Why do people call it a "DI" if it's an output?

[bucephylus]

COVID has made you cats bored.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

The "I" in "DI" is not necessarily for "Input". According to Wiki:

"DI units are also referred to as a DI box, direct box, or simply DI, with each letter pronounced, as in "Dee Eye." The term is variously claimed to stand for direct input, direct injection, direct induction or direct interface."

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Am I mistaken in thinking DI=direct input? Is this just a case of faulty language that's repeated in zombie fashion (like the use of "same difference" to actually mean "same"), or have I had a brain cramp (again)?

direct interface is what I thought it stood for. More importantly, it’s better to know what it’s for than what it’s called.

 

[ImaStupidBaby]

Every DI device has an input and an output. You just can’t see the input since it’s buried in your amp. You can only see the output of the DI.

the correct term for that could be: “direct input output”.

yes but it could also be direct output input since it's directly outputting what is input with no speakers

 

[Astronaut]

As referred before the “injection” term is erroneous and came out of popular misspeaking.

 

[NKBassman]

There’s already enough riffraff on whether that 1/4” jack on the bottom (or side or end, whatever) of the bass is an input jack or an output jack. No need to send the DI down that rabbit hole….

This is not up for debate. A bass does not have an input jack.

 

[Drucifer]

'Balanced Direct Out ¼” TRS (stereo) jack socket '​

So your Effectrode Blackbird has a DO.

 

[Redbrangus]

Regardless (or 'irregardless', if you live where I do) of what it once was an abbreviation for, in actual usage we can pretty much just say it now stands for "DIrect". It's a 'DIrect box', a 'DIrect out', a 'DIrect Output', or simply just a 'DI'. It really couldn't be less important what the origin story is.

 

[DirtDog]

As referred before the “injection” term is erroneous and came out of popular misspeaking.

The whole notion of it being called "direct" anything is erroneous as well, IMO. Direct box, direct injection, direct input....the fact that there's some sort of circuitry in the middle suggests its hardly "direct". If anything, it should be called a "converter".

Terminology is a funny thing.

 

[bobalu]

Both direct injection and direct input describes the signal and the device that creates it. There is an output on the device for the DI signal.

^^^^ Yep, "DI" refers to the "function" of the jack, not the jack itself, as in "Use the DI out jack to connect to the board....". That's what I've always heard sound guys yell at me anyway.

Now, what's the difference between "flammable" and "inflammable"?

 

[707GK]

“XLR out” is what I prefer to call it.

 

[Crater]

Is this just a case of faulty language that's repeated in zombie fashion

Yeah, guitarists have been dealing with this kind of thing for what, 60 years now? We all love Leo Fender, but he's not so great on his Italian language musical terms. The feature on Fender guitar amps that's referred to as a "vibrato" is of course, a tremolo. The "whammy bar" on a Stratocaster is called a "tremolo" by Fender, but of course it's actually a vibrato bar.
Tremolo = periodic variation in volume
Vibrato = periodic variation in pitch

 

[Jefus]

One company tried to alleviate the confusion.

Now if you'll pardon me, I've got to go unthaw some chicken.

 

[Matthijs]

Anyone interested in a talk about when a bridge is ‘open’ or ‘closed’ ?

 

[beans-on-toast]

View attachment 4213374

One company tried to alleviate the confusion.

Now if you'll pardon me, I've got to go unthaw some chicken.

That wouldn’t be white cat hair all over your pedal would it?

 

[JPaulGeddy]

Or when it's hot, do you turn the AC up or down?

 

[beans-on-toast]

Anyone interested in a talk about when a bridge is ‘open’ or ‘closed’ ?

You should be used to that in Amsterdam. Standby on and off needs an EU standard.

 

[Jefus]

That wouldn’t be white cat hair all over your pedal would it?

I mean, I'm kinda surprised there isn't more. I took this picture to "save" my settings for a project I'm working on because she keeps rubbing against it and turning the knobs.

 

[agedhorse]

As referred before the “injection” term is erroneous and came out of popular misspeaking.

Historically, direct injection is a UK/European term and direct input is a US term.

These terms became “commonly” used in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

 

[René_Julien]

Inflammable means flammable? What a country!