DI Box

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digi2ns
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2013/09/26 12:38:07 (permalink)

DI Box

So I found an extra DI Box we are using to run a Taylor Acoustic to the board and other out to the guitar amp.
 
For some reason the DI Box is acting like a microphone.  You can actually hear every little noise, bump, etc... being picked up by the box itself when its be handled or just lying on the floor as we are playing around.  Never used a DI box and this doesnt seem like it would be normal operation for something like this.
 
Any ideas or thoughts on why or what could be the cause if it is a problem?
 
Thanks
Mike


MIKE

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    AT
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    Re: DI Box 2013/09/26 16:33:49 (permalink)
    I don't really understand what you are doing.  Running one to the board and the other to the amp?  I suppose you are outputting a pickup from the acoustic?  And your DI box has 2 outputs?  One out is likely balanced and the other is unbalanced.  Both would be line level, I would think.  running a line level into a guitar amp guitar input would likely be too sensitive.  First I'd try the line level input in the amp and see if that don't calm things down.  If not, I'd swap the line outs from the DI to see what effect that has.  Actually, the first thing I'd do is try to find some specs on your DI box.  And be careful, not likely but my wife managed to blowup her little practice amp.
     
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    Jeff Evans
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    Re: DI Box 2013/09/26 17:49:45 (permalink)
    Hi there Michael. I once was mixing a rather large live band and one the DI's was doing something rather strange not unlike your situation. So it can happen.
     
    Firstly what is the brand, model. That would help. Second you need to completely replace that DI with another (known good one) first to see if it is actually the DI box itself and not something else. That way you can isolate the issue. If another DI is doing the same thing then it is not the DI obviously. If the problem goes away then it is the problem. This is a simple technical and most obvious test.
     
    There could be something faulty about it that is making it very microphonic. (Microphonic means that devices become super sensitive when you touch and handle them and they can pick things up too! Valves can become very microphonic)

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    digi2ns
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    Re: DI Box 2013/09/26 19:32:22 (permalink)
    Thanks Guys for the reply's,
    Not sure on the make/model at this time, its at another location where we are setup.
     
    Yeh AT,  It has a 1/4" unbalanced IN & OUT and an XLR out.  I have the Guitar plugged into the IN and the 1/4" OUT to the Amp.  I then have the XLR OUT connected to the snake running back to the mixer for the PA.
     
    I would say its a PASSIVE DI cause it takes NO power to run as far as a battery or power supply.
    It is an older one one of the guys had sitting around and I decided to try it out. I was going to use my LINE6 XLIVE to do the same task but this seemed much easier being it was available LOL
     
    I tried swapping cables, working the connection (possible corrosion from sitting for an extended period of time), swapped inputs.  It did clear up some of the noise I was getting as far as a little humming but the case (No change) still has a lot of sensitivity or as Jeff mentioned microphonic stuff going on with it.
     
    Unfortunately I don't have another around to swap it out.
     
    Id like to show the band what a great difference they make versus micing cabinets possibly getting each member to purchase a good one for their instrument. Id do it but decent ones run a little bit more than I want to throw out there for their use LOL
     
     


    MIKE

    --Dell Studio XPS I7/870 2.93 Ghz, 8GB Mem, 2-2TB Barracuda HDs, 500 GB Ext.HDD, Win7/64
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    --Gibson, Fender, Takamine, Schecter, Washburn
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    #4
    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re: DI Box 2013/09/26 21:00:46 (permalink)
    Hi Mike,
     You need to try a better D.I. box.
     
     The cheapest ones are made out of such cheap parts that this can happen due to resonance in the parts like the transformer or coupling caps.
     
    best regards,
    mike
     
     


    #5
    The Band19
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    Re: DI Box 2013/09/27 00:15:20 (permalink)
    I've used my Line6 as a DI by coming out the phones jack and in to a mic pre. Works well. And I come out of the mains and in to an amp to get some feedback in to the body of the guitar, again works well for me. You can hear an example here; (the electrics, not the acoustic) 
     
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    post edited by The Band19 - 2013/09/27 00:17:41

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