JeffTadashi « Stereo DI With All The Connections »
Published on 05/08/12 at 23:36The Rolls DB-24 is a compact, passive stereo direct box, perfect for converting stereo line level audio to balanced, low-impedance XLR outputs. Conveniently, it has three different sets of inputs for different connection types; no cable adapters are necessary with this direct box! Whether your source uses 1/4", 1/8", or RCA connections, you can still directly connect it to the DB24. It can also function with a basic mono signal, such as a guitar, and it has a pad/level control for hotter sources. It has a basic ground/lift switch and a stereo/mono switch.
Overall, the direct box is fairly hefty, and doesn't look or feel cheap. The metal casing is smooth and very aesthetic. It is a great, simply designed piece of hardware that simply works, and that is something I certainly expect from Rolls.
UTILIZATION
Setup with this direct box is fairly simple, as long as you know when your signal is mono, and when it is stereo. On some older Rolls devices, a needle nose plier is needed to move a jumper in order to change certain settings, but that is not the case here. It is simple and quick to use, which is why I bought it in the first place. I could've used two regular direct boxes, and split the 1/8" stereo audio signal from my laptop, but that would've required many cables and parts, and it would be a hassle to set up on stage. This simple box fixes all of that.
SOUND QUALITY
Almost all direct boxes function with complete transparency these days, and the DB24 is no exception. I've had no issues with noise or sound quality with this box.
OVERALL OPINION
Overall, this is a great passive direct box if you have stereo audio sources, such as from a laptop or cd player. It's simple to operate even without ever reading a manual, it's durable, and it just works.
Overall, the direct box is fairly hefty, and doesn't look or feel cheap. The metal casing is smooth and very aesthetic. It is a great, simply designed piece of hardware that simply works, and that is something I certainly expect from Rolls.
UTILIZATION
Setup with this direct box is fairly simple, as long as you know when your signal is mono, and when it is stereo. On some older Rolls devices, a needle nose plier is needed to move a jumper in order to change certain settings, but that is not the case here. It is simple and quick to use, which is why I bought it in the first place. I could've used two regular direct boxes, and split the 1/8" stereo audio signal from my laptop, but that would've required many cables and parts, and it would be a hassle to set up on stage. This simple box fixes all of that.
SOUND QUALITY
Almost all direct boxes function with complete transparency these days, and the DB24 is no exception. I've had no issues with noise or sound quality with this box.
OVERALL OPINION
Overall, this is a great passive direct box if you have stereo audio sources, such as from a laptop or cd player. It's simple to operate even without ever reading a manual, it's durable, and it just works.