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GuitarPlayer.com >> This Month >> Direct Boxes
60-Second Buyer’s Guide
Direct Boxes
| February, 2006
Direct guitar tones rule! Whether you’re tracking a spankin’ clean part to drive a groove, or a steely snap to add some sparkle to a roar of distorted guitar layers, a good direct box is your key to a robust and pristine tone. The boxes shown here are by no means the only options—be sure to check the Web for other models that might suit your personal style—but each one suggests the unique ways you can capture unamplified timbres.
Countryman Type 85
One of the originals (you used to see them on every stage and in every studio), and still clean and tough as nails.
$209 retail/$149 street. www.countryman.com
ART Tube MP Project Series
This 12AX7A-loaded mic/instrument preamp lets you add some tube coloration to your direct signal.
$79 retail/$65 street. www.artproaudio.com
Radial SGI Studio Guitar Interface
Not actually a direct box, the SGI lets you run a balanced line up to 500 feet from your mixer to a distant and isolated guitar amp. Rock on! $300 retail/$179 street. www.radialeng.com
BBE DI-1000
This baby works with active and passive instruments, and includes a Sonic Maximizer circuit that clarifies lows and adds sparkle to highs. $299 retail/$249 street. www.bbesound.com
Nady DB-1
Direct-recording bliss at a ridiculously affordable price. $35 retail/$19 street. www.nadywireless.com
Boss DI-1
A studly active box with three input-level switches. $159 retail/$99 street www.bossus.com
Tech 21 SansAmp Para Driver DI
For tweak freaks, the Para can be dialed in clean, or adjusted to sound like your guitar is being miked through a tube preamp. $250 retail/$199 street www.tech21nyc.com
L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic DI
One of the premier boxes for tracking fab acoustic tones. 5-band EQ. $229 retail/$159 street. www.lrbaggs.com
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