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Usually when I do a Road Test, the manufacturer ships the gear to me, I read the manuals, play with it a bit and take it out on a gig. With the KS Audio gear, the review process took on a slightly different scenario. I first got a call from my friend and editor Bill Evans, but instead of waiting for the gear, I was invited to a record release party where the KS Audio CPA self-powered compact line array was being used. Henry Strange (system engineer for KS Audio) and his crew had set up the line array and subs. I showed up a couple of hours before the show to check it out.

So, an affordable cardioid dynamic microphone with a step-up transformer that will give me all the benefits of a dynamic handheld, while delivering the detail and frequency range benefits of a condenser? We’ll see. A rugged offering from a well-respected name in professional audio that is tough enough to withstand the rigors of the road while equally adept and worthy in the best of studios? All while priced under $240? Let’s just say I had my doubts.

The dbx brand now offers the dB10 passive direct box and the dBb12 active direct box. While not compact at 5.82” x 5.44” x 2.20,” the direct boxes are similar in size to the higher quality direct box offerings and are fully featured for the variety of needs for both performers and sound people. I give kudos to dbx for using steel over aluminum to help block magnetic fields from penetration into the sensitive audio circuits. This is especially important as direct boxes are often mounted on instrument amplifiers, which have AC power transformers nearby.