Harman dbx di1 User manual
OWNER’S MANUAL
di1 DIRECT BOX
ONE CHANNEL DIRECT BOX
WITH HARMAN CONNECTED PA COMPATIBILITY
02
di1 DIRECT BOX
Warranty
1. Please register your product online at www.dbxpro.com. Proof-of-purchase is considered to be the responsibility of the
consumer. A copy of the original purchase receipt must be provided for any warranty service.
2. dbx warrants this product, when purchased new from an authorized U.S. dbx dealer and used solely within the U.S., to be
free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. This warranty is valid to the original purchaser
only and is non-transferable.
3. dbx liability under this warranty is limited to repairing or, at our discretion, replacing defective materials that show evidence
of defect, provided the product is returned to dbx WITH RETURN AUTHORIZATION from the factory, where all parts and labor
will be covered up to a period of two years. A Return Authorization Number must first be obtained from dbx. The company shall
not be liable for any consequential damage as a result of the product’s use in any circuit or assembly.
4. dbx reserves the right to make changes in design or make additions to or improvements upon this product without incurring
any obligation to install the same additions or improvements on products previously manufactured.
5. The foregoing is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, and dbx neither assumes nor authorizes any person to
assume on its behalf any obligation or liability in connection with the sale of this product. In no event shall dbx or its dealers be
liable for special or consequential damages or from any delay in the performance of this warranty due to causes beyond their
control.
Technical Support & Service
If you require technical support, contact dbx Technical Support. Be prepared to accurately describe the problem. Know the
serial number of your device – this is printed on a sticker attached to the chassis.
Before you return a product to the factory for service, we recommend you refer to this manual. Make sure you have correctly
followed installation steps and operating procedures. For further technical assistance or service, please contact our Technical
Support Department at (801) 566-8800 or visit www.dbxpro.com. If you need to return a product to the factory for service, you
MUST first contact our Technical Support Department to obtain a Return Authorization Number.
NO RETURNED PRODUCTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE FACTORY WITHOUT A RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER.
Please refer to the Warranty information, which extends to the first end-user. After expiration of the warranty, a reasonable
charge will be made for parts, labor, and packing if you choose to use the factory service facility. In all cases, you are
responsible for transportation charges to the factory. If the product is still under warranty, dbx will pay the return shipping.
Use the original packing material if it is available. Mark the package with the name of the shipper and with these words in red:
DELICATE INSTRUMENT, FRAGILE! Insure the package properly. Ship prepaid, not collect. Do not ship parcel post.
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di1 DIRECT BOX
Table of Contents
Overview ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������2
Introduction ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 2
Features ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 2
Using a Direct Box ���������������������������������������������������������������3
Direct Insertion of an Instrument into a PA System ��3
Front Panel �����������������������������������������������������������������������������4
Rear Panel ������������������������������������������������������������������������������4
Application & Operation �����������������������������������������������������5
Battery Power & Installation������������������������������������������������������� 5
Battery/48V/Connected PA Selector Switch ����������������������� 5
Battery LED Indicator������������������������������������������������������������������ 5
Phantom Power LED Indicator�������������������������������������������������� 5
Connections ���������������������������������������������������������������������������5
Input Connections������������������������������������������������������������������������ 5
Output Connections �������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
Controls �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������6
Attenuation Switch����������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
Ground Lift Switch����������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
Specifications ������������������������������������������������������������������������6
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di1 DIRECT BOX
Overview
Introduction
Congratulations on purchasing the dbx di1 Active Direct Box. Ideal for both studios and on the road, the di1 will ensure audio
signals reach their intended destination free from unwanted noise and in a balanced format. The di1 provides a range of
features such as level and impedance matching, phantom power indication, signal pass through, and ground lift functionality.
The di1’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications. You can connect the output from electric guitars, bass
guitars, keyboards, or just about any other audio signal output directly to a mixer, without the use of a microphone. In addition
to being a great stand-alone direct box, the di1 is also part of the HARMAN Connected PA™ system—the first integrated PA
system that automatically identifies and configures your connected equipment with a single app. Simplify setup and control so
you can get a great sound in less time and spend more time doing what you love—performing music.
For more information on HARMAN’s Connected PA featuring ioSYS™ technology, please visit connected-pa.com.
Thank you for choosing dbx.
Features
• Level and impedance matching function
• Unbalanced XLR and 1/4” TS input connectors
• Unbalanced 1/4” TS Link Input for pass-through connection
• Balanced XLR output connector
• Battery LED indicator
• Supports Phantom Power of +18V DC to +48V DC
• Attenuation switch
• Ground lift switch
• Main/Standby: 9 Volt battery
• Sturdy metal chassis
• HARMAN Connected PA™ compatible
• ioSYS™ enabled
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di1 DIRECT BOX
Using a Direct Box
First, a direct box converts the audio signal originating from an unbalanced device (like a guitar) to a balanced audio signal for
transmission over a longer distance than is recommended for an unbalanced signal to travel. As audio industry people know,
the advantage of a balanced signal is realized at the receiving end (audio input) of the balanced cable, typically in the form of a
mic pre-amp input on a mixing console.
The mic pre input circuitry consists of a “differential amplifier” whose job it is to “accept” the audio portion of input signal and
“reject” the noise portion of the signal. The noise portion happens to be roughly equivalent on (or “common to”) both the “+”
and “-” balanced conductors in the mic cable, since external electromagnetic fields are induced onto both conductors in a
roughly similar fashion.
