That direct box (Behringer Ultra-DI 20), it is already noisy by default, due to the integrated circuits (TL062) that the circuit has; so it is most likely that the LIFT / GND switch that it carries, have been put to mitigate as much as possible the frightful noise that they cause with the said integrated circuit. I acquired that direct box and I went through the same thing. What I did was buy two integrated circuits TL074 (or could be TL084 too) surface mount (since it has two, one for each channel) and replaced the ones I brought with them ... and it worked, since they have the same configuration TL062 but they generate much less noise.
TL062 is more noisy cos' they draws less current (which is extends battery life). So, yes, replacing by TL072 have a sense (but, of course, decreases battery lifetime)
I have one of those and I hate using 9 volt batteries so I installed a center negative 9 volt power input jack, I run it off of a cheap Donner wallwarts power supply. It's only a $12 power supply but it has a very low noise floor, honestly I never hear any artifacts in the audio. You can add your own power input buy just wiring it straight to the battery connector. I cut the battery connector wires loose and soldered them directly to the jack.
If folks don't fancy voiding the warranty - a nice alternative is 9v USB rechargeable battery. They come in a number of amperage outputs - I got a bunch of 1.2 mA ones. Really work well. The only caveat is that they are a bit all or nothing - there's not a fade off like traditional batteries. That said, they are good for a number of hours (roughly 3 in my experience) at least - so will do a gig or two. Brought a second one for backup, as price point is in a good place.
If you are using a mono guitar cable into this a problem occurs. The 1/4 jacks are TRS and truly balanced. The poor connection between a guitar cable sleeve and the RING contact causes noise. I have modified two of my units to bridge the ring and sleeve to avoid the problem. Opening the unit, two small jumpers were installed between pins of the little board connector to simply bridge the ring and sleeve without major disassembly. Without the mod you will get major noise and crosstalk using mono guitar cables.
The specific noise of which you speak is apparently caused by loose cable jack connections between and among pedals and other loose connections. Slightly touching the cables or pedals can jolt the loose connections around the jacks, causing sometimes 'very' loud and potentially damaging 'pops' that are heard very loudly thru the PA speakers. From my experience I am inclined to agree that significant noise can be caused, such as popping, by using incorrect or out of spec cables (loose 1/4" jacks?) or pedals that may also contain loose cable jack connections. My best results with going into the mixer and PA have been when using 'only' excellent quality and correct cables (trs, xlr), and by using only high quality pedals known ahead of time to work well in the DI cirvuit signal chain to the mixer and PA. High quality xlr cables connected to a good di box is a starting point. My best results have been from using actual stand alome direct boxes rather than an inexpensive guitar multi pedal with a side xlr jack. An actual DI box works best for me, passive and active. I like an active DI box when possible. A person has to be careful when chaining a bunch of guitar pedals into a DI box and big PA speaker system because of noise generated among all those jack junctions and cables. Plus I don't think that trs cables can always be used directly plugged into a guitar, as a guitar cable, because trs cables will not work when plugged into many guitar pedals. For best sound quality and low noise trs and xlr cables should be used rather than ts guitar cables everywhere in the chain from the guitar to the mixer and PA. And xlr cables should be used instead of trs cables for professional use if possible. These steps can help you build a good guitar direct system into a PA or powered speaker system. My best results have produced great sound without noise or loud popping sounds by using a simple signal chain to the DI box input jack. That is: Electric or acoustic electric guitar to Boss GT1 guitar processor pedal; trs cable from Boss GT1 processor pedal to the active mono direct box. Xlr cable from the active mono direct box to the Yamaha mixing board. Then from the mixing board xlr output cables connect to the powered 10" JBL subwoofer and 5" nearfield stereo JBL speaker monitors. This is silent. Pull up on the volume pedal of the Boss GT1 guitar processor pedal to very effectively 'mute' the guitar from the PA system so that you can unplug your guitar without producing a very loud popping sound through the expensive PA speaker system. I have no other guitar pedals hooked up to this set up. The Boss GT1 processor has all of the effects and other parameters. Guitar players should be especially careful about noise when plugging into typical front of house systems found at gigs. Accidentally kicking your pedalboard might cause a really loud 'bang' thru the PA speakers.
