What Is A DI Box (Direct Box)? | When & How To Use One
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.พ. 2022
- Do you need a DI box? A DI box (or direct box) is one of the most essential tools in audio production. In this video you'll learn what a DI box does and when you need one. I've included some audio demonstrations so you can compare the sound quality when recording with and without a DI box.
Full Post (Audio University Website): audiouniversityonline.com/dir...
Whirlwind IMP 2 Passive Direct Box
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/0JXNVV
zZounds: geni.us/c5WXy
Amazon: amzn.to/3ss0nXB
Guitar Center: guitar-center.pxf.io/P0Y6A6
B&H: bhpho.to/3umOPar
Radial ProDI Passive Direct Box
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/b3voYx
zZounds: geni.us/Dd89
Thomann: geni.us/thomann-radial-prodi
Amazon: amzn.to/32Qq6jr
Guitar Center: guitar-center.pxf.io/kjQokM
B&H: bhpho.to/3od9euI
Countryman Type 85 Active Direct Box
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/2rXNZO
Amazon: amzn.to/3uj2BuE
B&H: bhpho.to/3AO3SeC
BSS AR-133 Active Direct Box
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/3PXNgB
Thomann: geni.us/SRE9Dp
Amazon: amzn.to/3scicJI
Guitar Center: guitar-center.pxf.io/x9XNmO
B&H: bhpho.to/3Gl8075
Instrument Frequency Guide (Free Download): audiouniversityonline.com/ins...
EQ User Guide (Free Download): audiouniversityonline.com/eq-...
Ear Training Guide (Free Download): audiouniversityonline.com/ear...
Book a one to one call:
audiouniversityonline.com/one...
Website: audiouniversityonline.com/
Facebook: / audiouniversityonline
Twitter: / audiouniversity
Instagram: / audiouniversity
Patreon: / audiouniversity
Gear Recommendations: kit.co/audiouniversity
#AudioUniversity
Disclaimer: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click them, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
![White Noise vs Pink Noise [Audio Engineering & Music Production]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qkb2yRKJxSc/mqdefault.jpg)
![White Noise vs Pink Noise [Audio Engineering & Music Production]](/img/tr.png)
The rare TH-cam video where the guy gets right to the point. No intro before, no sponsor before, not telling me to like and subscribe .0004 nanoseconds into the vid, no snark just CONTENT. Bravo, good sir, Bravo!!!!!
I know I actually had to back the video up to the beginning at only 6 seconds in ‘cause I wasn’t expecting him to dive right in
I also like the fact that he wasn't trying to be comedic or clever in order to win us viewers over. Jumped right into the subject, no time wasted. Besides this, he should also give a TH-camr 101 class.
So refreshing 😊😊
Agreed. No flashy annoying intro, no bad annoying jokes and no off topic meanderings. Also no creepy computer generated voice.
No “without further ado”
This video is actually secretly an instructional video for how to make instructional videos. Straight to the point, well explained, no fluff. Bravo sir, well done.
Extremely Agree
I fully agree👍🏻🏁
As a student of audio engineering, your channel is a true blessing. You've helped me improve in both knowledge and practical skill. Thank you so much for what you do!
Glad to help, Vasst!
@@AudioUniversityIf I connect a bss guitar to my mixer via DI box (with no bass amplifier) can the DI box protect the speakers from being damaged?
Professor! 🇬🇧 @@AudioUniversity
Why can’t more instructional videos be like this….brilliant mate. Thank you.
Glad to help! Thanks AJ.
Just watched this video and really like the way you explain the use of the DI box. I have been considering using a DI box in my audio circuit to a very expensive Amature radio, you have convinced me it could be a help with audio quality.
Thanks
Dude your videos are GOLD. I've been watching this channel on and off since it was very young, and I am not surprised at all but so thankful and glad for you that you're now over 100k subs.
Thanks, JD! I really appreciate your support. Thanks for sticking with me all this time.
Dude, I couldn’t agree more. I’m always excited to know what your next episode is going talk about. Really engaging content and real easy fundamentals for audio engineering. You’re awesome 👍🏻
Thanks, Def Acres!
So 101% agree with You. Probably in no time there will be 200k subs. He's amazing 💥
I'm a guitar player who got a job at a music store that mostly sells live and studio equipment. While i knew some stuff, there was a shit ton to learn still to be a better salesman. Your videos help immensely
This is an excellent video because it explains the "why" as well as the "how". Superb.
