You & Me is an active A-B Box that can switch two sources of different levels to a single output :
— An instrument or a harp microphone at guitar level.
— Another source at low level, requiring preamplification.
You&Me, *** version — 2021 project.
One concert night, I had on one side my electric Guild, on the other my acoustic Regal, and a common amp for both …
I would have needed an A-B Box that could handle these two different sources:
— The electric and its pedals should be able to switch directly to the amp.
— The lower level acoustic would need extra gain.
And I’ll tell you : My harp buddies who would like to use an old-fashioned bullet, and on the other hand a contemporary low impedance mike would have the same need !
Hence this active A-B Box switching two specific channels :
“You”, the low level channel, and “Me”, the high level channel : You & Me!
Main features
The push-button selects two specialized inputs:
• A direct “Me” input at guitar level.
• A high impedance “You” preamp input, with adjustable gain and a phase switch.
• The active component is a good Op Amp, equipped with a smooth overdrive circuit in case of overload.
• In version ***, the preamplified input features 3 presets:
Low level, Basic guitar, Bright guitar.
You&Me works ordinary between 9 and 18V.
(9V battery or 9 to 18V external power supply. 2.1mm coaxial socket, center negative).
• It works well with 9V. The best dynamic is between 12 and 18V.
• In all cases, an internal electronic filter eliminates hiss from switching power supplies and hums from poorly filtered transformer power supplies.
You&Me, basic version. Detail of the card.
2 versions
basic ***
Basic Version
Recommended for basic uses …
Particularly recommended for harmonica players …(cf. details below).
• The preamp channel features 0 to 20dB gain adjustment, and phase switching.
*** Version
Recommended for use with heterogeneous sources …
• The preamp channel features three presets:
Low level : to preamplify a dynamic microphone or any low level pickup.
Basic guitar : To preamplify bullet microphones, and most instruments.
Bright guitar : the same, plus a treble boost.
• When ordering, choose an acoustic instrument option (crystalline boost at 4KHz), or electric guitar / bass (sharper boost at 2KHz).
To order :
1. Choose between the two versions …
2. Specify if necessary the available option.
3. Specify the delivery area.
4. Click “add to order”.
5. Click <Basket> on the main menu to finalize …
You&Me
basic version
99 €
• Switches a direct channel or a preamplified channel to a single output.
• 0-20 dB gain control and phase switch on the preamplified channel.
You&Me, basic
You&Me
*** version
109 €
• Switches a direct channel or a pre-amplified channel to a single output.
• 0-20 dB gain control and phase switch on the preamplified channel.
• The preamplified channel also features 3 selectable presets :
Low level : to preamplify a dynamic microphone or any low level pickup.
Basic guitar : To preamplify bullet microphones, and most instruments.
Bright guitar : the same, plus a treble boost.
• When ordering, choose an acoustic instrument option (crystalline boost at 4KHz), or electric guitar / bass (sharper boost at 2KHz).
You&Me, ***
To know more
For harp players
The basic version is ideal for musicians who want to use both a low-level dynamic microphone like the Shure 545 or SM57, as well as the traditional high-level bullet …
With You & Me, they can have a standard level to enter the amp and get the desired crunch with each of the microphones …
The phase inverter will reduce the risk of feedback when the low level mike is used.
Other smart uses,
or how to enjoy the amplified channel …
You&Me as a preamp / buffer heading the pedalboard
Guitar is plugged into the preamp input (You), and the pedalboard chain on the output …
• The high impedance input prevents loss of level or dynamics.
• The gain is adjustable, depending on the instrument and the required output level .
• The phase is reversible. Usefull in case of feedback, or for a better control on monitors…
• The low impedance output feeds strongly the pedalboard, long or cheap cables …
You&Me as a solo booster
The instrument is connected to the direct input (Me). The preamp input (You) keeps free …
An internal switching routes the signal as desired:
• Push-button in “Me” mode : the instrument is directly switched to the output …
• Push-button in “You” mode : the instrument passes through the preamplified channel and is boosted according to the gain setting.
• The preamp has been developed to be musically overdriven.
It’s interesting with humbucking guitars and high impedance harmonic pickups..
Links
Technical notice (downloadable pdf)
Special harp technical notice (downloadable pdf)
