MDB-1A Active Direct Box DI Box

The Mackie MDB-1A active direct box gives high-output instruments the extra headroom they need to sound clean at the source. Active circuitry powered by 48V phantom power reduces noise and distortion, while a high-impedance quarter inch input with a thru output lets a signal pass to an amp while still being sent to the mixer balanced through the XLR output. Low cut and polarity switches clean up rumble and phase issues on the fly, and a merge switch sums stereo sources to mono when only a single balanced output is needed. A -20dB pad keeps high-level sources distortion-free instead of clipping the input. Inside, a thick steel chassis and impact-resistant corners are built to survive years in a gig bag, matching the reliability expected from studio and stage gear that gets used night after night. With a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response, 90dB signal-to-noise ratio, and 130dB dynamic range, the MDB-1A keeps a hot signal sounding clean at the source in the studio or running front-of-house at a live show.