Man these videos are such a blessing, thank you. Would love to hear you get into ground loops. I'm just a guitarist who is trying to make his own awesome music, but I realize I need to understand deeper electrical things.
Thank you for making my life easier here. Endless blogs were confusing the hell out of me. This made it simple.
Connecting phones/computers: Radial Pro AV2 (stereo DI box) I keep in my bag as a rarely used problem solver but when I need it, it delivers! Usually you can connect monitor/line outs directly into camera line/mic combo inputs and you’ll get excellent or at least usable sound. Some equipment you get really noisy audio even over short cables, you put that DI box in between, and you’ll mount your XLR input box, and suddenly the audio is pristine. So really great thing to have in the bag if you don’t know equipment at the venue or if any weird / unexpected connection request may emerge.
I never knew such a thing existed. As usual, we have here excellent teaching and selection of subject matter.
I watched like 3 videos on the subject before yours and the diagrams you had on screen gave me the "Aha!" moment that I needed. Thanks for your hard work and content!
Excelent video. Next level basics. So well explained, with proof. Thanks a lot! 💜
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching, Joris!
Gotta say, I live AU vids, their smart, succient, and packed with info that is broken down. I come back from time to time just to brush up on my knowlagdge and definitely learn something new along the way
Have a couple DI boxes but never really understood the total science behind them until i watched your video - Thanks for expanding my understanding
you’re the man! all these videos are super helpful🤘
Awesome stuff brother. Keep up your great breakdowns. Thank you.
for a guitarist who understands buffers, it's like adding an incredible buffer to your signal to retain all your sonic, frequency detail over long runs of cable, and using hum resistant balanced/shielded xlr cables. one thing to remeber, is if your producing noise pre the di box with your gear, a di won't fix it. you ned to fix your the week link in your signal chain first. same goes with a mic'd cab.
The Best Explanation about D.I..
I had a problem with the Output of my Effect Pedal and i had a feeling that it's the frequencies.. I decided to buy a D.I box but I'm a Bit hesitant because maybe it's just the way it sounds.. good thing i saw this video and it helped me a lot.. Thank you❤😊
Great job of explaining things in a way that's understandable and clear. Very informative channel!
Thanks, Mike!
When they introduced the piezoelectric pickup for record players, they used the effect that is caused by high impedance sources on low impedance inputs, that it almost reverse the RIAA curve.
High impedance is also the reason, that condenser microphones needs an active impedance converter close to the transducer. Therefore the early condenser microphones had a big housing.
Your videos are next level information on audio engineering thank you!
So, the point of this video I believe is that it never hurts to own one or two DI boxes. And so is the point taken. Thank you for this awesome clarification!
Nice video. Direct and to the point. That's all you need!
wow wow among the most professional explanation with examples I’ve longed for. Thanks so much.
Glad to help, Ronald!
While is a subtle difference by using a DI box the real reason for them to exist is to eliminate the noise catchup effect in high impedance cable runs, so if your purpose is to clarify or enhance the quality of the sound DI is not the tool but equalizers, compressors and filters.
Would a DI help if I am going via a multi fx pedal (Boss GX100) into my interface’s instrument input. And where would you place it.
@@accentontheoffif you're going to use it with a loudspeaker system, then BOSS GX100 Left or Right Output > D.I BOX > Audio Mixer > Speakers.
@@accentontheoffin this case, since you're plugging into an instrument socket in your interface, chances are you're not that far from it. i usually use multi fx'es and D.I boxex to avoid micing up amps and if I want to go long cable runs
@@zrellll Got it thanks. So there is going to be no automatic improvement in sound quality using a DI box? It’s just useful to cope with long cable runs.
This is finally clear to me. Thanks!
You've explained the cause of why I've always taken issue with how a guitar plugged directed into an interface sounds. Apparently it had to do with impedance. Didn't even know that was a thing
Something new that I didn't expect to see on your channel. Excellent information and explanation! Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work..
I use them though for recording anything that isn't a mic to protect my mixer. Especially the 20db boost and 20db attenuate are very useful when connecting loud devices and instruments or low level stuff.
It allows me to connect line level and keyboard phones connection for example to my mixer side by side.
Great stuff.
And hot into the mixer but below Max mic level gives a great noise to signal ratio as you don't need any/much gain
Solid explanation! I had never understood exactly why the DI box is used the way it is. This is really going to help me moving forward. Thank you!
I’m glad to hear that, John! Thanks for watching!
I use my DI in between my amp and speaker to tap the post amp out for recording and blend it with the pre-amp out and 2 mics....sounds killer!