Love this little box, anywhere I go I use it, there are more functions than we think, 1. DVD player audio output to Mic input of P.A.System @-40db setting and use 1/4" TS plug adapter; 2. Mixer unbalanced output to extended XLR balanced Monitor Speakers; 3.Guitar to Mixer; 4. Mono Audio to XLR Balanced Mixer and hook up to Monitor Speaker; it sounds great, haven't had any sound distortion yet and I always carry a small Philip head screwdriver to remove 9 volts battery when not in use, Ground Lift helps AC Hum removal, thanks to Kennis to show us the video.
If you don't turn the on/off switch on it's not an active D.I. box. Active D.I's need power. That's not a phantom switch (if it was it would be labelled "48v"
I have to say I sue one of those for years now and its never let me down. Great product from Behringer . Oh.yes I tend to us the phantom power most of the times for the obvious reasons.
Hi Thanks for the Informative review, I've just ordered one of these from GAK, hopefully it will be without the hiss that some of the other comments mention.
You may have lucked out with yours or more than one I don't know. Musicians Friend gave me my money back no problem and told me not bother sending the pedal back to them since it was such a cheap item. Hiss with or without phantom power also the switching from the channels was wonky. The instrument in the first channel comes through the second channel no matter where the switch is. Loved your video, you do a great job. I bought the Dean Markley UltraSound DI Plus. It's like the difference between a Yugo and Lexus. $135.00 shipped verses $24.95 shipped.
I have 4 of them and all are 5 years old or older. I have had no issues with noise or sound quality. I use phantom power on all of mine instead of the battery. The DI20's sound just as good as my $180.00 standard of the industry Countryman 85's. I also think you received a bad one.
What about noize with fanthom power? Have the buzzing while my notebook connected to power source, need to eliminate that for recordings. If this box have a humming by default, should I find another di box?
Great video man very helpful, just one question can i use it directly for my recording purpose with an acoustic guitar and a condenser mic ? Please do let me know thanks.
Hi, great video. I would like to connect a condenser mic that is connect to a Boss VE20 that I used with my alto sax and then try to connect my iPad to play along with my sax, but the issue is that is connected to one input of the mixer. I try to use a XLR splitter but the condenser mic did not function well and the volume was very low. Do you have any suggestion to connect both signals into one mixer input?
Love the videos man. You're the reason I play a Godin XTSA and GR-55 at my church. A few years ago I tried a DI20 for my GR-55 at church. I don't know if I got a faulty one or not but mine always had a terrible hum no matter what I tried. I finally upgraded to a different dual DI box and cleared it up. Keep makin the videos!
Hi, just doing a bit of research on making these intp a usable item. It would seem the resistor configuration is the main culprit for the noise and not the op-amp. Other circuits us the same chip and are much quieter. I'll probably look at changing resistors as per recommendations on this site; www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/searching-for-high-audio-quality-low-noise-low-power-opamp-for-di-box-upgrade/ I think even if I break the unit, it will render them (Yes, I have two) as unusable as they already are. Through a large PA, it's just embarassing to own up to being the sound guy who put them in the system!
@@pvanb291 Thanks for the reply. I doubt I am the kind of guy who will do the tech tweaking you refer to, so I might just need to buy a better di box, but will check out the link anyway. Either way, it’s reassuring to know that the issue is not isolated to my device. Thanks.
Hi. I'm thinking of buying this equipment for live performances. It would be to connect a bass and your pedals to the table through the direct box. Will the sound be quality? Would you indicate the purchase?
The "channel 1 output" is only if you set the second switch to "Link" mode. Then the second jack input works as a mirror output of channel 1 and the second XLR output also mirrors channel 1. If you set the second switch to ""2-Channel" then it just work as a stereo DI (or as if you had two separate mono DIs), so you have two separate jack inputs which output to two separate XLR outputs.
