTPUT SOCKET
DIR
Connect the input of an amplifier or effects unit to be connected directly to the
LEHLE P-SPLIT III input here.
The input signal and its ground are present directly on the DIR socket. The signal
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from the DIR output is always the same
which is fed into the input (1).
If the input signal is unbalanced you will
have an unbalanced direct signal at this
socket. The same will occur with balanced signals.
Use the ground lift switch to find out for
yourself the position in which noise is
minimised.
5. ISO OUTPUT
ISO
Connect your amp or the audio input of a
DAW or a mixer here.
3. PHASE INVERTER SWITCH
The phase of the input signal from the
ISO output can be inverted if necessary.
This switch can be used to invert the
phase of the input signal from the ISO
output socket by 180°.
Splitting signals to two amps may sometimes cause phase cancellations, resulting, for most musicians, in a “thin” sound.
Inverting the phase eliminates this problem.
Experiment to find out which position you
prefer - as always, your individual taste is
what counts!
4. GROUND LIFT SWITCH
Connect the grounds of the DIR and ISO
output if necessary.
Pressing this switch connects the ground
conductors of the ISO and DIR outputs.
Connecting the ground conductors of the
DIR and ISO outputs can help in some
situations, depending on the units connected and on their power supplies.
The ISO output has an input signal which
is isolated by means of the LEHLE TRANSFORMER HZ.
A balanced or an unbalanced signal is
possible, irrespective of the type of signal
fed from the input.
6. BASE AND FIXING
If required, mount the P-SPLIT III to a
pedalboard using the mounting kit.
The P-SPLIT III can be mounted to a plate
such as a pedalboard using the two holes
in the bottom of the pedal.
You can find the optional LEHLE Mounting Kit V3 (order number 100981) online
at www.lehle-components.com.
To mount, undo the four housing screws
by using a 2.5 mm Allen Key and detach
the cover.
Then fix the device base to a base plate
using the two screws, the washers and the
spacers of the Mounting Kit.
Attach the cover and tighten the four
housing screws - done!
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For flexible solutions we recommend using 3M Dual Lock™ instead of Velcro for
stability, which you can also find in handy
sizes at www.lehle-components.com
If you are using the Velcro / Dual Lock™
method, please make a note of the serial
number on the bottom of the pedal before you cover it, in case you have a support question for us later and don‘t fancy
dismantling your board!
!
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TYPICAL USES
LEHLE P-SPLIT III AS A SPLITTER FOR TWO AMPS
DEVICE CONNECTION
ISO
DIR
P-SPLIT
MADE IN GERMANY
The LEHLE P-SPLIT III operates as a splitter for one instrument to two amps. Use
the shortest cables possible to connect
instruments with passive pickups to the
input of the LEHLE P-SPLIT III.
Most musicians find the sound of two amplifiers working in parallel extremely powerful and simply big.
DIR
ISO
Input
Output
Output Amplifier 2
Instrument
Amplifier 1
HOW TO DO THIS
1. Connect your instrument to the input
socket of the LEHLE P-SPLIT III.
2. Connect the first amplifier to the DIR
socket (2).
3. Connect the ISO socket (5) to the input
of the second amp.
4. Use the phase inverter switch (3) to determine which setting you prefer.
5. Use the ground lift switch (4) to find the
position at which noise is minimised.
6. There you go!
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LEHLE P-SPLIT III AS A COMPACT PASSIVE DI BOX
DEVICE CONNECTION
ISO
DIR
P-SPLIT
MADE IN GERMANY
The LEHLE P-SPLIT III can be used as a
passive DI box.
Balanced or unbalanced signals from the
ISO output can be fed.
A TRS/XLR adapter will be needed if you
want a balanced signal for an XLR input
(please also see “Balanced signal routing” on page 7).
HOW TO DO THIS
1. Connect your active instrument or the
output from a preamp or buer to the input (1) of the LEHLE P-SPLIT III.
2. Connect your amp to the DIR output
socket (2).
3. Connect the ISO socket (5) to the input
of your mixer or stage box.
4. Use the phase switch (3) to find out
which setting sounds better to you.
DIR
ISO
Input
Output
Output Input mixer,
Instrument (active)
Amplifier
stage box
5. Use the ground lift switch (4) to determine which position eliminates the most
background noise.
6. There you go!
The signal from a passive pickup cannot be split to an amp and mixer without
negative eects on your sound, since balanced inputs are usually low impedance.
