Audio Splitters/Mergers

Double Cross is an impressive piece of gear, particularly for $129 retail. The engineer must enjoy puzzles, as I can only image the electronics involved to have it do all that it does. Double Cross is a true-bypass Router that connects 2 inputs, 2 FX Loops, and 3 Outputs in various configurations. You can hook up to 2 amplifiers or PA/mixer/Interface with its built-in Preamp and Cab sims, making for an Ampless solution. And if that wasn’t enough, Double Cross has a Reamp function. Now, it is not easy to describe all the above adequately, and so, I recommend viewing the demo below, but I will cover some basics and my views. The Preamp is incredibly clean and clear, and even when turned up full, it has only a modest breaking-up quality. This makes for an impeccable pedal platform when recording direct to DAW, going to a PA, etc., although there is an option to bypass the Preamp (e.g., if using a preamp in one or both of the FX Loops). You also can bypass the Preamp when going direct to an amplifier, but also an option to run the onboard Preamp to one an amp’s FX Return (thereby bypassing the amp’s own preamp). There are no tone controls in the preamp, as any EQing is to be done pre or post – it is simply clean and clear with a lot of headroom. The Cab sims are as impressive as those found on Tweedle Deux, another multi-functional platform from Liberatoe. However, Double Cross has three Cabs from which to choose: Jensen, Eminence, and Celestion, together with Presence, Resonance, and Level controls. I have limited experience with cab IRs, but have some favorites that I think sound great, but the quality of the Cab Sims found in this unit is more impressive, more responsive, and highly adjustable with the controls. They sound ‘real.’ The Cab Sims bypass the amplifier outs, but are available in the DI out. The Routing function covers just about any scenario possible (there may be one out there not covered, but I can’t think of it). You can have two guitars, with two pedalboards, and two amplifiers (or one of each if desired). In fact, you also can hook up the DI Out to a PA, etc., although the wattage, internal controls, etc., of the amps vs. the DI may differ enough that that scenario may not be practical (to achieve equal levels). I managed to do it no problem with a 5-watt Peavey Mini-Colossal, but that’s different than a 100-watt Mesa Boogie. Nonetheless, imagine one guitar with its pedalboard and amp being able to switch boards and amps with a click of a switch, then keep that new board and switch back to the original amp with another click of a switch. And then consider that with another guitar player and his rig. Double Cross! This makes for a wide variety of tone possibilities with two live players, although that complexity is possible with one player when switching to a different guitar; think single-coil vs. humbucker and the combinations. Although that may not be on everyone’s bucket list, also consider that a single user has the ability to discover various tones and combinations in real time, or those gear reviewers (particularly tag-team reviewers) who can switch things up without unplugging or exchanging guitars. For myself, and possibly for some other users, there are a few options with Double Cross that I find even more usable and very cool. Using a TRS stereo cable, the Tip signal goes to one pedalboard, whereas the Ring signal goes to another pedalboard. You then can switch among two pedalboards and two amps with one guitar. Another Routing option with one guitar, and using a standard Mono TS cable, is the ability to run your gear in STEREO. The Output signal goes to two amps, and each amp is assigned a pedalboard (FX Loop). Maybe nothing out of the ordinary, but you can switch which amp receives which pedalboard, for some very interesting textures and tone qualities (and depending on the flavor of the amps, their EQs, etc.). Another common usage would be to have a simple setup, like one amp and one pedalboard, but two guitars plugged in for a fast exchange without having to unplug one guitar and then plugging into another. Of course, in that situation you can have two pedalboards as well. Some other routing possibilities are included in the demo video. And I should add that if not using an amp, then similar combination results are conceivable via the DI Output (minus running two amps in stereo). Reamping (taking a previously recorded dry signal and running it through Double Cross) is more advanced than I’ve seen in the usual gear choices out there. The signal can run through one of two pedalboards and out to an amp for mic’ing, or Direct Out while using the onboard Preamp and Cab Sims. Likewise, you can use the internal Preamp and go into your amp’s Return during this process. But this can enter a new level if passing a recorded signal through one Input (which is modulated by a pedalboard), while a guitar plays live though another input; the guitar can play through an amp, while the pre-recorded signal goes DI to a PA, for example. Some other features include an Aux-In, so that you can add external sources like a smartphone, tablet, etc., which is mixed with the guitar/effects signal and output via the DI Out. And any and all cable requirements have been covered, accepting TR, TRS, and XLR. The DI Out is XLR only, and so a proper cable is required for that. All the above combinations and more are selected via slide switches on both sides of the unit, as well as having a DI ground-lift and a Reamp ground-lift. Double Cross can be powered with 9V-15V (center-negative), requiring 20mA or more current consumption. And just like Liberatoe’s Tweedle Deux, this is another awesome Swiss Army Knife for a musician or sound engineer’s toolkit.