Tapco DB-1A

DB-1A description:

Not every instrument is made to connect directly to a mixer. Guitars and basses have a lower output signal level, and their output is not balanced. If you plug them straight into a mixer, you have to jack the preamp level to the max just to get a quiet, wimpy sound. Most keyboards have unbalanced outputs, which means if you try to use long cables, they can pick up all sorts of noise. Direct Injection Boxes solve these and other sticky studio and live difficulties.

DB Series common features. The DB Series direct boxes convert unbalanced line-level signals to balanced mic-level output and provide signal and impedance matching for the direct connection of instruments like guitars, basses and keyboards to amplifiers and mixers. This lets you use send your instrument signal through long cables or audio snakes without picking up interference and without high-frequency loss. A 1/4" Input jack is provided for connecting instrument or speaker-level signals, and a separate 1/4" Thru jack allows the unbalanced signal to be sent to an onstage amplifier while the balanced signal is sent to a mixer. A ground Lift switch helps eliminate hum and buzz problems in musical instrument hookups.

The DB-1A is an Active direct box that can be powered either internally by two 9-volt batteries or externally by phantom power from a mixer.

• Input: Connect the signal source to this 1/4" unbalanced TS jack.
• Power LED: Indicates when the battery or Phantom power is applied.
• Thru: This 1/4" input lets you connect an instrument to an amplifier onstage.
• Pickup/Line: Lets you optimize for instruments like guitars and basses or keyboards
• Speaker: Configures input to accept speaker level outputs, from a guitar amp for example.
• Ground/Lift: Helps to eliminate buzz and hum due to ground loops in the sound system.
• Output: This balanced XLR jack provides a low-impedance mic-level signal for connecting to a microphone input on a mixer. If the mixer has phantom power, it can be used to power the DB-1A, which automatically switches power away to save battery life.
• Frequency Response: 100 Hz – 20 kHz (+/– 0.05 dBm); 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+/– 0.80 dBm)
• Maximum Input Level Pickup: +8 dBm
• Maximum Input Level Line: +15 dBm
• Maximum Input Level Speaker: +35 dBm
• Input Impedance Pickup: 10M ohm
• Input Impedance Line: 10M ohm
• Input Impedance Speaker: 11k ohm
• Gain Pickup: –8 dBm
• Gain Line: –28 dBm
• Gain Speaker: –48 dBm
• Residual Noise Pickup: –106 dBm
• Residual Noise Line: –109 dBm
• Residual Noise Speaker: –109 dBm
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (with 15 dB headroom) Pickup: –99 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (with 15 dB headroom) Line: –109 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (with 15 dB headroom) Speaker: –89 dB
• Rise Time: 1 microsecond, no overshoot
• THD + Noise: 0.01%
• Output Impedance: 200 ohms
• Power Requirements: 48 V phantom power or two 9 V batteries
• Battery Life: 300 hours
• Current Draw: < 7 mA DC
• Dimensions: Height 2.0 in/51 mm, Width 4.3 in/109 mm, Depth 4.0 in/102 mm
• Weight: 14 oz