I’ve been using this direct box since it first came out. I’ve used it with piezo guitar pickups, electric guitar pickups, it’s my goto for electric bass guitar, this D.I. box never sounds bad.
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| INPUT SIDE |
This is a great Direct Interface, period. It is a low priced product to be wearing the Rupert Neve name but it is a class act in every respect. When I first heard Mr Neve was going to produce a direct box I guessed it would be $800, I was quite shocked when it hit the market and was under $300. I ordered one immediately and it has become my standard of reference.
LIKES
Low noise, sweet sound, high headroom. Works immensely well in a huge variety of circumstances.
Compact smooth steel enclosure.
The jacks mate smoothly with a variety of connector brands.
LED confirms phantom power is on.
The switch controls are very recessed so you won't hit them accidentally.
DISLIKES
Pricey
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| OUTPUT SIDE |
EPILOGUE RNDI
Looking for words to describe this direct box reminded me of “laboratory grade” or “military specification”. It is solidly built without being silly. The steel enclosure is much better than aluminum for RF shielding. There are no sharp edges on the enclosure. The face panels and controls are easy to read in dim lighting.
If you need a high quality direct box that won’t color your sound or load down your guitar pickups the RNDI is an easy choice.
Enjoy the journey, Good Music To You!
RNDI SPECIFICATIONS
NOISE
Measured Output, un-weighted, 22Hz-22kHz, source impedance 150 Ohm to 10K Ohm.
Better than -110 dBV
INPUT IMPEDANCE Instrument Setting: 2.2 Meg Ohm
Speaker Setting: 200K Ohm
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
Less than 40 Ohm
FREQUENCY RESPONSE +/- 0.25 dB from 25 Hz – 44 kHz
+/- 1 dB from 12.5 Hz – 63 kHz
-3 dBu @ 92 kHz
MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL
Instrument = +21 dBu
Typical Speaker = +41.5 dBu, 92 Vrms (266Vp-p)
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
+11.5 dBu output at maximum input level
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE @ 1 kHz, +20 dBu input level: 0.25% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)
@ 1 kHz, -20 dBu input level: 0.015% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)
@ 20 Hz, -20 dBu input level: 0.75% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)
POWER REQUIREMENTS Phantom power, 4.5mA @ +48VDC
WEIGHT 1.5lbs
DIMENSIONS 6.25” long x 4”wide x 1.5” high
This article is ©2021 by Mark King. It’s not ok to copy or quote without written permission.