Clear and helpful, with nice tests, thank you.
A very thankful noob appreciates you and your vids my man !
This was such a good and helpful video! Thank you so much!
One of the best videos on you tube
Man, thank you so much! First time ever - easy and clear explanation why this di box is needed.
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching, Anatoly!
Thank you!👍🏻 Now i understand more about DI Box and its proper usage. 👍🏻
I always wanted to know this. Thank you so much!
So many things i didn't understand about audio but your vids helped me a lot. Congrats for the 100ksubs!
Thanks, Jay!
Really helpful information. Thanks!
I connect my guitar & bass directly from the amp to the input on my 4 track recorder with no issues. Only problem I really have is getting vocal tracks to sound decent. I mean I have a cheap $10 dynamic mic but I've used it it the past with decent results.
thank you Kyle , this instruction is great .
Thank you for the good tutorial Sir,. .very useful to me.
Thank you! Very clear and easy to understand 🙂
Great video, explained well. Even though I use a DI box from my pedal board I did not exactly understand how it worked so well. I have an idea maybe you can help. I use a small board in church. 6 pedals. I'm tired of dancing for each song. I also have a Boss Es-8 switcher on a LARGER board but it's too big to lug every Sunday. I would like to have the Es-8 off my small board but have a quick disconnect coupler for the 8 TS and midi cables. I bought a automotive 20 pin connector an plan to solder the TS wires to the connector. Before I try this is there something on the market that can connect TS TO TS ? Thanks in advance.
Thank you sir for sharing your knowledge. It was helpful.
Okay so I have a question...
Recently Universal Audio has released a pedal called the Ox box pedal (which is like a speaker emulator of guitar cabs)
- my thinking is that if I have a original Marshall 1959hw amp and cab, I will use a DI box in between
-the signal coming from DI will first go through the amp then to a Ironman II attenuator and then to the actual cab...
- lastly the DI signal from the DI will go through my interface to record plain DI signal for later use of UA Ox Box, for reamping, re-cabbing
- (the reason i don't want to use the Ironman II line out is because I don't know if it can actually allow me to use both the speaker out and DI out at the same time, if it does then it would do my job of platform to use pedal, but then I don't know if it can used as tool for reamping in the interface...)
- key goal here is to use an actual amp and cab in a room, and being able to use the Ox Box as well as freedom to reamping the signal...
Thanks for the simple explanation.
Thanks for this video! You just saved me money. I was about to buy a bass amp. Granted, I just bought a guitar amp, so I wish I'd found this sooner... I'm surprised that devices like DI boxes didn't exist long ago (unless they did). Now I'm interesting in looking into these and the amp simulators. Very cool.
Thank you so much, this video is the best that I have ever seen about this topic, good job!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks, John!
I just discovered you channel. Your presentations and materials in the presentations are excellent. Also the presenter is very good.
I learned a lot and received the knowledge I was looking for.
I’ll keep watching.
Thank You !!!
Ricky from IBM, Ret
Thanks, Ricky!
@@AudioUniversity Your very welcome !!!!
You did a great job ! Thank You.
Thanks for the tutorial, great input! FR
Thank you, greetings from Peru.
Excellent knoelegeable video for profession studios with all physical specs. After Bandrew I will also watch your channel.
I love the Rush riff he used.
A few things...
1) I love seeing that Mackie CR1604 over your shoulder. That was the first big analog mixer I cut my teeth on, and they are great for what they were.
2) My bandmates have been salty about me forcing everyone to DIs and IEMs instead of big amps and floor wedges on stage. Don't care. :D
Useful video. Thanks to you, I learn a lot of things and improve myself
Glad to help, Rymar Serge!
fantastic video! i know understand why my guitar sounds so muffled through my focusrite.
subbed now! 🎉
Hi, thanks! Could you address mic passive splitters, pros and cons? Special considerations? Comparing the signals side by side. Regards
thanks i need to review this some!
Bro, thanks heaps, I'm just starting out and have bern starting to think about how to clean up a signal/sound, so on the money, cheers
Great instructional....right to it!
Thanks so much for your advice!
Liked and subscribed! Very helpful overview, thanks. 🎸
Is there a way you can use a bass and have an individual headphone to monitor the band as well as your bass signal while running through the front of the house with no amp?
Your vids are very helpful! Keep it going mah man! :)
Glad to hear that! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for your service 🙏🏻
Thanks for watching and supporting the channel, Angoam!
My attempt is, that most signals as possible go balanced to my mixing console.
