The 8 Best Audio Direct Boxes (2023 reviews)

The pyle audio direct box should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. The world over, the ot-2 provides superior signal isolation from local ac and rf hum, and the ultimate in impedance matching. It is built to be used with signals alike for example stereo keyboards or similar. It has a wide and flat frequency response and good resistance to overload. It provides attenuation to interface a line or instrument output with a balanced microphone input. You can even plug your guitar, bass or keyboard amp’s speaker output into the pdc22, which can handle ratings and still deliver a perfect signal.

It's really just a pusher for the button which is internal, but in pushing it back on, it is now more recessed than the other one on that box. These are great for a permanent installation, or for musicians who don't do a whole bunch of traveling.

Why We Like This:

Works very nicely as a passive di
A must tool for any working musician or audio tech
More hum or any other annoying signal noise

Best For computer: Radial Engineering Audio Direct Box

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Best part: radial engineering audio direct box costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. This direct box is excellent for eliminating noise in the line. Because they are 2 channel, they are particularly handy for stereo instruments like keyboard, or guitar through stage effects processors. It is truly an interference and artifact trap. It is easy to use, and most importantly it delivers a clean signal.

What really sets this di box apart is its durability. It is a passive direct box, so there isn't much that can go wrong. This thing could definitely handle some road wear. It is suitable for live applications.

Why We Like This:

Buzz / hum, quiet as a church mouse
Delivers what they promise

Best For synth: Mackie Audio Direct Box

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Not everyone likes to purchase box for their regular usage, but the mackie audio direct box would be an anomoly. This is an “active” DI box, meaning that it needs a battery or phantom power from the mixer. It can use as stereo, two inputs with separate xlr outs, or one input with two separate xlrs out. It is a line-level signal converter to an xlr output. This unit does not require any power. It is great with no buzz or hum.

If you are using your own board, this is a cool piece of hardware and has a lot of nice features like the 15db pad, the ability to combine two sources or use the second 1/4" jack as a "through" jack. This last feature is actually very useful not only for driving an amp onstage as a monitor while the low-Z signal goes to the mixer.

Why We Like This:

Tons of flexibility, small enough to fit on a pedal board, and quiet
More buzzing sound from the computer through the mixer console
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best With headphone out: Whirlwind Audio Direct Box

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention whirlwind audio direct box for daily purpose. For a presenter or an A/V tech, it is a clean and classy solution. The Whirlwind poddi is a passive direct box that's purpose built for patching ipods, cd players, laptops, and any other consumer music device into your mixing console. This DI box converts RCA or 3 mm inputs to XLR output. It maintains audio fidelity completely. It comes with stereo input and mono output. This will reduce noise coming from a 3.5m jack and going into a XLR connector. It is perfectly, without any hiss or hum.

Why We Like This:

Connects 1/8 inch and rca components directly
A must for djing or sound reinforcement
Delivers what they promise

Best With Phantom Power: Radial Audio Direct Box

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Radial is known for creating pragmatic and minimalist box for people on the go, and its line of radial audio direct box definitely falls in line with that reputation. It is a passive di that takes an unbalanced stereo signal and sends it through a pair of custom-wound transformers, which balances the signal for cable runs of up to 300 feet. It does NOT need phantom power and you would use it at mic level. It is also fitted with a ground-lift switch.

Why We Like This:

A great way to get sound audio from your laptop to the sound system
New and hot release

Best For Keyboardists: Yovus Audio Direct Box

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Compared with other box in this category, the yovus audio direct box has a convenient design. It features most engineers would require (at bare minimum at least), ground lift, several pad options, and output and the case is relatively beefy. It includes a ground lift switch and 2 levels of padding. The ground lift feature is nice and has worked to solve low hz noise and hum with some musicians older and cheaper equipment. It is great for keyboardists, acoustic & electric guitarists, bassists, and other instrumentalists needing to plug into the snake on stage.

Why We Like This:

One of the new comers and featured product
Good brand reputation

Best For splitting signals: ART Audio Direct Box

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Art has been making great box for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and appropriate materials. The art av direct is more versatile for its various connection options. It can be used in a church setting to take an unbalanced connection to a balanced signal from a cd player to sound board, and computer to soundboard. It has stereo rca, 1/8th inch and 1/4-inch trs line level inputs, as well as a 1/4-inch and bare wire pressure clip speaker level inputs. It has the design for best grip fit.

The independent volume control on the DA is a really nice feature. It makes it much easier to simply set a max volume at the board, then control the volume at the source when the presentation begins. It is great for the imac to sound system.

Why We Like This:

A solidly built product that performs very well
Great di solution for varying input needs
Works well and is road worthy
Just an excellent inexpensive directbox that can be used for many applications

Best For Bass: Samson Audio Direct Box

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The samson audio direct box is suitable and reliable and fits well with your regular usage. The MD1 Pro is a big step forward in quality for Samson direct boxes. It provides an easy way to get a balanced xlr out to the sound system. The new metal body makes it way more rugged compared to previous models and is a must have for any club or caf. The MD1 Pro allows balanced lines to be sent from your instrument long distances without inducing noise. It provides a very nice clean signal which works well with the amp sims.

The MD1 Pro’s 2 thru jacks enable you to pass the signals from the inputs to amplifiers or monitors without affecting the original audio. Its chassis is rugged and will hold up to countless jobs, and also includes an attenuation switch to add versatility for different. This is the most versatile direct box to have.

Why We Like This: