ART dPDB Dual Channel Passive DI Box
SKU
Price range: $10 through $55
Dual channel passive DI box — converts high-impedance instrument signals to balanced XLR for mixers and interfaces. Switchable attenuation (0dB / -20dB / -40dB) and ground lift per channel. No power required. Handles guitar, bass, keyboards, DJ output, and speaker-level signals.
Description
The ART dPDB is a dual channel passive direct injection box — a no-nonsense, road-ready DI that converts high-impedance instrument signals into the balanced low-impedance signals your mixer or audio interface needs. Two independent channels in one rugged steel enclosure means you can DI a stereo keyboard, two guitars, or a bass and a synth simultaneously.
Passive design means no batteries, no phantom power, no failure points — just clean signal conversion every time. Switchable input attenuation and ground lift on each channel handle everything from a quiet guitar pickup to a line-level keyboard to a speaker-level amp output.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Channels 2 (dual mono) |
Type Passive (no power required) |
| Instrument Input 1/4″ — 50k ohm |
Parallel Link 1/4″ — 50k ohm (thru) |
| XLR Output Balanced — 600 ohm |
Input Attenuation Switchable: 0dB, -20dB, -40dB |
| Ground Lift Switchable per channel |
Power None required |
| Build Rugged steel chassis |
Accepts Instrument, line, speaker level |
BEST FOR
DI Box Rental Tips
If you hear a 60Hz hum after connecting, flip the ground lift switch. This breaks the ground loop that causes the buzz. Start without it engaged and only flip it if hum appears — it’s the single most useful troubleshooting step for DI noise issues.
Keyboards and DJ mixers output line level which can clip a passive DI at 0dB. Switch to -20dB attenuation for line level sources. Use -40dB only for hot speaker-level signals from a power amp output.
The parallel 1/4″ link jack passes the signal through unchanged to your instrument amp. Plug your guitar into the input, run the XLR to the mixer, and the parallel link to your amp — you get both simultaneously with no signal loss.
For stereo keyboards, DJ mixers, or any stereo source, use Channel 1 for left and Channel 2 for right. Each channel is completely independent with its own attenuation and ground lift controls.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s the difference between active and passive DI?
Passive DI boxes use a transformer to convert the signal — no power needed. They work well with most instrument and line level sources. Active DI boxes use a powered circuit that can handle weaker signals (like a bass with low output pickups) and often have a flatter frequency response. For most applications a passive DI like the dPDB is the right choice — simpler, more reliable, and no batteries to die mid-show.
Do I need to plug both channels in?
No — the two channels are completely independent. You can use just one if you only have a mono source. The second channel simply sits unused with no effect on the first.
Can I use this for recording?
Yes — connect the XLR output to an XLR input on your audio interface or preamp. This is a common way to record guitar or bass direct without an amp, or to capture a clean DI track alongside a miked amp signal for re-amping later.
Does it accept speaker-level signals from a power amp?
Yes — the -40dB attenuation setting is designed for this. This lets you tap the speaker output of a power amp and send it directly to a mixer, capturing the post-amp tone. Use the -40dB pad and be careful not to exceed the unit’s input handling — check your amp’s output power before doing this.
Rent the ART dPDB Dual Channel Passive DI Box in Williams Lake, BC — available by appointment from Gear Locker, serving photographers, filmmakers, videographers, wedding professionals, event planners, corporate event coordinators, and production crews across the Cariboo-Chilcotin region.
| Rental Duration | 1 Day, 2 Days, 3 Days, 4 Days, 1 Week, 2 Weeks, 3 Weeks, 1 Month |
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