Optimize Your Orchestral Instruments Live

The PZ-DI Orchestral Instrument DI from Radial Engineering is a unique direct box designed specifically for acoustic and orchestral instruments. This allows you to properly match the input impedance to the source to optimize frequency response, dynamics and feel so you can enjoy smoother, musically pleasing results no matter which tap you use.

The design starts with a 3-position load control switch. The 1MΩ position provides the classic impedance found in most active DI boxes. The 220kΩ setting warms up the sound of the magnetic pickup and gives you the feel and tone of being plugged into a tube amp. An ultra-high impedance of 10 MΩ is used to compensate for the harsh, cracking sound that typically plagues piezo instruments. This is followed by a fully variable high-pass filter that allows you to change the size of the instrument by gently rolling off the bass frequencies to remove unwanted resonance. For example, you can keep the low frequencies of the cello or increase the cutoff value to better suit the violin. On active instruments like acoustic guitars with battery preamps, you can use a low-pass filter to soften some of the harsh edge for a smoother, more natural sound.

To maximize signal processing and reduce distortion, this unit features an innovative DC-DC switching source that converts phantom power to provide additional headroom. This gives a lot of dynamic range for acoustic instruments. If you find a particularly loud source, such as an active bass or a digital keyboard, simply activate the -15 dB pad to accommodate the situation. It also includes a 180° polarity switch to tame stage hot spots that can cause feedback, and a ground switch to help eliminate buzz and hum caused by ground loops.

It instantly adapts to any type of microphone, so you can enjoy the full-frequency response and dynamics of an orchestral string instrument, soften the highs of a bluegrass fiddle, banjo or mandolin, split a bass guitar without overwhelming it, or amplify an acoustic. guitar without the usual pitch shift effects, of course.

Radial PZ-DI Features

• Optimized for orchestral instruments on a live stage
• Adjustable load for piezo and magnetic pickups
• Variable low-cut filter to control low frequency resonance
• Powered by 48V phantom, no batteries required