ments such as guitars, keyboards and similar sound sources gener- ally have a low level, high im- pedance output, which will not interface with the low impedance balanced input found on professional sound mixing con- soles. Furthermore these signals cannot be driven up long cable lengths without serious loss of level and degradation.
The DI box converts this signal to
a more suitable form without interfering with or modifying the signal at the instrument source, and should provide freedom from ground and power line related Switchable input The audio signal path of the problems. attenuation AR-133 is an enhanced design 0dB for guitar-type based upon the long established Passive DI boxes have limited pickups BSS AR-116, now regarded by applications as they will inevita- -20dB for line level many as a reference unit. bly affect the signal source for signals guitar type applications, and can -40dB for speaker The sound quality, particularly also have an insertion loss of feeds on acoustic guitar and bass around 20dB. guitar pick-ups, is recognised as Matches the level and imped- outstanding. The only safe and predictable ance with unity gain without way to provide direct feeds from loading the source The uses, however, are not instruments or other sources is by limited to guitars or keyboards. using an Active DI box utilising Can drive signals up long cable The AR-133 is suitable for use an input amplifier driving an lengths whenever it is critical to match output transformer. levels and impedances, sources Powered from console need isolation or long cables are phantom power or internal used. The AR-133 fulfills all the battery requirements of an active DI and Automatic switchover to bat- more. tery if phantom power fails
Parallel Link Jack output to feed
amplifiers directly
Parallel XLR input for
converting unbalanced out- puts to balanced lines Input Section AR-133 Active DI Box The provision of both jack and Keyboards - line level feed XLR connectors on the input Suggested Attenuation Setting - further extends the use of the 20dB (line level) or -40dB (amp Input 1M Ohm (pad at 0dB) AR-133 with a multitude of level) Impedance 47k Ohm (pad at -20dB) source devices. 47k Ohm (pad at -40dB)
Max Input +9dBu (pad at 0dB)
Powered from the console or Level +29dBu (pad at -20dB) battery +49dBu (pad at -40dB)
Connectors Two Parallel 1/4" jack
The AR-133 takes its power connectors and a parallel The line level output of the either from the standard micro- XLR connector (unbalanced) keyboard is balanced and Jack: Tip Hot (+ve) phone phantom powering matched by the AR-133. Sleeve Ground available from the desk, or from XLR: Pin 2 Hot (+ve) In multiple keyboard setups Pin1 & 3 Ground an internal 9V battery. When where a mixer-amp is used for phantom is used, the power led Output Section monitors, the AR-133 can be on the AR-133 is lit continu- used to save on DI boxes by ously. If the phantom fails, the taking the output of the amplifier battery immediately takes over, as the interface to the console, with a flashing led showing rather than using separate DIs for battery use. each keyboard. In this case, either a line output or the speaker Earth lift for solving grounding Output Transformer Balanced output can be used, depending problems on the mixer/amp. Max. Output +8dBu into 600 Ohms or Level greater The earth lift switch enables the Speaker feed Connector XLR3-32 or equivalent input signals earth to be sepa- Suggested Attenuation Setting -40dB rated from the output ground, a System Performance quick and easy way to prevent Distortion (THD) < 0.005% at 1kHz, 0dBu ground-loop problems. output Noise <-105dB unweighted, 22Hz-22kHz, rms* Typical Applications Frequency 30Hz to 20kHz, +0dB/-1dB Guitar pick-up feed Response Suggested Attenuation Setting 0dB General
Main/Standby 9 volt PP3 type, battery
preferably alkaline. Taking a feed from the amplifier Current drain :on phantom, less than 7.5mA output allows the post-amplifier, :on battery, less than 2mA. post EQ/effects signal to be fed to Phantom +20 volts DC to +48 volts DC Power the console, meaning that a Weight 650 gms, excluding batteries. particular effect/amp sound can be sent to the mix. Overall 59 mm x 124 mm x 143 mm Dimensions (2.3 x 4.9 x 5.6)
* Noise measured relative to maximum output.
The low level, high In keeping with our policy of continued improvement, BSS impedance signal from the guitar Audio,reserves the right to alter specifications without further pick-up is translated by the AR- notice.This product was designed developed and produced by BSS Audio, Hertfordshire, England. 133 into the high-level, low impedance balanced signal BSS Audio, A Division of Harman International Industries Ltd, Cranborne House, Cranborne Road, Potters Bar, required by the front-of-house Herts EN6 3JN, England console. Tel +44(0)1707 660667 Fax +44(0)1707 660755 email: info@bss.co.uk, online http://www.bss.co.uk BSS Audio USA 1449 Donelson Pike, Nashville TN 37217 Tel (615) 360 0277 Fax (615) 360 0480 email: BSSAudioUSA@harman.com