I have several active DI boxes, and the Behringer ULTRA-DI DI20 is the worst one. Too noise, to much hiss, even using batteries (easily audible in a simple DI comparison). So it results in a very very poor signal / noise ratio. When testing with RightMark Audio, this DI box displays the worst statistics comparing to other DI boxes, not only S/N ratio; %THD distortion is too high, high crossover, and frequency response too far from a flat one. Don't buy this one, you can buy two cheaper active DI boxes, but displaying higher quality (Example: I bought two Nady ADI-1 for stereo, spending less than a single Behringer DI20, and far better than this one ... I guess is not too difficult to beat this active DI box, even for cheaper boxes).
Hi Kennis, I am busy building a travel case/Pedal Board for my Live looping gear and looking at installing 4 of these babies into the box (I will be running my various instruments into 4 Boss AB-2 Foot Switches so that I can select to send each individual instrument to either a clean dry channel or to the loop station), I dont have any Di-20 boxes at my disposal atm and really need the exact dimensions (in mm) to be sure I build the box correctly. I have looked at the owners manual but the measurements they give are definitely WAY OFF, The manual gives the following dimensions in mm; 150 x 130 x 60mm.. There is no way these tiny boxes are 150mm deep or 130mm wide, I can see them being 60mm high but the other 2 measurements are way too much. Would I be a pain if I asked if you could perhaps measure one of these in mm and comment here? Please brutha.. ;)
I wish Behringer would make a re-amp box for $30. Passive reamps are $100 minimum, and of you want TRS inputs its $200. Ad an FX loop, $250. I’d buy one. Its not something I need all the time but still need it ya know?
Hey! Great video! Is this DI box good for recording heavy metal style guitars? I have passive pickups and a M audio M track II external sound card and I will use amp&cab simulators. Please answer! Thank you!
I have the same situation as yours. I have a Scarlett Solo and I heard mixed to negative comments/reviews about the Behringer products (tried some myself too) so I just ordered an ART XDirect DI Box. It will arrive in a couple of days. If you still won't buy any DI boxes till then I'll let you know about my experience with the ART XDirect.
@@AleArzMusic hey again. Di box arrived today and guess what? It didn't do anything much beside adding some clarity to the sound. It also reduced the hum and buzz but not that much i can still hear it. I'm thinking of saving money to buy a Radial J48. I hope behringer works for you mate. Cheers!
@@LuluBanzai hey thanks for letting me know. Is there any specific setting to boost in your Di box? I've just got a Behringer ULTRA DI 100 off of AZ, I'm going to test and review it in ten days hopefully.
@@AleArzMusic you are welcome man and nope no boost. It just has a phase invert button, a filter button, 2x -20db attenuator buttons and a ground/lift button. Fyi my seymour duncan sh4 equipped guitar has more hum/buzz compared to my sh5 equipped guitar. Maybe it is because of sh4 being alnico and sh5 ceramic i dunno. The reviews on the internet says radial di boxes eliminates the buzzing completely btw. Well that's all from me XD
@@kennisrussell it is my understanding that the DI20 can be powered with phantom power instead of using a 9V battery. Since you are using it with a console that is capable of providing phantom power, it seems like it would be much less of a hassle to use the phantom power instead of working with batteries.
Bought this based on your review. Readers Digest Version JUNK! Just got one $24.95 shipped Musicians Friend. My experience with it is it has lived up to Behringers reputation of hit and miss in quality. This is a big miss, it is cheap made and hissy and you get exactly what you pay for cheap. Just my experience here cheap cheap cheap cheap low quality don't buy one. Spend a little more and get a quality DI.
***** I've never used a DI box that didn't destroy my tone. I have had zero luck with DI boxes. Every time a sound guy want's me to use a DI box it's a disaster. That's because a DI box has a very difficult function, and that should be to somehow magically convert the direct input signal into sounding like a mic'ed amp cabinet signal. If it doesn't do that....then why use one? Why not just plug our guitar straight into the mixer? If I sound emotional, it's because I used to play for this stupid church who every week would bug me to use the DI box because they were certain electric guitar players were uncontrollable volume maniacs. So each week I had to plug into one of their DI boxes to prove the sound was going to be horrible. They kept suspecting I was doing something to make it sound bad so I wouldn't have to use the DI box and could then blast their church to satisfy my sinful lust.. Sorry, but every DI box I used sounded like I was plugging straight into the mixer, and that's a really bad sound, and I suspect this DI box would do the same thing, and so why make me watch a video about a device that hasn't been shown to sound good? It's probably because it sucks, and so you are no better than a used car salesman trying to sell a car with banana peels stuffed into the transmission. Yes, it's been done. My sister's father in law owned a used car lot and they actually did that.
