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DI: Passive vs. . Active

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Submitted by blaumph2cool on Mon, 08/15/2005 - 13:47

Okay, i know this might be basic knowledge for most. but.

What are the main differences between Passive and Active DI's and what applications would i use either on respectively.

thanks,
-Blaumph

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Kev

passive has the advantages of simplicity
... and reliability of zero power requirements ... grounding and any conflicting power supplies can almost be eliminated as a problem

disadvatages can be related to lack of energy or power transfer from some of the very weak sources like Strats (single coil) and Piezo pick-ups

active will provide a very high impedance input and some gain if required

can also provide for multiple buffered outputs

Mon, 08/15/2005 - 15:25 Permalink
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CoyoteTrax

You know man, sometimes, passive is ust exactly what you need.

Active isn't always the answer.

If you want to take a high impedence instrument like a Strat and change the impedence to low impedence and add a little ground lift...Passive is the way to go IMO.

Single coils, Passive DI to 150 Ohms, plugged into a vintage all-tube pre and into some beautiful vintage 8 inch speakers with those old warm magnets....

Mmmmmmm Good! Doesn't get quieter or thicker or more tasty than that for a deserving Fender Strat. :lol:

Mon, 08/15/2005 - 18:30 Permalink
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Kev

The CountryMan is a very famous FET high imp input active DI
... it still requires a Mic-pre to get to line level for the recorder

I think it takes a good transformer to handle some single coil pick-ups well.

Jensen and others have some fine Transformers that will make an excellent passive DI box
... some of these can be configured to RE AMP-lify the recorded DI'd signal

My favourite DI is a non-name passive unit.
you can never have too many passive and active adapter boxes.
8)

Mon, 08/15/2005 - 21:04 Permalink
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Kev

It could be just the thing

difficult to say for sure as I would need to know more about it

a re-amplifying unit can be as simple as a sheilded cable with the appropriate connectors and wiring at each end
a more complicated box provides the facilities to earth lift with level and impedance matching to get the most out of both source and destination

a simple idea is all the job may call for

Tue, 08/16/2005 - 20:14 Permalink