ART ZDirect

Product overview

The ART ZDirect is a passive direct box for connecting unbalanced instrument, line or speaker signals to balanced inputs.

The input signal is sent to a transformer isolated XLR output and a parallel Thru jack, so it can be connected to an amplifier on stage at the same time. Simple and durable, the ZDirect is a compact DI in a rugged aluminium enclosure with a versatile feature set: front panel switches engage up to 40 dB of attenuation and a low-pass Bessel filter, and rear switches activate a ground lift against hum and invert the signal polarity to resolve phase issues, such as those that can occur when DI and microphone sources are combined. Passive DIs are often a great match for powered sources such as synthesisers or guitars and basses with active preamps, and need no external power source.

Key features

• 1/4 inch TRS input and Thru connector
• Balanced XLR output, transformer isolated, 600 Ω
• Switchable attenuation (0 dB, -20 dB, -40 dB)
• Switchable low-pass filter, ground lift and phase invert
• Passive design: no power required

Transformer design

The high impedance single-ended 1/4 inch input is converted by a high performance audio isolation transformer into an isolated, balanced, low impedance signal. With an extremely flat, wide frequency response and the ability to handle high signal levels, ART describes the ZDirect's sound as very clean and neutral with a wide variety of sources and over long signal runs in high noise environments.

Filter, phase and ground lift

The switchable low-pass Bessel filter (-3 dB at 30 kHz) sits on the output, outside the audio range, and is primarily intended to reduce radio frequency interference; it is also very effective against digital computer noise between a computer-based audio workstation and monitors. The Phase Invert switch changes polarity right at the source, and the Ground Lift switch fully isolates the inputs from the chassis and output to reduce hum and ground-loop noise.

Applications

ART names live sound, permanent / fixed installations, DJ use and virtually any PA application.

In the box

• ZDirect passive direct box

ART ZDirect: frequently asked questions

Does the ZDirect need batteries or phantom power?

No. It is a fully passive transformer design.

Which sources suit a passive DI?

ART names powered sources such as synthesisers, or guitars and basses with active preamps.

What does the filter do?

It is a low-pass Bessel filter (-3 dB at 30 kHz) above the audio range that reduces radio frequency interference and digital computer noise.

Where can I buy the ART ZDirect in India?

The ART ZDirect is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Keyboard or synthesiser into the PA

Keyboard players and bands.

Connections

Setup

1. Set the attenuator for line level.
2. Use Lift if hum is heard.

Tip: Passive DIs suit powered sources such as synthesisers.

Workflow 2: Active bass to amplifier and PA

Bass players with active pickups.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the Thru jack to the amplifier.
2. Send the XLR output to the stage box.

Tip: No battery or phantom power is needed.

Workflow 3: Combining DI and microphone

Engineers blending a DI with a miked amplifier.

Connections

Setup

1. Compare DI and microphone in the mix.
2. Switch Phase to Invert if the blend sounds thin.

Tip: Polarity is changed right at the source.

Workflow 4: Amplifier output to the mix

Engineers taking a feed from an amplifier's speaker output.

Connections

Setup

1. Engage both attenuator switches for -40 dB.
2. Raise the console gain as needed.

Tip: The ZDirect accepts instrument, line or speaker signals.

Workflow 5: Computer audio to monitors

Studios connecting a computer-based audio workstation to monitors.

Connections

Setup

1. Switch the Filter on.
2. Use Lift against ground-loop noise.

Tip: ART notes the filter is very effective against digital computer noise.

Workflow 6: Fixed installation feed

Installations with unbalanced playback equipment and long cable runs.

Connections

Setup

1. Set the attenuator for the source level.
2. Run a balanced XLR cable to the system.

Tip: ART names permanent / fixed installations among the ZDirect's uses.