Gold-plated Relays & Switches
The signal from the pickups of an electric guitar or bass is so weak that poor quality cable, cold joints and cheap contact materials ruin your sound. Switch contacts need to be make of special materials to prevent loss-free switching of these low-level signals. All Lehle switchers feature special relays and slide switches with gold-plated contacts for totally reliable, absolute zero-loss switching.
Lehle LTHZ Transformer
Hum loops and phase cancellation can occur as soon as the signal from an instrument is fed to more than one amp simultaneously. The one and only remedy for this is a high=quality tranformer. Standard transformers modify the tone of electric guitars and basses very severely, since they are not designed to handle the low-strength high-impedance signals genderated by instrument pickups. The Lehle LTHZ on the on the other hand, has been specially conceived for use with these high-impedance signals, preserving instrument tone and the interaction between instument and amp and eliminating hum loops.
No Hum Loops
Allo Lehle Products not featuring an LTHZ transformer switch the signal ground parallel to the signal itself via switches or relays with gold-plated contacts. Hum loops are thus errectively eliminated when switching backwards and forwards between different signal sources without, simultaneous activation of two amps.
Stereo
Many effects units feature stereo outputs, OR instruments frequently have two pickup systems, e.g. a combination of conventional magnetic and Piezo types, to emulate an acoustic sound. Lehle accessories are ideal for trouble-free routing of such dual-channel stereo signals. All stereo capable Lehle products are, of course, also suitable for mono operation.
FAQs
Q: What is galvanic isolation?
A: Background noise, generated by ground loops, occurs again and again when two electronic devices are connected to each other, and the Lehle Little Dual II provides a simple but extremely effective remedy when installed between the two units. The two devices are electrically isolated when the `A´ output is used, eliminating this background noise.
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 LTHZ transformer included in the Lehle Little Dual II galvanically isolates the ground connection. The hum loop is thus broken at this point.
Q: Does the galvanic isolation color my sound?
A: No, neither sound nor dynamics will be altered, the signal is passing the switcher without any loss in strength or frequency. We use our self-developed Lehle LTHZ transformers for this, the selection of high quality components guarantees a rich sound throughout the full frequency range.
Q: Is the signal suitable for a mixer/recorder? I would like to play thru my effects and simultaneously record a dry signal for later re-amping.
A: No problem, just make sure the mixer/recorder features a HiZ input, otherwise the instrument will sound flat and lifeless. Optional the output signal can be balanced by using a TRS to XLR connection.
Q: Can I use the Little Dual II for acoustic guitars with onboard preamp?
A: Absolutely! The switcher works passively and can handle all kinds of audio signals without distortion or loss, for weaker piezo signals as well as stronger line level signals.
Q: Can the Little Dual II be used as DI box since it has 14" sockets?
A: Yes, you get a balanced or unbalanced (mono-) signal from transformer-isolated output A when using a stereo (TRS) cable.
