062 – What is a DI?
Direct Boxes (DIs) are how we connect electrical audio signals to the mixer.
Written by Scott Adamson
If you play live music, you’ve probably seen a Direct Box (a.k.a. DI or Direct Inject) on stage. Along with microphones, these are a very common way to interface instruments with the audio system.
So, let’s take a closer look at exactly what this little box is doing. Whether you’re using active or passive DIs, they perform two main functions, which I discuss in more detail right here:
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We’re looking at a super simple example in this video — but DIs come with all sorts of features that are tailored for specific instruments.
For example, there are DIs made for electric bass guitar that have tubes built-in for a warmer sound. And there are DIs that come with eight or more channels in a single enclosure to accommodate a multi-keyboard setup or multi-track playback.
