DI Box - What is it and how to use it? Direct Box 101 - Passive or Active? Which should you use?

What is a DI and do you need one? Active or Passive DI? This video explains the differences and shows connection diagrams and important information.
A DI box, which means Direct Injection ( D.I. Box ), allows you to connect your instrument to the balanced inputs of a mixer in a sound system, or to a recording console or USB Pre and DAW in the studio. While standard instrument cable is susceptible to noise after a few feet of length, balanced signals can remain relatively noise free over even hundreds of feet. That makes them perfect for connecting acoustic guitars, synthesizers, and bass guitars to a sound system or recording desk / DAW. Even when the mixing desk is a 100' or more away from the stage. And important tech tool for live audio since the mixer is not always close to the musicians at the stage.

Also discussed is the ground lift switch for defeating ground loop noise, hookup cables, and best practices for using a DI for live sound reinforcement or recording.

A DI box is also useful when tracking guitar in you DAW so that you can record a second, clean track, along with your mic'ed amplifier. The clean track then can be re-amped later should you decide you don't like the sound of the original mic'ed amp. A hookup diagram for this is also in the video.

Various models and budget ranges of DI's are shown in this video. This includes a workhorse like the passive Whirlwind IMP-2, the industry standards Radial JDI and Radial J48, Radial's budget offering the Radial ProDI, a past industry standard active DI- The Countryman Type 85, and the active Behringer Ultra DI.

Whether church audio, studio, a touring band, or a live production audio provider, it's very likely you'll find yourself needing a DI, or several Direct boxes even.

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►Patreon Page where Patrons have access to script files, other PDF tutorials, Behringer X32/M32/XR18/MR18 channel and scene files, and other audio production information:
https://www.patreon.com/AlanHamiltonAudio
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►►Amazon Affiliate Links To Equip Used/Shown/Mentioned In Video-


►Whirlwind IMP 2 Standard Direct Box on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3mnGqhI

►Behringer ULTRA-DI DI100 on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3Nw2Id9

►Radial Pro DI Passive Direct Box on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3mj2tX5

►Radial JDI Passive DI on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3zlgBXd

►Radial J48 MK2 48V Phantom Power Active Direct Box on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3NuMMYO

►Radial JDI Stereo - Jensen Equipped 2-Channel Passive Instrument Direct Box on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3MrjCYW

►RapcoHorizon G1-6 6 Ft. Players Series Guitar Cable on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3xnXsCC

►Rapco Horizon N1M1-20 Stage Series M1 Microphone Cable Neutrik Connectors on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3GX0AZl

►Shure SM58LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3NW80yr


Equipment used to make video:

►Sony ZV1 Camera on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3HJWd3f

►Canon EOS M50 Mark II on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3avOr1s

►CAMWORLD Action Camera 4K Sports Camera on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3xbFvWH

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases."

Suggested videos:

►Connecting an MP3 Player to a Mixer - Don't Make This Mistake!:
https://youtu.be/UiauwFEFe_k

►Analog Audio Over Ethernet Cables via Adapters:
https://youtu.be/FW6c4ROQbLc

►5 Tips for Better Live Vocal Mixes:
https://youtu.be/oP4sdpkkNhY

►How to EQ a Kick Drum:
https://youtu.be/CQg1_-ZJ4MU

►How to EQ a Snare Drum:
https://youtu.be/J_WC68vyht4

►How to EQ Toms:
https://youtu.be/nSLJqnlJe60

►Cable Management For Live Audio:
https://youtu.be/nYZ9nrPGswo

►Patch Order and Input Lists For Live Sound:
https://youtu.be/FE2KRj8vEEc

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►Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/livesoundproduction
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0:00 Intro
0:07 DI Box = Direct Injection Box
0:13 Whirlwind IMP 2 Passive DI
0:28 Open a Passive DI Box to see inside
1:09 Passive DI's
2:29 Active DI's
2:57 Typical DI connection diagram
3:28 Countryman Type 85 Active DI
3:48 Newer Active DI's Radial J48 and Behringer Ultra DI
4:22 Why use a D.I.?
5:17 Do I want an active or passive DI?
5:52 But I only have a passive DI?
6:41 Using a DI in the studio for re-amping
7:14 Tips and reminders



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