I understand that your entitled to your own opinion and all, but i'm not sure you know what a DI box actually does. Please don't criticize something when you don't know the proper function of it. I can see why you thought it was meant to emulate a guitar cabinet, its a box most people use to plug instruments (especially guitars) into, as is an effect pedal that emulates an amp cabinet. All i'm saying is please read up on these things so you know what they are actually meant to do, before knocking it for something you just assume it does, but actually was never made to do. If you used it in the signal chain after an amp modeler then i'm sure you would have a different opinion. Just so you know for future reference, a DI box turns an unbalanced signal into a balanced signal. However hard you try, your guitar will NEVER keep an 'even' volume, this is a problem for the sound engineer. What a DI box does, is effectively 'smooth out' the signal, which doesn't effect your sound in any way, but makes the sound guys job a LOT easier. Your guitar should sound the same if you plugged directly into the board. Sorry to rant but it sort of annoys me. I'm not having a go at you, because I understand that if you think that's what it does, then how would you know that you're wrong? I just wanted to explain the difference between what you said and what it actually does. Hope this helps :)
Ben Walker Well, after reading your long appeal, I still have no idea why a rock guitarist would ever need a direct box. Oh yes, the sound guys want me to bring one, but what for? You say it will smooth out my signal, but I don't know what you are talking about. My signal is fine, and where would the DI box even go? I plug my guitar into my amp, and then a mic goes from in front of my amp to the snake or mixing board. Where does the DI box go? I read somewhere that the DI box goes between the amp and speaker! You know, I was an aerospace technician for 21 years troubleshooting fight control systems for commercial and military jets and yet this DI box has me baffled. If one more sound guy tells me to leave my amp at home and instead bring a DI box there's going to be trouble.
Sorry, I wasn't really very clear about the amp. If you have an amp, and it's got a mic on it, then you don't need a DI box, you would use it if there is no amp on stage instead if plugging directly into the board. Which might sometimes be difficult if you only have a snake with XLR's
Ben Walker But plugging in an electric guitar into a DI box always sounds terrible. So even if I had no mic or even an amp, the DI is not really feasible. I would just go home. LOL
i have NEVER played a gig without that DI box - I love that thing!!!
And they're virtually indestructible
That direct box (Behringer Ultra-DI 20), it is already noisy by default, due to the integrated circuits (TL062) that the circuit has; so it is most likely that the LIFT / GND switch that it carries, have been put to mitigate as much as possible the frightful noise that they cause with the said integrated circuit. I acquired that direct box and I went through the same thing. What I did was buy two integrated circuits TL074 (or could be TL084 too) surface mount (since it has two, one for each channel) and replaced the ones I brought with them ... and it worked, since they have the same configuration TL062 but they generate much less noise.
TL062 is more noisy cos' they draws less current (which is extends battery life). So, yes, replacing by TL072 have a sense (but, of course, decreases battery lifetime)
I have one of those and I hate using 9 volt batteries so I installed a center negative 9 volt power input jack, I run it off of a cheap Donner wallwarts power supply. It's only a $12 power supply but it has a very low noise floor, honestly I never hear any artifacts in the audio. You can add your own power input buy just wiring it straight to the battery connector. I cut the battery connector wires loose and soldered them directly to the jack.
@WorldRenownedCFE yes
If folks don't fancy voiding the warranty - a nice alternative is 9v USB rechargeable battery. They come in a number of amperage outputs - I got a bunch of 1.2 mA ones.
Really work well.
The only caveat is that they are a bit all or nothing - there's not a fade off like traditional batteries.
That said, they are good for a number of hours (roughly 3 in my experience) at least - so will do a gig or two.
Brought a second one for backup, as price point is in a good place.
If you are using a mono guitar cable into this a problem occurs. The 1/4 jacks are TRS and truly balanced. The poor connection between a guitar cable sleeve and the RING contact causes noise. I have modified two of my units to bridge the ring and sleeve to avoid the problem. Opening the unit, two small jumpers were installed between pins of the little board connector to simply bridge the ring and sleeve without major disassembly. Without the mod you will get major noise and crosstalk using mono guitar cables.
