Ideal for studio, house of worship, or live stage applications, the rugged RapcoHorizon DB-1 is a single-channel, passive direct box designed to provide musicians and audio engineers with a simple solution for connecting a mono instrument (such as a guitar, bass, or keyboard) to a microphone preamp. It converts a high-impedance, instrument-level signal via its 1/4" TS unbalanced input connector to a low-impedance, mic-level signal via its balanced XLR output connector. A 1/4" thru jack allows simultaneous connection to an amplifier or pedalboard.

The DB-1 is equipped with a ground-lift switch to reduce hum caused by ground loops. Due to its passive design, the unit does not require a battery or power supply to operate.

Connect an Instrument to a Mic Input    Converts Unbalanced Signal to Balanced    Converts High Impedance to Low Impedance    1/4" Unbalanced Input    XLR Balanced Output    1/4" Thru Jack    Ground-Lift Switch Minimizes Hum    Rugged Design

• Use to connect an instrument such as a guitar, bass, or keyboard to a microphone preamp
• Converts high-impedance, unbalanced 1/4" instrument input to a low-impedance, balanced XLR mic-level output
• 1/4" thru jack for routing to an amplifier
• Ground-lift switch minimizes hum
• Rugged metal construction
• Passive design—does not require a battery or power supply 

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. What happens when it gets hit with 48v? Will it pass through to the computer?

A: This product is to convert a 3.5mm line level signal out from a computer to an XLR mic level signal. No 48 volt phantom power should be involved in this procedure.

Q: 2. Is it powered or does it require an external amp?

A: This unit is not powered. It is a passive split. No external amplifier necessary. Send your signal IN and enjoy the 8 individual OUTs

Q: 3. What is the input impedance on this box? I need 1M Ohm or higher.

A: The input impedance is specified as 50k ohms on the PDI-40 Direct Box.

Q: 4. Can I take phone calls using a rca to 3.5 mm out to phone?

A: By using this device with a smartphone, the caller could be sent to a mixer/ recorder directly. The caller could be recorded on a separate track of audio on a recorder. The caller would only hear you through the mic of the phone, as though you were on speaker phone. To make the call recording easier and have the caller here your mics audio, you may want to purchase this new Zoom podcasting recorder: B&H # ZOPTP4PCREC.

Q: 5. Can this be used as a conversion device with the signal coming from an XLR mic connecting to 1/8" adapter into my video camera?

A: No, the RapcoHorizon LTIBLOX Laptop BLOX 1-Channel Passive Direct Box will not work with a microphone. It is intended for use to send the 3.5mm line-level output from a computer to the XLR mic-level input on a professional A/V device like a mixer, amplifier, camera, or recorder. The XLR connector is the output, so it has a male connector and would not work to connect a microphone. A better solution for connecting an XLR microphone to the mic input on a video camera would be to use a simple adapter like the Kopul LMT100 - Low to High Impedance Matching Transformer (B&H # KOLMT100) attached to a standard XLR cable in the length you need. Please note that the mic you are using should either be a dynamic mic that does not require any voltage or a condenser mic that operates using a battery for power or has its own power supply, as the camera will not supply 48V phantom power from its 3.5mm input.

Q: 6. Does it send signal out of both outputs simultaneously (like a splitter)?

A: Yes, it does. When splitting, you will lose a bit of the treble, but it's not a huge difference. I use it in that regime--sending two signals out of it to different gear. Let me know if you want to know more. Good luck.

Q: 7. headphones?

A: This unit is not designed to be used with headphones.

Q: 8. Can the xlr side be used as input or is it only output?

A: No. The XLR side of the RapcoHorizon LTIBLOX Laptop BLOX 1-Channel Passive Direct Box is an output only

Q: 9. If I have a "stereo" line level source will this give me 2 mono XLR outs, or do I have to use both L/R outs ?

A: If you have a stereo line level source with left and right outputs, you are sending two different mono signals to the inputs on the Mackie MDB-2P Stereo Passive Direct Box, so you will need to use both the left and right XLR outputs in order to maintain the stereo image.

Q: 10. Is this bi-directional? May I connect XLR end to a mic and 3.5mm to computer mic input?Thank you.

A: This is a one-way device only.