A DI generally takes an instrument level in, and bumps it up to a line level output.Can someone please explain to me the difference between line level inputs and DI, and also how each would/could be used?
Thanks.
A DI generally takes an instrument level in, and bumps it up to a line level output.
Instrument pickups are generally passive devices that only generate a very small voltage from magnetic differences created by vibrations in the conductor or the field surrounding it... These need to be amplified to a useable level...
The same holds true for a dynamic microphone, and to a similar degree to a condensor mic (which is not passive in design, but still need additional amplification)
You are confusing a DI box with the DI input of a preamp. Two slightly different things.My understanding was that a DI turn a signal from an unbalanced signal to a balanced signal. So a bass guitar going straight to the PA would have an unbalanced signal coming out of the bass, but if you put the bass into a DI box first, then you get a balanced signal, and all the positives associated with that? But I might be wrong.
Andrew.
A DI generally takes an instrument level in, and bumps it up to a line level output.
Instrument pickups are generally passive devices that only generate a very small voltage from magnetic differences created by vibrations in the conductor or the field surrounding it... These need to be amplified to a useable level...
The same holds true for a dynamic microphone, and to a similar degree to a condensor mic (which is not passive in design, but still need additional amplification)
This would take the output of a preamp... and you won't find one on a stand alone preamp...What would someone use a Line Level input for?
This would take the output of a preamp... and you won't find one on a stand alone preamp...
Some channel strips will include a line level input to access the compressor and/or eq as an external insert (typically bypassing the preamp).
So I'm trying to figure out if I'd ever have any use for the line level input. I have no idea what it's used for.
I would get a basic engineering book and do some reading.
Maybe I do get it but I just don't know it. Would/Could a line level input on a preamp be used this way? Suppose you created a midi track, converted it to audio, and wanted to 'color' it. Would you send that audio track from the mixer through the line level input? Is that it's purpose?
The line level input will, in most cases, bypass the preamp circuit all together.
A DI generally takes an instrument level in, and bumps it up to a line level output.
Instrument pickups are generally passive devices that only generate a very small voltage from magnetic differences created by vibrations in the conductor or the field surrounding it... These need to be amplified to a useable level...
The same holds true for a dynamic microphone, and to a similar degree to a condensor mic (which is not passive in design, but still need additional amplification)
The OP was specifically questioning levels, I was commented on the DI (instrument) input level of a preamp... which I believe was answering the question. I should have been more specific.line level inputs and DI
It sounds like there is some confusion going on between instrument level versus line level .... and balanced versus unbalanced.
To use an example ... a bass guitar signal is going to be coming in on an unbalanced cable at instrument level (in most cases, assuming it has passive pickups, etc.).
In order to get a good recording of it, you need to boost the signal up to line-level. This requires a preamp of some sorts -- to "amp" it, bassically. Up to line level.
Now whether or not this will require a DI ... depends entirely on what kind of input this "preamp" has. If the preamp has an unbalanced quarter-inch input, then you're set, and you don't need anything else. Unless of course you're doing a long cable run -- in which case, you'll want to run it in to a DI to balance the signal.
On the other hand, if all you have are balanced inputs, then you'll need to use a DI to balance the signal regardless. ... THEN you amplify the signal to line-level with the preamp.
Make sense?
Because it doesn't need that kind of amplification, right? So is the application I described something that it might be used for?
The OP was specifically questioning levels, I was commented on the DI (instrument) input level of a preamp... which I believe was answering the question. I should have been more specific.
And yes the pricipal role of a stand alone passive DI box is to balance an unbalanced line.
Where is the "color" coming from?
I think I'll understand this better if I'm given a specific practical example of an application rather than an overview of how it works.