The specific noise of which you speak is apparently caused by loose cable jack connections between and among pedals and other loose connections. Slightly touching the cables or pedals can jolt the loose connections around the jacks, causing sometimes 'very' loud and potentially damaging 'pops' that are heard very loudly thru the PA speakers.
From my experience I am inclined to agree that significant noise can be caused, such as popping, by using incorrect or out of spec cables (loose 1/4" jacks?) or pedals that may also contain loose cable jack connections.
My best results with going into the mixer and PA have been when using 'only' excellent quality and correct cables (trs, xlr), and by using only high quality pedals known ahead of time to work well in the DI cirvuit signal chain to the mixer and PA.
High quality xlr cables connected to a good di box is a starting point. My best results have been from using actual stand alome direct boxes rather than an inexpensive guitar multi pedal with a side xlr jack. An actual DI box works best for me, passive and active. I like an active DI box when possible.
A person has to be careful when chaining a bunch of guitar pedals into a DI box and big PA speaker system because of noise generated among all those jack junctions and cables.
Plus I don't think that trs cables can always be used directly plugged into a guitar, as a guitar cable, because trs cables will not work when plugged into many guitar pedals.
For best sound quality and low noise trs and xlr cables should be used rather than ts guitar cables everywhere in the chain from the guitar to the mixer and PA. And xlr cables should be used instead of trs cables for professional use if possible. These steps can help you build a good guitar direct system into a PA or powered speaker system.
My best results have produced great sound without noise or loud popping sounds by using a simple signal chain to the DI box input jack. That is: Electric or acoustic electric guitar to Boss GT1 guitar processor pedal; trs cable from Boss GT1 processor pedal to the active mono direct box. Xlr cable from the active mono direct box to the Yamaha mixing board.
Then from the mixing board xlr output cables connect to the powered 10" JBL subwoofer and 5" nearfield stereo JBL speaker monitors.
This is silent. Pull up on the volume pedal of the Boss GT1 guitar processor pedal to very effectively 'mute' the guitar from the PA system so that you can unplug your guitar without producing a very loud popping sound through the expensive PA speaker system. I have no other guitar pedals hooked up to this set up. The Boss GT1 processor has all of the effects and other parameters.
Guitar players should be especially careful about noise when plugging into typical front of house systems found at gigs. Accidentally kicking your pedalboard might cause a really loud 'bang' thru the PA speakers.
Love this little box, anywhere I go I use it, there are more functions than we think, 1. DVD player audio output to Mic input of P.A.System @-40db setting and use 1/4" TS plug adapter; 2. Mixer unbalanced output to extended XLR balanced Monitor Speakers; 3.Guitar to Mixer; 4. Mono Audio to XLR Balanced Mixer and hook up to Monitor Speaker; it sounds great, haven't had any sound distortion yet and I always carry a small Philip head screwdriver to remove 9 volts battery when not in use, Ground Lift helps AC Hum removal, thanks to Kennis to show us the video.
Have had one of these units for years never really used it but now I see the versatility of it.
I actually own one of those and I have to say it is what anyone who has a recording studio or going live wants. So thumbs up for Behringer.
so we can use as personal monitor system by using 'link' feature, right???
Thanks for doing recordings at your church .Many blessings
Amen
Behringer products are awesome. Only company that can clone a Boss pedal and have it sound identical.
great review,... cheers for the info sir
Can I use it as a stereo out of my mixer to a camera 1/8 " ?
Do you think you can use this to plug two 1/4" inputs and send only one XLR out? Does it work that way?
You can use it as a passive di if there is no batery on it?
If you don't turn the on/off switch on it's not an active D.I. box. Active D.I's need power. That's not a phantom switch (if it was it would be labelled "48v"
I have to say I sue one of those for years now and its never let me down. Great product from Behringer . Oh.yes I tend to us the phantom power most of the times for the obvious reasons.
do i have to put out baterry, when i use phantom poer from mix pult ?? THANX
Behringer is awesome!
