modtone

You’ve probably heard musicians or audio engineers talk about using a DI or direct injection box onstage or in the studio. Even if you’re familiar with the term “DI,” you may be unsure about what this device actually does and when you’d want to use it. Here’s the short answer: If you play an acoustic guitar equipped with any kind of onboard pickup system, at some point you’re likely to plug it into a PA or studio console—and that’s where the DI comes in. Whether you’re gigging at a local coffeehouse, performing at a major festival, or laying down songs in the studio, it pays to be familiar with DI boxes and the host of options that are available to acoustic guitarists. So let’s get right to it.

Square One
Studio consoles and front-of-house mixing boards are designed to accept balanced, low-impedance (aka low-Z) signals from microphones. Most acoustic-electric guitars deliver an unbalanced, high-impedance (high-Z) output signal that’s appropriate for all guitar amps and pedals, but not pro audio gear. For a guitar signal to match the levels required by a mixing board, it needs to be converted. This is accomplished using a transformer, which is the beating heart of the DI.