An active DI box that's anything but ordinary

Whether you play guitars or basses with passive pickups, you'll need a direct box that won't lower the tone of your instrument when recording or plugging into the board. Using premium components like a Cinemag transformer and leveraging elite build quality, the Warm Audio WA-DI-A Active Direct Box is more than just a basic DI. There is no specific rule about when to use active or passive DIs, but a good guide is to use active direct boxes with passive sources like guitars and basses with passive pickups. If you're looking for a durable, professional DI, Warm Audio's Active Direct Box offers premium features that help solve many audio problems live and in the studio.

Intuitive and complete inputs and controls

Connect your guitar, bass, keyboard or other high impedance instruments to the unit's front panel. The Thru connector sits next to it, for easy access to run a line to your amplifier, and the converted signal exits the unit via a robust XLR connector on the rear panel. Front panel switches include Phase, Ground Lift, and Amp Out. On the rear panel, you can select passive or active operation and choose to activate the variable pad.

Works with 48 volt or dual 9 volt phantom power

The Warm Audio Active Direct Box is powered by 48-volt or two 9-volt phantom power, with an operating life of over 1,600 hours on a new set of batteries. The unit automatically detects 48-volt phantom power — automatically switching the unit to active mode — and includes a 48-volt indicator light. When operating on batteries, manually select active or passive mode via the selector switch on the rear panel. Batteries are easy to remove and replace when the far day comes for a new set!

Characteristics

• Active direct box with CineMag transformer;
• Converts an unbalanced high impedance signal into a balanced low impedance signal;
• Leaves the tone and clarity of your instrument intact;
• Variable pad from -3dB to -30dB allows you to set an ideal input level to avoid distortion;
• Ground lift switch helps eliminate buzzing and buzzing caused by ground loops;
• Route your amplifier's signal to a live mixer or recording interface;
• Intuitive front and back panel layout;
• Robust all-metal chassis can withstand the most rigorous use;
• Over 1,600 operating hours on a set of new, high-quality 9-volt batteries.

Specifications

• Type: active (switchable to passive);
• Channels: 1;
• Pads: Variable, -3dB to -30dB;
• Polarity switch: yes;
• Ground elevation: yes;
• Inputs: 1 x 1/4 in. (instrument/amp);
• Outputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4 in. (thru);
• Power source: 48V phantom power, 2 9V batteries.