The LEHLE P-SPLIT III functions excellently
as a neutral splitter and as a high-quality
DI box with instruments which have active pickups, and/or when another buer,
such as the LEHLE SUNDAY DRIVER II is
positioned between the instrument and
the input of the LEHLE P-SPLIT III.
!
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LEHLE P-SPLIT III AS A LINE ISOLATOR – THE UNIVERSAL CURE FOR
HUM LOOPS
DEVICE CONNECTION
Input Signal source
ISO
DIR
P-SPLIT
MADE IN GERMANY
ISO
Output Signal input
The LEHLE P-SPLIT III can be used in any
scenario to eliminate noise resulting from
ground loops or hum. Ground loops occur when units grounded by a protective
earth conductor (“PE conductor”) are
connected to each other.
The protective earth conductor and the
ground connection of the audio signal
create a loop which will pick up external
interference generated, for example, by
coils. Such interference will impair the
signal. The LEHLE TRANSFORMER HZ
included in the LEHLE P-SPLIT III galvanically isolates the ground connection. The
hum loop is thus broken at this point.
Both high- and low-impedance signals
can be fed, the LEHLE P-SPLIT III has no
problems with balanced or unbalanced
signals.
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In the above scenario, the LEHLE P-SPLIT
III is grounded via the signal source input. In some cases, it may be a good idea
to connect the ground to the other side,
in order to eliminate even more interference. To do this, simply swap the input (1)
and the ISO output (5).
HOW TO DO THIS
1. Connect the signal source to the input
(1) of the LEHLE P-SPLIT III.
2. Do not use the DIR socket (2).
3. Connect the ISO socket (5) to the signal input.
4. Use the ground lift switch (4) to determine which position eliminates the most
background noise.
5. There you go!
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!
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LEHLE P-SPLIT III AS A RECORDING SPLITTER
DEVICE CONNECTION
ISO
DIR
P-SPLIT
MADE IN GERMANY
It can be very useful, when recording guitar or bass, to record not only the amplified signal, but also the dry (unprocessed)
signal. This signal can then be routed in
the mix either to a real amplifier, or to a
digital emulator, for editing.
It’s also helpful to be able to hear your
accustomed sound from an amp while
recording the dry signal.
In this configuration, the LEHLE P-SPLIT III
again functions as a neutral splitter.
DIR
ISO
Input
Output
Output Sound card (Hi-Z)
Instrument (active)
Amplifier
HOW TO DO THIS
1. Connect your instrument to the input
(1) of the LEHLE P-SPLIT III.
2. Connect your amp to the DIR output
socket (2).
3. Connect the ISO socket (5) to the Hi-Z
input of a sound card or DAW.
4. Use the ground lift switch (4) to determine which position eliminates the most
background noise.
5. There you go!
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ISO
DIR
/
S
D
DI
P-SPLIT
MADE IN GERMANY
DEVICE CONNECTION
LEHLE P-SPLIT III
Input
Output LEHLE
SUNDAY DRIVER II
DIR
ISO
Output
Output
Amplifier
Sound card Low-Z
We recommend the use of a buer between the instrument and the input of
the LEHLE P-SPLIT III to convert the highimpedance instrument signal to a lowimpedance signal in cases in which your
sound card or DAW has no high-impedance input (Hi-Z) and you wish to record
the dry signal from your passive pickups.
The LEHLE SUNDAY DRIVER II is the perfect solution for this task.
SUNDAY DRIVER
MADE IN GERMANY
DEVICE CONNECTION
LEHLE SUNDAY DRIVER II
Input
Output
Instrument (passive)
Input
LEHLE P-SPLIT III
You can, of course, also use a balanced
input on your sound card or DAW to
record the dry signal. In this case, it’s a
good idea to take a balanced signal from
the ISO output of the LEHLE P-SPLIT III
(please also see “Balanced signal routing”, page 7).
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LEHLE P-SPLIT III AS A REAMPLIFICATION BOX
DEVICE CONNECTION
Input Signal source
ISO
DIR
(un)balanced
P-SPLIT
MADE IN GERMANY
Once you’ve recorded the dry signal, it
can be fed through an amplifier during
mixing; connecting the amp to the sound
card or DAW will almost certainly generate a ground loop, causing undesirable
noise.
This problem can be eectively eliminated using the LEHLE P-SPLIT III. The builtin LEHLE TRANSFORMER HZ galvanically isolates the ground connections, and
functions perfectly with both balanced
and unbalanced signals from a sound
card or a DAW.