To use some non balanced stereo inputs, I have a stereo compressor, with XLR ins and Jack output and a DI/Splitbox, that has Jack, RCA and XLR as in and out and can turn any non balanced input into balanced.
I bought a behringer umc204hd and I know the instrument jack doesn't sound good on that model. Someone said a DI box would fix it but I didn't know how it worked. Thank you!
Thank you so much sir for your packaged information
I'm glad you showed the Instrument switch on the Fosusrite, I won't need a DI with it...
Thank you; love this video
I always preferred to run a line out post as opposed to pre as I wanted the amps tone. I used good amps like Mesa Boogie, Ampeg, and Genz Benz. This also allowed me to mute the sound when changing basses so I didn't have to get the sound man's attention prior to unplugging to avoid the "pop".
Best di I used for studio recording was an Avalon.
Great points, R! Avalons are amazing.
Yes! It does depend on the amp. I run post on an Epifani. Never had a complaint from an engineer and the playback always sound great
Thank you! Sanity saved
This was useful. Thank you.
Long time user and big fan of DI Boxes, particularly Radial, such as yourself.
MANY people don't realise just how a) useful they are, as you just demonstrated, but b) how they can help beef up and colour a signal in conjunction with the mic pre they're feeding. Just hit that mic pre a bit harder and you're into saturation, harder still and it's distortion.
Some of the more exotic mic pres have an inherent 'colour' to them, which is why we buy them, i LOVE my Neve 88R pres along with my 610b and others and regularly use them to track synths, drum machines etc... i do use a Sansamp VT for bass though.
Many people miss out on how useful they are as, superficially, they just seem like a rather prosaic/not sexy bit of kit, but they're way off!
Tracking synths etc just via a line input is seriously disappointing in comparison.
Nice video mate!
had no idea the inputs on my Focusrite DAW could handle XLR cables😂😂😂😂😂😂thanks for sharing! definitely learned something there!
Your each videos are simply great easy to understand you are Guru,(guide, teacher...) for me..
Thanks, Shivkumar!
So helpful , I now know where and when I need to use a DI box, thanks
Glad to help!
Nice info dude !
Thank you sir, thank you! ❤️❤️
Great epispde. Thanks 😁👍👍
Greetings from 🇸🇪
Thanks for watching!
Like and Subscribed. Thank you for the blessing. Truly appreciate the info. God bless 🙏
1:31 i have a question. Do the mixer get same sound effects as in amp or mixer will have normal clean sound without any effects .
*SUBSCRIBED* Incredible infotainment.
Reach out a couple of hundred feet of cable distance in a venue and unbalanced signals are probably unusable. Considering cable distance not linear distance, it doesn't take a very large venue to have a couple of hundred feet of cable (because you don't want every idiot in the room tripping, stomping, or spilling beer on your snake). I prefer active DI's, they just tend to be a little brighter over long distances. Yes, there can be some extra noise from having another amplifier in the chain but I generally find it tips the scale by having a stronger signal. And if the source is passive, active DI is the only way to fly. A basic passive DI is just a transformer inside, an active DI has a small (pre)amplifier in there.
Great video!
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts on this!
Great video once again
Thanks, Armando! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!
Great video, thanks a lot ! At home to use my bass with map amp and also be able to record music to my computer without unplug thinks, i have ordered a DI box but i was not sure about the line/inst button on my audio interface (Behringer UMC204HD). Thanks.
Most guitar effects processors and modelers have line-level outputs. I've been discussing with friends that if the distance of the cable is no longer than 30 feet it doesn't really make much of a difference to use a DI box to connect the modeler to the mixer (line-level input), no matter if it isn't a balanced signal. My point is that when you have line-level sources it is not a matter of impedance but a matter of balanced - unbalanced signals depending on the distance between the source and the mixer. My friends will always use a DI Box and I tell them it isn't necessary. Am I correct?
Great information, thank you
It is a great presentation!
Thanks, Praneeth! I'm glad you enjoyed this one!
Great video! (bonus points for using Reaper!) 😁👍
I agree … Great video … thank you so much … SUBSCRIBED!!
Very good info. Cheers from Toronto
Thanks for watching!
If you recorded the 2 audio clips over 2 takes, then of course it'll sound slightly different. You can even see on the waveform that they're not exactly the same.
But I got my answer from this vid :) I don't need a DI box if my interface can switch to instrument inpedance.
I want to hug you for this video. thank you
Glad to help, Andrew! Thanks for watching.
well explained!!