{"id":67457,"date":"2020-11-12T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-12T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=67457"},"modified":"2020-11-16T11:03:58","modified_gmt":"2020-11-16T17:03:58","slug":"passive-vs-active-direct-boxes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/67457-passive-vs-active-direct-boxes\/","title":{"rendered":"Pro Audio: Passive vs Active Direct (DI) Boxes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this installment of Pro Audio you’ll learn about the passive and active DI boxes and some of the most popular options on the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a DI Box?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A direct box (sometimes referred to as a direct input box) is used to convert an unbalanced high-impedance signal<\/a> (like the output of a guitar or keyboard) to a balanced low-impedance signal at microphone level. This prevents noise from being added over longer cable runs. At its core, a DI is essentially a transformer that uses electromagnetic induction to pass signal from the input to output without hard wiring. As a result, ground loops and electrical noise are eliminated since the audio signal is isolated between input and ouptut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most DI boxes are outfitted with one input and two outputs\u2014one as an output to your console, PA system, or audio interface, and the other as a thru-output. The thru-output can be particularly useful if you want to use a guitar amp while simultaneously capturing the direct signal out of an instrument. And just to reiterate, the output of a DI is at mic level, so you will need a mic pre to bring it up to line level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Active vs Passive DIs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 What is a Passive DI box?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a passive DI box, no power is required in order for the audio signal to convert from high-impedance to low-impedance. Since there is basically just a transformer and no active circuitry, passive DI boxes offer a more pleasant distortion compared to their active DI counterparts. In a passive DI box, a smooth and saturated tone will be produced as the transformer is driven harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be noted though, that passive DIs are not ideal for lower output instruments like older basses and electric guitars. Often times these vintage instruments have relatively low output, and the lack of active circuitry in the passive DI means that there simply isn’t enough power to boost the weak signal. However, passive DIs are a great choice for higher output instruments like electric keyboards, synths, and guitars that use batteries to drive their pickup outputs. This is not to say that a passive DI box can’t <\/em>be used with vintage instruments, your mileage may vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 What is an Active DI?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In contrast to passive DIs, active DIs require a power source. In most cases, this is either a 9V battery or phantom power (supplied over an XLR cable), though some active DIs have a built-in power supply that plugs into an electrical outlet. More importantly, active DI boxes include a preamplifier in order to provide a higher output signal. This makes them ideal for low output instruments like vintage electric guitars, basses, and keyboards. A well-designed active DI will perform its function quietly and transparently. Active DIs can also allow for longer cable runs, particularly when used with older guitars that might use single-coil pickups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most commercial studios have a variety of DI boxes in inventory so that their engineers can make the best selection for a particular source. There are plenty of great-sounding passive and active DI boxes available\u2014here are a few popular options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Passive Direct Boxes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Radial ProDI \u2014 $99<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Radial
Radial ProDI Passive Mono Direct Box<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Radial ProDI is an industry-standard compact, passive direct box that’s perfect for home studios. It’s simple to operate, features a custom isolation transformer to eliminate noise, and is built like a tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whirlwind IMP 2 \u2014 $60<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Whirlwind
Whirlwind IMP 2 Direct Box<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Whirlwind is another quality passive direct box featuring 1\/4″ parallel wired in\/out jacks, an XLR output, ground lift switch, and Whirlwind’s TRHL transformer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behringer Ultra-DI DI400P \u2014 $23<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Behringer
Behringer Ultra-DI DI400P Passive Instrument Direct Box<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

At just $23, the Behringer DI400P is the most budget-friendly DI on this list. It offers respectable performance and includes 1\/4″ ins and outs, a gold-plated XLR output, a “super-flat frequency output”, and a rugged metal case. While the DI400P may not be well-suited for the use and abuse of commercial studio facilities, it’s a great choice for anyone who has a home studio and needs something that just works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Active Direct Boxes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rupert Neve Designs RNDI \u2014 $269<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Neve
Neve RNDI 1-channel Active Instrument Direct Box<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The RNDI is an impressive direct box that offers a big, bold tone for basses, guitars, keyboards, and more. Custom-designed transformers deliver powerful low end and sweet, smooth highs. And while it offers a flat frequency response from 20Hz-20kHz, it is capable of an extended range from 10Hz up to 100kHz and above!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RNDI is simple to set up and is phantom powered, sports a rugged steel chassis, and includes an LED current consumption meter. It’s one of the most impressive direct boxes available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radial J48 \u2014 $199<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Radial
Radial J48 1-channel Active 48v Direct Box<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Radial J48 is an active direct box that’s been specifically designed to work around the limited current that is available when using 48-volt phantom power. With the J48, one of Radial’s most important goals was to increase headroom without sacrificing sound quality. The result is a direct box that offers exceptionally low harmonic distortion and will not “choke” when driven. As with all Radial products, the construction quality is excellent and features welded I-beam construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avalon U5 – $715<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Avalon
Avalon U5 Class A Active Instrument DI and Preamp<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I have to admit \u2014 I saved my favorite for last. The Avalon U5 is an absolutely gorgeous-sounding active direct box. Whether used in conjunction with a bass, acoustic guitar, or keyboard, anything I’ve ever plugged into one of these has come to life in a magical way. At over $700 the Avalon U5 is a serious investment, especially for a direct box, but it is truly in a class of its own. The U5 features 100% discrete, pure Class-A circuitry, variable gain up to +30dB, exceptionally low noise, and offers your choice of mic or line-level outputs. While it is outfitted with all the functionality you’d expect to find in a DI, it brings even more to the table. A tone knob provides six ways to shape the sound of your source signal before sending it out to your amp, console, or audio interface. It’s also different from any DI on this list, in that it requires AC power from an outlet \u2014 no batteries or phantom power here. Budget permitting, I can guarantee you won’t be sorry if you treat yourself with this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re recording at home and using an audio interface with a 1\/4″ instrument input, a dedicated direct box may significantly improve the quality of the audio you capture from certain instruments like guitars, basses, and keyboards. Whirlwind and Radial make great, reliable products that are reasonably affordable on most home studio budgets, and while solutions from Rupert Neve and Avalon may offer an even more significant upgrade in sound quality, they’re certainly viable options for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope you now have a basic understanding about the difference between passive and active direct boxes, and I hope you are all still making plenty of music as we continue to live through this pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my next article, we’ll discuss the difference between balanced and unbalanced audio signals and cables. Stay safe and healthy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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