Do Direct Boxes Matter? What's a DI do?

What does a direct box do for your guitar, bass or keyboard? Does it just change the connector to go to our sound board? And does one type vs another change the sound a lot?

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:32 Impedance
01:38 Balanced vs. Unbalanced
02:55 Features on a DI
05:02 What makes DIs different from one another?
06:45 Listening examples disclaimer
07:26 Acoustic Guitar
08:28 Passive Bass
08:44 Active Bass
09:07 Output Differences
09:33 Final Thoughts
10:55 Special Thanks

[squirelova]

This is the BEST explanation 'for Dummies' on Balanced vs. Unbalanced signal I've seen so far. Very clear, very simple, very understandable.

[ThePlagueGameing]

Been in the industry for a while now but it's always good to review!!. There's definitely a different in boxes!!. Thanks 👍

[gavinvonmeyer]

I saw many many videos on this topic... I have to say, this is the best of all those videos.

[chothemusical]

I've used both of these particular DIs (among others, of course) in various house of worship and studio situations. Any time I had acoustics on stage that was going to be more than just texture, the Teegarden Magic DI would always get the gig and I saved the other ones for less prominent instruments. I only used it here and there on bass. Teegarden has a great bass DI as well but I really got to where I liked the Telefunken TDA boxes for that. Side note, the guys at TA are fantastic and great to work with.

[toddleach]

A really good solution to consistency in these tests is to have the player use and play into a looper pedal. Then use that loop to A-B the DIs. For an even more objective comparison, use analyzer or SMART software to visualize the difference heard.

[minibuns]

Great message on direct boxes brother. Have a Blessed Day 🌟

[chetdunham]

Damn. I remember this! Like from years ago! Thanks, man, for the reminder! Actually makes me want to get that new bass my wife says I can't have.

[parasiteunit]

Also on the subject of gain (which is something that's becoming a "thing" in mixes) even if the gain is on the cooler side, the moment distortion is introduced either by accident or design, it makes the sound louder.

Even if there's a limiter cutting it all down to -3dB....

It still sounds a bit louder than clean signals.

I've noticed that any track in a mix with distortion on it - I always have knock back the volume on the track in the mix to get it to 'settle' a bit better there also seems a relationship between the amount of distortion and the perceived volume

[markwinslow]

when an instrument is tied into a different circuit then the board often the difference in the distance from the two respective components to the panel you will get a ground loop because the ground has a longer distance to travel on the instruments circuit which increases the resistance down the line causing an imbalance that can be heard in the hum.

[TheLastEmail]

5:22, I saw some shop selling digital DI boxes, which means can transfer digitally like wifi or bluetooth, not what is it but that what they

[garryyoung]

Thank you James!!! I now know more about DI boxes... I had always wondered about the "Ground Lift" switch. Would it take me to another dimension if activated or would the whole system shut down.!! :) We went to all instruments, except drums and percussion, using DI's when we got into our new building 5 years ago. Eliminating the need for individual amps and we started using IEM's. We have very good success with them..

[codyi]

Wow, was just wondering about this yesterday. Thanks!!

[philmckenna]

Really helpful info, mate! Thanks for posting 👍🏼

[ShannonLandsberger]

The only time I have ever needed a ground lift is when I use a laptop as an input to my soundboard. I add a DI box and lift the ground to get rid of the hum.

[cleyc]

Amazing Video thank you, by the. Way you are great explaining

[edwaxiux]

i think, if you have ReAmp box, then you could send same identical signal from daw and record then, of course preamp is still in line of making sound ;)

[superdrummer]

My digital instrument outputs a relatively hot (high impedance) signal (needs about 10 dB of preamp gain) and the cable run is about 6 metres, is it a problem that I don't have a DI? The signal is unbalanced, but shouldn't the signal/noise ratio be high enough? I haven't noticed any noise in the sound both live and when listening to the multi-track recording. Thank you for the awesome video!

[randomschittz]

“That’s why they call it a circuit” 🤯🤯🤯

[heythere]

Is there a delay when recording a live guitar and also using a DI to overlap the live guitar recording?

I can’t get an answer to this . For some reason I feel like I heard a mixer once say everytime he gets a bass di and a bass recording it’s never in phase but idk if I remember this correctly .

I really like the idea of using a DI to use the same performance on different gear and combine it

[ruthnumsolutions]

Ive just recently hooked up keyboard, bass and guitar via DI. Really cleaned up the mix but i need your advice James!? 🙏