Hi Thanks for the Informative review, I've just ordered one of these from GAK, hopefully it will be without the hiss that some of the other comments mention.
iDominic42 did it hiss?
so it's the battery used to power on the DI , but can it be used without the battery so it can used as a passive DI?
You may have lucked out with yours or more than one I don't know. Musicians Friend gave me my money back no problem and told me not bother sending the pedal back to them since it was such a cheap item. Hiss with or without phantom power also the switching from the channels was wonky. The instrument in the first channel comes through the second channel no matter where the switch is. Loved your video, you do a great job. I bought the Dean Markley UltraSound DI Plus. It's like the difference between a Yugo and Lexus. $135.00 shipped verses $24.95 shipped.
I have 4 of them and all are 5 years old or older. I have had no issues with noise or sound quality. I use phantom power on all of mine instead of the battery. The DI20's sound just as good as my $180.00 standard of the industry Countryman 85's. I also think you received a bad one.
What about noize with fanthom power? Have the buzzing while my notebook connected to power source, need to eliminate that for recordings. If this box have a humming by default, should I find another di box?
Can we use it as a interface between a condensor microphone and a computer for home recording
No
Will this boost my guitar signal to the amp?
I do not understand when do i switch to lift and when to ground. Isn't better to be always in "Ground" to avoid ground loops?
I know this Is a silly question but, which side do I have to turn the screw on the battery compartimentos to? Left or right?
Great video man very helpful, just one question can i use it directly for my recording purpose with an acoustic guitar and a condenser mic ?
Please do let me know thanks.
+Kennis Russell and it can be used directly for recording ?
Great video. I'm gonna get one of these for my gig bag, just incase someones amp goes down mid gig.
Hi, great video. I would like to connect a condenser mic that is connect to a Boss VE20 that I used with my alto sax and then try to connect my iPad to play along with my sax, but the issue is that is connected to one input of the mixer. I try to use a XLR splitter but the condenser mic did not function well and the volume was very low. Do you have any suggestion to connect both signals into one mixer input?
Can I use that DI using Bass guitar with efx and electric guitar with efx?
does this reduce the hum coming from the guitar? by using the ground switch?
Kennis Russell rolls buzz off? what's that??? can u send Me a link of what I can buy
Its noisy with hiss being the problem. Ive been told they use cheap op amps in them
Does it his or not Hillsong?
Love the videos man. You're the reason I play a Godin XTSA and GR-55 at my church. A few years ago I tried a DI20 for my GR-55 at church. I don't know if I got a faulty one or not but mine always had a terrible hum no matter what I tried. I finally upgraded to a different dual DI box and cleared it up. Keep makin the videos!
It would be perfect if it had unbalanced thru outputs available in 2-Channel mode.
Link mode seems more useful.
Can I use 48v phantom power
Can you use use this in a signal chain?
Hi there Any idea why I am getting g lot of noise when I use this.
Hi, just doing a bit of research on making these intp a usable item. It would seem the resistor configuration is the main culprit for the noise and not the op-amp. Other circuits us the same chip and are much quieter. I'll probably look at changing resistors as per recommendations on this site; www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/searching-for-high-audio-quality-low-noise-low-power-opamp-for-di-box-upgrade/ I think even if I break the unit, it will render them (Yes, I have two) as unusable as they already are. Through a large PA, it's just embarassing to own up to being the sound guy who put them in the system!
@@pvanb291 Thanks for the reply. I doubt I am the kind of guy who will do the tech tweaking you refer to, so I might just need to buy a better di box, but will check out the link anyway. Either way, it’s reassuring to know that the issue is not isolated to my device. Thanks.
Hi. I'm thinking of buying this equipment for live performances. It would be to connect a bass and your pedals to the table through the direct box. Will the sound be quality? Would you indicate the purchase?
How do you think this box would fare with a mainstage rig running through an audio interface?
How do you know when the battery is flat? what does the LED do? I can’t believe it’s not in the manual?
I imagine the light quits blinking when the power is gone
Does this work with active bass guitars?
but , is not the better way to use it ..you need a passive di box for an active bass guitar..
Thx that would go for electric acoustic w/preamp & eq?
same question, got one of these, does it work for acoustic guitars ? I think u usualy need a passive one ?
