The Manley TUBE DIRECT INTERFACE models feature exceptionally clean and quiet tube circuits which will warm up any electric guitar, bass, violin, and especially those sterile sounding synths. Unique with the Manley Tube DI\'s is the added 5-position high pass shelf EQ, there to fight unwanted resonances. As splitter devices, the transformer-coupled balanced XLR output can be sent directly to a mic level input, such as through your console channel, while the 1/4\" output drives the guitar amplifier cabinet which can be miked and mixed with the direct feed. Low impedance outputs, Ground lift and Console Out Boost switches make these units both versatile and compatible. Keep your Manley DI close at hand to get that noisy high impedance guitar cable into quiet lo-Z territory fast!

We offer both Mono Single Channel and Stereo 2-channel versions.

Features & Specifications

Vacuum Tube: 5751

Gain: -6dB or -26dB

Input Z: 10 megOhm to 1 megOhm

Output Z: 150 Ohm xfmr

Frequency response: 12 Hz - 15KHz (-3dB)

EQ: LF rolloff -3dB points: 12, 42, 100, 250Hz

Transformer-Coupled Balanced XLR Output

Console Out Boost Switch

Ground Lift Switch

Factory set for 100V, 120V or 220-240VAC operation for original destination country\'s mains voltage.

Operating Mains Voltage changeable with power transformer re-wiring and fuse value change.

Mains Voltage Frequency: 50~ 60Hz

Mains power consumption Mono Tube DI:

0.050 Amps (50 milliamps = 50mA) @ 120V = 6 Watts

0.025 Amps (25 milliamps = 25mA) @ 240V = 6 Watts

Mains power consumption Stereo Tube DI:

0.0750 Amps (75 milliamps = 75mA) @ 120V = 9 Watts

0.0375 Amps (37.5 milliamps = 37.5mA) @ 240V = 9 Watts

Dimensions:

Mono Tube DI: 1.75\" x 13.5\" x 4\"

Stereo Tube DI: 1.75\" x 19\" x 10\" (Occupies 1U)

Unit Weight:

Mono Tube DI: 3 lbs.

Stereo Tube DI: 6 lbs.

Manufacturer\'s Suggested Retail Price

Tube Direct Interface With EQ: $900

Stereo Tube Direct Interface With EQ: $1500

Question\'s and Answers

Here\'s a cool question picked off an email:

I have a VoxBox® which I use as my main input into my PT system, recording not only vocals through it but most anything else too. To achieve a stronger level from guitars you suggest running it through an effects pedal before the VoxBox®. Would running it through a Di first be better? And if so, would you recommend active or passive or indeed your Dual Mono Di?

And Hutch\'s reply:

My comments were meant to address the low-ish gain of the VoxBox Direct Input and the possibility that some axes are quieter than average. In those situations, one might need to boost the gain before it hits the VoxBox. Many stomp boxes have gain or volume controls with more than enough range to provide some seriously impressive levels.

Now a direct box is a completely different animal from a stomp box. The DI\'s basic function is to turn an instrument signal into a mic level signal (or a balanced line level signal). In the case of the former. A DI generally reduces the voltage (-20dB) to be appropriate for a mic pre, which means you would plug the DI into the Mic Input, and my comment wouldn\'t be relevant because it was pointed at the Instrument Input. Might also be weird to go thru adapters to drive a stomp box with a signal now dropped 20dB to raise it back +20 to +40 dB again.

However, one could use most direct boxes to drive the mic input and have plenty of gain in most cases. One wouldn\'t put a stomp box after a DI, but if you like there is nothing to stop you putting it before the DI. In fact one could \"insert\" the stomp box between the VoxBox Mic Pre and EQ sections though that signal may be a little hot, but workable. (or not)

And then there are some active Direct Boxes that convert an instrument signal to line level, and the appropriate place to patch these is into the VoxBox Line Input.

As to Active or Passive DI\'s - whatever works - whatever sounds right to you! Basically they all sound a bit different, have strengths and weaknesses and a few right ways to use them, plus many wrong ways.

The idea of the VoxBox Instrument Input was to allow most guys to not have to require a Direct Box - just plug the axe into the front panel - bingo. Several top session bass players do just that routinely. This doesn\'t rule out that if you prefer, you can use a direct box that you love and patch it into the Mic or Line Input, whichever is more appropriate for that box.

But the only point of all this is \"Are the levels that YOU are getting hot enough, OK or too hot?\" If they are OK, no problem, if too hot, turn down the gain, if not hot enough, then there are solutions maybe requiring a stomp box or DI. And only YOU can really judge \"better\" and that only requires listening and playing, rather than getting bogged in technicalities, patching and electronics. Have fun, make music.....