{"id":16986,"date":"2022-01-17T17:49:43","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T17:49:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/radialeng.local\/?page_id=16986"},"modified":"2023-10-06T20:14:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T20:14:02","slug":"what-is-a-direct-box","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.radialeng.com\/what-is-a-direct-box","title":{"rendered":"What is a DI?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What exactly is a Direct Box?<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\nA DI box, also called a direct box, converts the unbalanced<\/a>, high impedance <\/a>signal output of an instrument to a balanced low impedance mic-level signal.
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\nThis enables the signal to travel distances of 100 meters (300 feet) without adding appreciable noise. The output of a DI box is mic level \u2013 thus the balanced output signal is treated just like a microphone. When playing live, the mixing console is usually positioned in the house (front of house or FOH position) which is often 50 to 100 meters away. Most instruments such as bass guitar, acoustic guitar and keyboards are connected to a DI box and mixed at FOH. For the sound engineer, capturing the direct sound of the instrument separately from being processed by the artist on stage usually makes it easier to amplify the signal as it can be optimized for the room.\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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‘Balanced’ \/ ‘Unbalanced’<\/h3>\n<\/dt>\n
Balanced audio signals have a much higher rejection of noise and interference, and use XLR or \u00bc\u2033 TRS connectors that carry two signal conductors per channel. Unbalanced audio signals, such as those used by guitars and pedal effects over \u00bc\u2032 TS cables, are more susceptible to noise and should only be run for short distances.<\/dd>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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‘Impedance’<\/h3>\n<\/dt>\n
Is the total opposition to electrical flow, measured in ohms. Guitar and amplifiers use signals that are known as HI-Z, or high-impedance, while pro audio devices like direct boxes and mixers work with Low-Z, or low-impedance signals.<\/dd>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Why do I need a DI Box?<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\nA DI box is primarily used to allow you to run a long cable from an instrument such as an electric guitar or bass guitar without adding noise or losing signal quality. High impedance signals tend to be much more prone to noise and keeping cable lengths under 8 meters (25 ft) is recommended.<\/p>\n

In the studio, recording from a separate room (isolation booth) enables the engineer to capture a direct sound from the instrument using a direct box in addition to adding a mic in front of the amplifier to capture the tone generated by the amp. When recording in the control room, you may or may not need a DI box, depending on the tone you are looking for. Most mixer inputs have a \u2018one size fits all\u2019 type of instrument input that may not flatter your particular instrument. A good DI box is optimized to interface with your mixing desk or recording system by presenting the instrument with the right input impedance and converting it to a balanced signal ideal for the console or interface. This can take the edge off the instrument for a smoother, more natural sound. Using a good DI box in the studio also allows for a clean recording of the instrument signal which can then be later played back for Reamping<\/a>.\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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‘Reamping’<\/h3>\n<\/dt>\n
A creative process that takes any recorded audio signal (typically a guitar track) and sends it back through a guitar amplifier or pedal chain to be recorded a second time. This can be used to make subtle changes to the signal or employed as a unique sound effect.<\/dd>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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