I noticed under channel 2 it says channel 2 input. Under that it says channel one output. He didn't cover that. Anyone know?
The "channel 1 output" is only if you set the second switch to "Link" mode. Then the second jack input works as a mirror output of channel 1 and the second XLR output also mirrors channel 1. If you set the second switch to ""2-Channel" then it just work as a stereo DI (or as if you had two separate mono DIs), so you have two separate jack inputs which output to two separate XLR outputs.
I have several active DI boxes, and the Behringer ULTRA-DI DI20 is the worst one. Too noise, to much hiss, even using batteries (easily audible in a simple DI comparison). So it results in a very very poor signal / noise ratio. When testing with RightMark Audio, this DI box displays the worst statistics comparing to other DI boxes, not only S/N ratio; %THD distortion is too high, high crossover, and frequency response too far from a flat one. Don't buy this one, you can buy two cheaper active DI boxes, but displaying higher quality (Example: I bought two Nady ADI-1 for stereo, spending less than a single Behringer DI20, and far better than this one ... I guess is not too difficult to beat this active DI box, even for cheaper boxes).
way too much noise, my signal was cleaner going direct to my interface . it did rid of some feedback but the background noise is TOO much
Hi Kennis, I am busy building a travel case/Pedal Board for my Live looping gear and looking at installing 4 of these babies into the box (I will be running my various instruments into 4 Boss AB-2 Foot Switches so that I can select to send each individual instrument to either a clean dry channel or to the loop station), I dont have any Di-20 boxes at my disposal atm and really need the exact dimensions (in mm) to be sure I build the box correctly. I have looked at the owners manual but the measurements they give are definitely WAY OFF, The manual gives the following dimensions in mm; 150 x 130 x 60mm.. There is no way these tiny boxes are 150mm deep or 130mm wide, I can see them being 60mm high but the other 2 measurements are way too much. Would I be a pain if I asked if you could perhaps measure one of these in mm and comment here? Please brutha.. ;)
Can i use this in dj controller..?
I wish Behringer would make a re-amp box for $30. Passive reamps are $100 minimum, and of you want TRS inputs its $200. Ad an FX loop, $250.
I’d buy one. Its not something I need all the time but still need it ya know?
Hey! Great video! Is this DI box good for recording heavy metal style guitars? I have passive pickups and a M audio M track II external sound card and I will use amp&cab simulators. Please answer! Thank you!
I have the same situation as yours. I have a Scarlett Solo and I heard mixed to negative comments/reviews about the Behringer products (tried some myself too) so I just ordered an ART XDirect DI Box. It will arrive in a couple of days. If you still won't buy any DI boxes till then I'll let you know about my experience with the ART XDirect.
@@LuluBanzai actually I'm waiting for a Behringer ultra di100. I'll let you know too. Thanks
@@AleArzMusic hey again. Di box arrived today and guess what? It didn't do anything much beside adding some clarity to the sound. It also reduced the hum and buzz but not that much i can still hear it. I'm thinking of saving money to buy a Radial J48. I hope behringer works for you mate. Cheers!
@@LuluBanzai hey thanks for letting me know. Is there any specific setting to boost in your Di box? I've just got a Behringer ULTRA DI 100 off of AZ, I'm going to test and review it in ten days hopefully.
@@AleArzMusic you are welcome man and nope no boost. It just has a phase invert button, a filter button, 2x -20db attenuator buttons and a ground/lift button. Fyi my seymour duncan sh4 equipped guitar has more hum/buzz compared to my sh5 equipped guitar. Maybe it is because of sh4 being alnico and sh5 ceramic i dunno. The reviews on the internet says radial di boxes eliminates the buzzing completely btw. Well that's all from me XD
How long does the battery hold?
Why don't you use phantom power? It seems like it would be a bit less of a hassle.
@@kennisrussell it is my understanding that the DI20 can be powered with phantom power instead of using a 9V battery. Since you are using it with a console that is capable of providing phantom power, it seems like it would be much less of a hassle to use the phantom power instead of working with batteries.
Nice Review 👍
can this be used with a mic
so a 3.5mm mic ?