Since the conductors are always in a “twisted pair” configuration, they “see” the same noise field. Thus, this is known as
“common-mode noise”. Another type of common-mode noise somewhat evenly-induced onto both conductors is due to the
inherent physics of connecting two pieces of equipment together and the resulting flow of electrons due to noise voltages
present at each piece of equipment. The ability of a balanced input to reject common-mode noise is measured in dB and called
its “common-mode rejection ratio”, or CMRR.
The second function of a direct box is to convert from a high-impedance output—on an instrument such as electric guitar with
passive pickups, for instance—to a low-impedance output. A cable driven by a high-impedance output is more susceptible to
signal loss and noise pickup than a cable driven by a low-impedance output. Thus, using a direct box again improves, for a
different reason, the ability to run longer distances due to the impedance conversion from high to low-impedance.
Direct Insertion of an Instrument into a PA System
One of the most common applications for using a DI box is getting the signal from a bass guitar into the PA system. Simply
put, the low frequencies produced by bass are difficult to mic, so use of a DI box is almost always preferable.
Additionally, the signal going to the PA system can be adjusted by the FOH (front of house) engineer, without affecting the
sound the musician dials up on stage. You can use the di1 to plug a guitar directly into the PA system as well. This is especially
useful for acoustic guitars with pickups or when using guitar signal processors.
Follow these steps to connect an electric bass or guitar to a PA mixer:
1. Turn down the master output faders on the mixer before making connections.
2. Connect the output of the guitar or bass to the 1/4” input on the di1.
3. Connect the di1’s XLR output to the input of the PA mixer.
4. On the di1, select the desired power option using the BATTERY/48V/CPA selector switch: select BATTERY if using 9V
battery power; select 48V if powering the di1 from the phantom power of the mixer.
IMPORTANT: If connecting to a HARMAN Connected PA-compatible mixer, select the CPA switch option and follow
the steps in the Connected PA app. Only select the CPA switch position when connecting to a HARMAN Connected
PA-compatible mixer.
5. Adjust the mixer’s volume/gain to your liking.
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di1 DIRECT BOX
Front Panel
A B C
D
E
A. Attenuation Switch
B. Input Connectors
C. Ground Lift Switch
D. Phantom Power LED Indicator
E. Battery Power LED Indicator
Rear Panel
A B DC
A. Battery Compartment
B. Battery/48V/Connected PA Selector Switch
C. Link Input
DOutput Connector
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di1 DIRECT BOX
Application & Operation
Battery Power & Installation
The di1 operates using a standard 9V battery (not included) or phantom power. There is a secured battery compartment
housed within the di1 with access provided through a removable metal compartment cover. Simply unscrew the battery
compartment cover to gain access to the battery compartment for battery installation or replacement of expired batteries.
Battery/48V/Connected PA Selector Switch
Selects the desired power source or enables the Connected PA feature. Select the BATTERY option to power the di1 using a
9V battery. Select the 48V option to power the di1 from a phantom power-enabled mic preamp. Select the CPA (Connected
PA) option only when connecting to a HARMAN Connected PA-compatible mixer.
NOTE: To preserve battery life, always set this switch to 48V or CPA to disable the battery power when not in use.
Battery LED Indicator
The Battery LED illuminates to indicate that battery power is enabled and the unit is ready for operation.
Phantom Power LED Indicator
The Phantom Power LED will illuminate when phantom power is detected. To preserve battery life, set the selector switch to
“48V” whenever phantom power is detected.
Connections
Input Connections
The di1 offers both TS and XLR unbalanced inputs on the front panel of the unit.
Output Connections
The di1 offers both TS unbalanced and XLR balanced outputs on the rear panel of the unit. The TS unbalanced “Link Input”
connector is an unbalanced parallel output of the incoming signal from either the XLR or TS input source. This is for passing
signals directly through the di1 for on-stage use, such as when connecting to an on-stage bass amplifier. The XLR output
connector is for connection to your mixing console or destination receiving unit and is wired as follows: Pin 1 = GROUND, Pin
2 = (+) Signal, Pin 3 = (-) Signal.
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di1 DIRECT BOX
Controls
Attenuation Switch
The attenuation switch allows an incoming source signal to be attenuated by 20 dB or 40 dB. This is useful for operation with
very hot signals that would otherwise overload the di1.
Ground Lift Switch
The Ground lift switch enables or disables continuous connection of the input and output ground connection. This is useful for
helping to eliminate ground loop hum problems that can arise between connected devices. When this switch is in the down
position, the ground lift is enabled and no ground connection is made between the incoming and output signal.
Specifications
POWER REQUIREMENT
9V battery (Battery not included)
Phantom Power: +18 V DC to +48 V DC
DIMENSIONS (WITHOUT FEET)
10cm (W) x 10.2cm (L) x 4.5cm (H)
3.93” (W) x 4.01” (L) x 1.77” (H)
dbx is constantly striving to maintain the highest professional standards. As a result of these efforts, modifications may be
made from time to time to existing products without prior notice. Specifications and appearance may differ from those listed or
shown.
Important Note:
Every effort has been made to ensure all information provided in this manual is accurate at the time of writing.
dbx Professional Products is not liable for any incorrect information contained in this manual and extends no liabilities in regard
to this manual other than those required by local law.
dbx Professional Products may update the contents of this manual at any time without prior notice. The latest version of this
manual is available from the dbx website at all times. http://www.dbxpro.com
Table of contents
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