HOW TO DO THIS
1. Connect your sound card or DAW to
the input socket (1) of the LEHLE P-SPLIT
III.
2. Do not use the DIR socket (2).
ISO
Output Signal input
(un)balanced
3. Connect the ISO socket (5) to the input
of your amp.
4. Use the ground lift switch (4) to determine which position eliminates the most
background noise.
5. There you go!
In this case, the LEHLE P-SPLIT III is
grounded via the output of the sound
card or DAW. It may, in some cases, be
a good idea to connect the ground to
the other side, to eliminate interference
noise. To do this, simply swap the input
(1) and the ISO output (5).
!
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LEHLE P-SPLIT III AS A BALANCED/UNBALANCED SIGNAL CONVERTER
DEVICE CONNECTION
Input Signal source
ISO
DIR
(un)balanced
P-SPLIT
MADE IN GERMANY
Some units feature only balanced inputs
and outputs, whereas others have only
unbalanced inputs and outputs. A LEHLE
P-SPLIT III can be used to connect these,
also enabling you to separate the ground
connection (see “Types of signal routing”,
pages 6 & 7).
ISO
Output Signal input
(un)balanced
HOW TO DO THIS
1. Connect the balanced or unbalanced
signal source to the input socket (1) of the
Lehle P-Split III.
2. Do not use the DIR socket (2).
3. Connect the balanced or unbalanced
signal input to the ISO socket (5).
4. Use the ground lift switch (4) to determine the position in which the most background noise is eliminated.
5. There you go!
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100 m balanced
ISO
DIR
/
S
D
DI
P-SPLIT
MADE IN GERMANY
DEVICE CONNECTION
LEHLE P-SPLIT III
Input
Output LEHLE
SUNDAY DRIVER II
ISO
Output
Amplifier
Unbalanced setups often include long
cable runs from a pedalboard to an amp
which, on large stages, can be some distance away.
Recording in a mixing room via an amp
located in a separate soundproof booth
will also necessitate long cable runs.
Long distances like these should be
bridged using balanced lines, in order to
keep interference as low as possible.
The solution is simple: use the LEHLE
SUNDAY DRIVER II to convert the unbalanced instrument signal to a balanced
signal.
SUNDAY DRIVER
MADE IN GERMANY
DEVICE CONNECTION
LEHLE SUNDAY DRIVER II
Input
Output
Instrument (passive)
Input
LEHLE P-SPLIT III
Up to 100m of cable can be connected
to the TRS output socket. The LEHLE PSPLIT III can be used at the end of the line
to convert the balanced signal back to an
unbalanced signal for input to your amp.
This system makes it possible to convey
the signal across great distances without
signal losses.
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LEHLE P-SPLIT III AS A PASSIVE SUMMING BOX FOR STEREO SIGNALS
DEVICE CONNECTION
ISO
DIR
P-SPLIT
MADE IN GERMANY
If you are using a complex stereo setup
but unfortunately there‘s only one amplifier available, it‘s possible to use the LEHLE
P-SPLIT III as a passive summing box for a
stereo signal.
Even for summing and isolating line signals sent by CD-players / laptops, connected to a mono monitor speaker without producing a ground loop, the LEHLE
P-SPLIT III can be used.
Please note that you will get best results
if you are summing two signals coming
out of one device (such as a stereo signal)
since the impedance matches.
If you are passively summing mono signals out of two dierent devices, it can
cause an impedance mismatch with the
DIR
ISO
Input
Output
Output Amplifier /
Left signal
Right signal
Monitor speaker
result that one signal is very low in volume
and presence.
HOW TO DO THIS
1. Connect the left side of the stereo signal to the input socket (1) of the LEHLE
P-SPLIT III.
2. Connect the right side of the stereo
signal to the output socket DIR (2). Here,
this socket is used as the second input.
3. Connect the ISO output (5) to the amplifier or monitor speaker.
4. Use the phase switch (3) to find out
which setting sounds better to you.
5. Use the ground lift switch (4) to determine which position eliminates the most
background noise.
6. There you go!
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ISO (5)
PHASE (3)
GROUND (4)
DIR (2)
INPUT (1)
LEHLE P-SPLIT III SIGNAL FLOW DIAGRAM
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LEHLE GmbH · Grenzstrasse 153 · 46562 Voerde · Germany
www.lehle.com · support@lehle.com
LEHLE P-SPLIT III OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS EN V1.0 · 2019-08-01
Copyright 2019 by LEHLE
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