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A DI (direct injection) Box is designed to take the unbalanced signal from a musical instrument (or unbalanced microphone) and convert it into a balanced signal which can travel through the audio system without picking up stray noise from nearby electrical equipment and wiring.
Being aware of when to use a DI box can be found on this page
It also converts a stronger ‘line-level’ signal from a musical instrument (guitar, piano etc) to a lower signal strength so that it doesn’t swamp the smaller microphone signals travel along adjacent wiring.
In addition, the DI Box acts as an isolation barrier between the device on the floor and the mixer ensuring that any incorrect/dangerous signals from a faulty instrument don't damage the mixer and vice-versa (eg. ensuring incorrectly applied phantom power doesn't damage the instrument).
Connections
Connections
The instrument or microphone is plugged into the DI Box using either a 6.25mm / ¼ inch jack or XLR plug.
There is a 20dB cut switch to reduce the input signal, if required, and stop the instrument overpowering the box.
There is also a ‘link’ output which can pass the signal into an amplifier on stage if desired.
On the other side is the balanced XLR output which can be plugged into a mixer, recorder or studio wallbox.
There is a power switch: the box can be powered by a 9V battery or by sending phantom power from your mixing desk.
A ‘Lift/Earth’ switch removes hum caused by earth loops - when equipment at both ends of the cable is earthed - but it doesn’t work if you are using phantom power.
Written by RW
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