Can anyone tell me....

[Evil Undead]

In the simplest possible terms, what a DI box is, what it's for, and how I would use one?

[thumpbass1]

A DI box in it's simplest form allows you to plug in your high impedance instrument, such as a standard passive guitar and bass, and it converts the HI Z signal to a low impedance signal that can match up to the input of a mixing console in the studio, or to the p.a. in live application, via an XLR or standard output jack. That's the simplest way to describe a basic DI box. However many DI boxes on the market can also do the duty of being a preamp, complete with tone/e.q. shaping, and not only can they convert a HI Z signal to low impedance with outputs in XLR and standard output jacks, but they may offer an extra output of letting you send a standard HI Z signal of your instrument unaffected as well, along with other bells and whistles. Tech 21 is known for its Sansamp series of DI/tone shaping devices of this nature, as are other companies. Dedicated preamps also offer DI function as do many bass amps being made today. I hope this helps.

[Gearhead17]

The first response is correct.

In simpler terms - A DI box is a "magic box" which takes whatever sound you give it and sends it to the sound guy so he has your bass tone. The DI box allows your signal to travel easily over 100' without signal degradation.

Very helpful at shows because you can send the sound of your bass guitar only and the sound guy messes only with that tone. You can mess with your stage amp any way you want since he does not get any part of that signal.

The XLR output on your bass head is basically a "DI box" and will serve the same purpose. You can usually set the head to give the XLR output the sound of the heads' controls (post) or just what you plugged into the input of it (pre)

[Implosion]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

In the simplest possible terms, what a DI box is, what it's for, and how I would use one?

Your post has about twenty words in it. Typing DI box in Google only requires two.

[Evil Undead]

Originally Posted by Implosion

Your post has about twenty words in it. Typing DI box in Google only requires two.

Google only brings up related gibberish.

And there's no need to be a male organ.

[skychief]

o dear! boys, BOYS!!!

The great thing is, most quality modern amps (heads & combos) have an onboard DI output.

But if your playing thru an old vintage bassman, you'll be needing one of these goodies for going into the PA or recording equipment.