Keyboard guy needs 2 mono pin to make stereo , can i used this di
Yep
Its duAl duEl is a fight👍
Bought this based on your review. Readers Digest Version JUNK! Just got one $24.95 shipped Musicians Friend. My experience with it is it has lived up to Behringers reputation of hit and miss in quality. This is a big miss, it is cheap made and hissy and you get exactly what you pay for cheap. Just my experience here cheap cheap cheap cheap low quality don't buy one. Spend a little more and get a quality DI.
i got this to run a guitar direct to desk. the output is about 1/3 of what i get running a jack straight to the desk. pretty useless!
No mono jack out?... Is no good for mi...
Yes it has one mono jack out if you use the link switch.
Unfortunately a good example of what a DI should not sound like.
Very noisy id you have a very low gain instrument
i have bought 1 of these. FOrget it, is shit, full of "issssss"
You have a dodgy chip like mine
No demo? WTF? Unsubscribed!
***** I've never used a DI box that didn't destroy my tone. I have had zero luck with DI boxes. Every time a sound guy want's me to use a DI box it's a disaster. That's because a DI box has a very difficult function, and that should be to somehow magically convert the direct input signal into sounding like a mic'ed amp cabinet signal. If it doesn't do that....then why use one? Why not just plug our guitar straight into the mixer?
If I sound emotional, it's because I used to play for this stupid church who every week would bug me to use the DI box because they were certain electric guitar players were uncontrollable volume maniacs. So each week I had to plug into one of their DI boxes to prove the sound was going to be horrible. They kept suspecting I was doing something to make it sound bad so I wouldn't have to use the DI box and could then blast their church to satisfy my sinful lust..
Sorry, but every DI box I used sounded like I was plugging straight into the mixer, and that's a really bad sound, and I suspect this DI box would do the same thing, and so why make me watch a video about a device that hasn't been shown to sound good? It's probably because it sucks, and so you are no better than a used car salesman trying to sell a car with banana peels stuffed into the transmission. Yes, it's been done. My sister's father in law owned a used car lot and they actually did that.
I understand that your entitled to your own opinion and all, but i'm not sure you know what a DI box actually does.
Please don't criticize something when you don't know the proper function of it. I can see why you thought it was meant to emulate a guitar cabinet, its a box most people use to plug instruments (especially guitars) into, as is an effect pedal that emulates an amp cabinet.
All i'm saying is please read up on these things so you know what they are actually meant to do, before knocking it for something you just assume it does, but actually was never made to do.
If you used it in the signal chain after an amp modeler then i'm sure you would have a different opinion.
Just so you know for future reference, a DI box turns an unbalanced signal into a balanced signal. However hard you try, your guitar will NEVER keep an 'even' volume, this is a problem for the sound engineer. What a DI box does, is effectively 'smooth out' the signal, which doesn't effect your sound in any way, but makes the sound guys job a LOT easier. Your guitar should sound the same if you plugged directly into the board.
Sorry to rant but it sort of annoys me. I'm not having a go at you, because I understand that if you think that's what it does, then how would you know that you're wrong? I just wanted to explain the difference between what you said and what it actually does. Hope this helps :)
Ben Walker Well, after reading your long appeal, I still have no idea why a rock guitarist would ever need a direct box. Oh yes, the sound guys want me to bring one, but what for? You say it will smooth out my signal, but I don't know what you are talking about. My signal is fine, and where would the DI box even go? I plug my guitar into my amp, and then a mic goes from in front of my amp to the snake or mixing board. Where does the DI box go?
I read somewhere that the DI box goes between the amp and speaker!
You know, I was an aerospace technician for 21 years troubleshooting fight control systems for commercial and military jets and yet this DI box has me baffled. If one more sound guy tells me to leave my amp at home and instead bring a DI box there's going to be trouble.
Sorry, I wasn't really very clear about the amp.
If you have an amp, and it's got a mic on it, then you don't need a DI box, you would use it if there is no amp on stage instead if plugging directly into the board. Which might sometimes be difficult if you only have a snake with XLR's
Ben Walker But plugging in an electric guitar into a DI box always sounds terrible. So even if I had no mic or even an amp, the DI is not really feasible. I would just go home. LOL