The PBR XSplit8 mic splitter was developed with the core belief that mic signals should be able to be split and routed as transparently as possible with minimal noise and signal degradation. After evaluating several “off-the-shelf” transformers, we found that the best way to meet this goal was to develop our own custom transformer; the BLASPLT2 — eight of which are included in every PBR XSplit8.
The resultant transformer delivers exceptional bandwidth and phase accuracy, with a flat response from 20 Hz to well above 20 kHz.
The main benefit of this — whether you’re capturing vocals, drums, or delicate acoustic sources — is that these transformers preserve the full character and detail of the original signal without adding unwanted noise, distortion, or color.
Precision, custom transformer winding
Our winding techniques are a major part of what sets the BLASPLT2 transformers apart. Each winding is precision layered and tension controlled to reduce leakage inductance and ensure tight magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary coils. This not only improves frequency response and transient accuracy vs. off-the-shelf mic splitter transformers, but also ensures consistent performance across production batches. This makes for tighter transformer matching across production runs, ensuring that all PBR XSplit8s will perform predictably and consistently.
Mic cable noise rejection
Combined with an electrostatic shield between windings, the BLASPLT2 offers excellent common-mode rejection, essential for eliminating hum, buzz, and ground loop issues in complex setups. High CMRR (common mode rejection ratio) means the transformer is far better at rejecting unwanted noise picked up equally on both conductors of the cable; something that becomes increasingly important as the cable length grows. Standard transformers often lack the winding precision and shielding needed to maintain consistent CMMR across a wide frequency range, especially in demanding field or live sound setups.
Transformer core materials
We tested multiple blends of core materials and developed one specifically optimized for microphone-level signals. By tuning the permeability and saturation characteristics of the core, the BLASPLT2 achieves ultra-low distortion even under high load conditions. These cores handle high input levels gracefully without introducing harmonic artifacts, maintaining a clean, transparent signal path from input to both outputs.
Transformer shielding
What further sets BLASPLT2 transformers apart is the use of a mu-metal shield around the core. This high-permeability magnetic shielding protects the transformer from external electromagnetic interference, which can come from nearby power supplies, lighting systems, wireless gear, or even other rack equipment. The mu-metal shield is particularly effective in crowded racks or live stage setups, where it ensures that interference is rejected before it ever reaches the audio signal — preserving the noise floor and maintaining pristine isolation between outputs.
We hope you enjoy the PBR XSplit8 as much as we enjoyed developing it!
