A DI box converts a high impedence unbalanced instrument signal to a low impedence balanced signal. DI's are normally used to send instrument such as keyboards or bass guitars down a snake or in to a mic pre-amp. A passive DI is basically just an impedence matching transformer with a pad and a ground lift switch. An active DI uses various electronics to match impedences. They both have their advantages. A passive DI can convert signals in both directions while an active DI can only go from Hi Z to Low Z. An active DI generally has more headroom in the low frequencies and is often used on bass guitar, keyboard, and for DJ's. When a passive DI is pushed very hard, the transformer can begin to saturate causing LF distortion.
Cheers,
Zach
Cheers,
Zach
I was under the impression that you wanted to end up with lo-Z in a DI box
Wouldn't that require an isolation transformer + output buffer (hence active DI box)?
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