Klotz DX10 User manual

passive di-box
instruction manual
bedienungsanleitung
dx10

KLOTZ DX10
passive di-box
instruction manual
english
introduction 5
connections and controls 6
application examples 7
re-amping 8
FAQs 9
technical specs and dimensions 10
warranty 11
bedienungsanleitung deutsch 13
contents
2

Thank you for choosing this KLOTZ AIS
product! Our KLOTZ DX10 passive DI Box is
a top-quality product made in Germany.
Every product from our company undergoes
rigorous material and functional testing.
KLOTZ AIS therefore grants a 5-year
warranty on the KLOTZ DX10 assuming
correct use of the product. The purchase
date must be verified by submission of an
invoice or receipt.
Please read these instructions carefully
before starting to use your KLOTZ DX10, in
order to achieve the best possible sound
for your purpose. If you have any other
questions about this product or how to use
it, feel free to email us at
5
3
welcome
ger
ma
ny
made in

Mixing desks love balanced signals –but not all signal sources deliver
them. Guitar or bass amps and keyboards rarely have balanced outputs,
and guitars cannot be connected directly to a mixer. This is where the
KLOTZ dx10 comes in!
A DI box converts a high-ohm unbalanced signal into a low-ohm balanced
signal. To do this, the signal from the instrument is fed into the DI box
between the instrument and the amp. “DI” stands for “direct injection”
because the DI box is directly “injected” or fed with the instrument signal.
The KLOTZ dx10 then balances the signal so that it can be transmitted
over long distances without hiss or background noise before it is fed into
a mixer for further processing. The KLOTZ dx10 is a passive DI box; unlike
active DI boxes, it does not require an external power supply. Just connect
it up, and off you go!
We ensure all our components are manufactured to high quality in con-
formity with our rigorous company standards. The transformer is by far
the most important component in a DI box, and the one that has the most
influence on the sound. It has a 6+6:1 transformer ratio.
The transformer we use in the KLOTZ dx10 was developed by us in-house
with special care, to reflect its crucial role in the performance and sound
behaviour of the DI box. Only the best materials were good enough. We
chose mu-metal, a soft magnetic nickel-iron alloy with outstanding
permeability (magnetic conductivity). The KLOTZ dx10 offers neutrality
and stability of sound that is superior to other DI boxes on the market.
Say goodbye to distortion!
4
introduction

input
instrument input
thru
instrument output
lift/Gnd
ground lift
(isolates the ground
connection)
to prevent
ground loops
0 dB/- 20 dB
pad switch,
reduces input level by 20 dB
7
5
connections & controls
input view
output view
Recessed sockets and switches offer excellent protection from accidental use
balanced out

6
application examples
Before you connect the KLOTZ dx10 with your equipment, set the volume
of your instruments and amplifiers and your mixer faders to “0” or “-∞”.
This prevents that notorious “pop” when you plug in your instrument, as
well as protecting your ears – and your PA system.
1. Plug your instrument into “Input”.
2. Connect to the amplifier using “Thru”. If you are working with a line
signal such as a keyboard signal, the signal can be fed to a sub-mixer,
recording unit or active monitor from here.
3. Connect “Balanced Out” to a microphone input (i.e. mic level) on the
mixer.
4. Now you can restore your instrument volume controls and mixer faders
to their original level. If necessary, eliminate any hum by setting
“Lift/Gnd” (ground lift switch).
5. If the signal is distorted although your volume and mixer level
settings are correct, set the input sensitivity to “- 20 dB” using the
pad switch. You may need to adjust the mixer volume if you do this.
input
amp
mixer
thru
balanced out
instrument

7
re-amping
Re-amping is an interesting recording method in which various
sounds can be added to pre-recorded guitar signals. It is not a
new invention, but has been common practice for decades.
In re-amping, a previously recorded guitar signal is retrans-
mitted through the guitar amp and re-recorded.
1. Set up your system as usual with the KLOTZ dx10 and make a “clean”
recording of the signal from “Balanced Out” on a separate track.
2. At the same time, use a microphone to record the signal from the
guitar/amp, likewise on a further separate track.
3. Now you can retransmit the “clean” track to the guitar amp via the
KLOTZ dx10 and re-record it, adding whatever sound you like.
4. To do this, connect the output of the mixer channel in question with
the “Balanced Out” of the KLOTZ dx10 and the “Input” of the KLOTZ
dx10 with your guitar amp. Please note that you will need a female-
female XLR adapter (XLR Gender Changer, KLOTZ AIS article number:
XLR-FF).
5. Now you’re ready to explore the wonderful world of re-amping!
You can record your clean original track through various amps with a
range of different sounds, add effects, try out mic positions, etc.
6. This is the classic form of re-amping. However, re-amping can also be
performed using software. To do this, feed the previously recorded
clean signal into your recording software via an audio interface. It
can then be edited by adding one or several guitar sounds from a
plugin.
9

FAQs
Why is the output of the KLOTZ dx10 not as loud as signals
from other sources such as a keyboard?
The KLOTZ dx10 is a passive DI box, designed to output a balanced
signal at mic level. It is compatible with standard mic inputs on a mixer.
Can phantom power from the mixer impair or even damage the
KLOTZ dx10?
No, the KLOTZ dx10 is unaffected by the mixer’s phantom power.
Do I really need a DI box? Can’t I just hook up my instrument
to the mixer?
Of course it is theoretically possible to feed even high-ohm unbalanced
signals from an instrument directly into the mixer. However, this is not
advisable with an electric guitar because it omits the amplifier, which
is a critical element in shaping the sound. The key benefits of a DI box
are its ability to transmit a signal free from background noise due to the
balanced wiring, lossless signals even over longer distances, and correct
impedance matching.
Which are better - active or passive DI boxes?
It is a matter of personal taste whether you prefer the sound from an
active or passive DI box. The great advantage of passive DI boxes is the
galvanic isolation achieved by the transformer. Because the input and
output are completely separated, electrical hum and background noise
are things of the past.
8

9
technical specs and dimensions
box
housing: extremly solid V2A steel frame
dimensions: L = 103 mm; W = 75 mm; H = 49 mm
technical data
unbalanced input and output: 6.3 mm jack socket
balanced output: XLR 3p. male
max. input level at attn. OFF: +10 dBu (2.5 V) / 20 kΩ
max. input level at attn. 20: +30 dBu (25 V) / 40 kΩ
max. output level: -10 dBu (250 mV) / 200 Ω
frequency response: 10 Hz - 30 kHz (+/- 0.3 dB)
harmonic distortion: < 0.1 %
11
H = 49 mm
W = 75 mm
L = 103 mm

warranty
We applied the same high quality standards when choosing the other
components. The ultra-rugged housing easily copes with the stresses and
strains of live performance. We’re so convinced by our quality that every
KLOTZ DX10 carries a 5-year warranty!
10
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