Can a DI Box be Used for Microphone Input?

[dreamroad]

Is it O.K. to use a Behringer DI-100 active direct box to input my Shure SM57 in to my computer sound card for recording?
Or, are these boxes made specifically for instrument signals?

I'd appreciate any answers, I need to know a.s.a.p.
Thanks;
CB

Can a DI Box be Used for Microphone Input?

 

[Rochey]

I don't normally like to shout but...

MUST YOU POST THIS BLOODY QUESTION ALL OVER THIS BOARD?????

Most of the users here jump back and forth between the various forums... multiple posting just pisses people off...


INCLUDING ME.

d


and to answer your question... No. A DI box only converts impedance, it will not bring your signal up to line level, the level required by your soundcard.

d

 

[chessrock]

ooookay. alrighty then.

Put in a little nicer (ahem!) context,

no.

Your D.I. box is meant to take an UNBALANCED instrument-level signal and convert it to a BALANCED line-level signal.

Your microphone should already be spitting out a balanced (albeit mic-level) signal. Plugging it in to an UNBALANCED input will only cause you further complications and issues.

In layman's terms, it's not a good idea, because the sound will suck.