Active direct boxes take many forms, from solid state circuits to tube-based designs and single channel to stereo and multi-channel versions. Active units are often the preferred choice for connecting to passive pickups, vintage basses and piezo rigs on guitars and stringed instruments, although most are versatile enough to handle nearly anything on stage. And while many instrument amplifiers are equipped with XLR direct outs, having a separate direct box available is good insurance against those instances where the musician-supplied signal may be fraught with a buzz or a ground loop.
In surveying the market, we found a wide variety of models at just about anyone’s budget, with some AC powered, others offering a combination of either 48 VDC phantom powering an/or the familiar 9-volt battery.
To download a PDF of the May 2014 FRONT of HOUSE Buyers Guide, CLICK HERE
