{"id":14727,"date":"2022-01-17T17:48:53","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T17:48:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/radialeng.local\/?page_id=14727"},"modified":"2025-07-28T20:33:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T20:33:08","slug":"comparing-direct-boxes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.radialeng.com\/comparing-direct-boxes","title":{"rendered":"Comparing DIs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The direct box is a device that has been around for nearly 50 years, but only recently have folks begun to really pay attention to how they work or which type will do the best job for a given task. At Radial we pride ourselves in making a wide variety of DI boxes to suit every budget and application.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Comparing Passive DIs for instruments<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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When comparing passive DI boxes, begin by considering the instrument or audio source, the number of channels required for a particular setup and the feature set. You will find that most passive DIs share features such as an input pad and a ground lift. All Radial DIs have built-in filters to reduce parasitic noise caused by magnetic fields and radio frequency waves.<\/p>\n

The primary difference between the various models is the type of transformer that is employed. We spend hours listening to various transformers to find the best one for a given application and price point. For instance, the industry-standard Radial JDI<\/a> employs a USA-made nickel core transformer with dual Faraday shields and a MuMETAL\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong> external can. MuMETAL\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong> provides upwards to 10,000 times greater shielding than aluminum. This combined with the steel outer shell protects the sensitive high impedance signal from outside magnetic fields from power transformers that can pollute the signal.<\/p>\n