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Rapco Horizon DB-1 Passive Direct Box

4.5 (16) Write Review
Free shipping on orders over $29.99

$49.81

$ 22 .99 $22.99

In Stock
  • Transforms Hi-Z 1/4 inch input to balanced Lo-Z XLR output
  • Heavy duty steel box
  • Superior quality connectors and transformer
  • Recessed connectors and switches to prevent damage
  • Ground lift switch to eliminate hum


The DB-1's simple design offers reliable input jacks as well as a loop-through 1/4 inch jack. Plug any instrument level signal (and some line level) into the box, interface with a standard XLR mic cable into the Lo-Z output, and you're ready to plug the output "directly" into a mixing console. A ground lift switch is provided for buzz-free operation in almost any environment.


Customer
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2022
Works great for my acoustic guitar plugging into the church sound system. Clean sound. I can also plug in a small, powered monitor to the line out.
Customer
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2022
Works great for my acoustic guitar plugging into the church sound system. Clean sound. I can also plug in a small, powered monitor to the line out.
Doug
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2022
we provide sound for several entertainment events thru out the year. These see allot of use and always work with no issues what so ever. A great DI for a great price that give us great results.
Doug
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2022
we provide sound for several entertainment events thru out the year. These see allot of use and always work with no issues what so ever. A great DI for a great price that give us great results.
Mark Ashworth
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2020
I often run an audio reference signal from my mixer to the mic inputs on multiple camcorders so I can synchronize the clips with each other and an external audio recording. The reference audio functions as a time code.When my camcorders use power supplies, connecting an external signal creates hum and noise. A passive direct box (DI) used in reverse reduced the noise much better than a 1:1 isolation transformer. It required an attenuator, conversion cables and setting the camcorder audio level to MANUAL. Details below.The DI has a male XLR connector that's normally an output. I made a female->female cable to use that as in input. I also used an XLR attenuator to reduce the mixer signal by 20-30dB before it hit the DI. The DI has a 1/4 mono jack on the other end. You can purchase a 1/4 mono to 3.5mm stereo adapter or make your own cable that connects the tip and ring of the mini plug to the tip of the 1/4 plug.I switched the audio input level on my cameras from AUTO to MANUAL and turned down the level to the point where the max input signal I expected from the mixer did not overload the camcorder preamps.The transformer inside the DBBLOX rattled around. I solved that by taking off the top of the box (upper screws on each end) and placing a small piece of foam over the transformer to hold it in place. This DI is small and cheap so I ordered one for each camcorder.
Mark Ashworth
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2020
I often run an audio reference signal from my mixer to the mic inputs on multiple camcorders so I can synchronize the clips with each other and an external audio recording. The reference audio functions as a time code.When my camcorders use power supplies, connecting an external signal creates hum and noise. A passive direct box (DI) used in reverse reduced the noise much better than a 1:1 isolation transformer. It required an attenuator, conversion cables and setting the camcorder audio level to MANUAL. Details below.The DI has a male XLR connector that's normally an output. I made a female->female cable to use that as in input. I also used an XLR attenuator to reduce the mixer signal by 20-30dB before it hit the DI. The DI has a 1/4 mono jack on the other end. You can purchase a 1/4 mono to 3.5mm stereo adapter or make your own cable that connects the tip and ring of the mini plug to the tip of the 1/4 plug.I switched the audio input level on my cameras from AUTO to MANUAL and turned down the level to the point where the max input signal I expected from the mixer did not overload the camcorder preamps.The transformer inside the DBBLOX rattled around. I solved that by taking off the top of the box (upper screws on each end) and placing a small piece of foam over the transformer to hold it in place. This DI is small and cheap so I ordered one for each camcorder.
Caleb Page
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2019
Works as it should. Use it 3 days a week doing 4 hours gigs. Travels well, sturdy. Good product
Caleb Page
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2019
Works as it should. Use it 3 days a week doing 4 hours gigs. Travels well, sturdy. Good product
Rick S.
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2018
I have one older wireless mic system with only line level out (1/4") and a system needing a low mic level input. Just be sure to order the correct configuration as it is input/output configured (directional). Does a perfect job without taking up a lot of space or adding much weight. I saw a sister product, the laptop DI with level control and was intrigued, so I looked further found this. A great find. Will be buying more in the near future.
Rick S.
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2018
I have one older wireless mic system with only line level out (1/4") and a system needing a low mic level input. Just be sure to order the correct configuration as it is input/output configured (directional). Does a perfect job without taking up a lot of space or adding much weight. I saw a sister product, the laptop DI with level control and was intrigued, so I looked further found this. A great find. Will be buying more in the near future.
FAAR
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2015
bought this stereo passive DI box through a friend (and excellent sounddman) recommendation. i use it to run my Roland SPD-SX electronic drum / sample pad and it gets the job done. no problems so far and it's construction seems quite solid. no complaints here.
FAAR
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2015
bought this stereo passive DI box through a friend (and excellent sounddman) recommendation. i use it to run my Roland SPD-SX electronic drum / sample pad and it gets the job done. no problems so far and it's construction seems quite solid. no complaints here.
Sam Beckett
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2013
I bought this as the smallest solution I could find to run keyboards into an input block that provided only XLRs. I didn't want to have a stack of Whirlwind Directors (which I was using live, already had, and have been absolute rocks - but are big), I did not want to commit any of my new Radial DIs from my studio to this situation (I just didn't need that robust a feature set live). For this application, a rack DI (either the quad Whirlwind rack or the Radial solution (which I also have in my studio) was inappropriate and would've caused more trouble than the large individuals. I really wanted the smallest DI I could find and had good luck with RAPCO in the past as a utility players. I take care of my gear, so I figured even with modest build quality, I'd be ok. I was wrong.(Regarding features) The live system in which I used the DBBLOX (I bought 4, one for each mono keyboard) is built around consistent balanced stage power, and everything is properly grounded, so I had no issue with the lack of a ground switch. Monitors are handled at the console and I have no amp on stage, so, I didn't need 1/4" thrus.My issue with the DBBLOX is that after 2 years, only 1 out of 4 are "as purchased". 3/4 have needed repair. Two broke in the same spot (the XLR side, when unplugging/plugging a cable, broke and caused a disconnect to the transformer. The other, the innards just became loose requiring attention to prevent further breakage/damage. products with their components rattling around inside are, of course. a concern when you rely on them to get your instrument to the main PA. I have been able to fix them, but, it's still a bad design if 2 out of 4 have required surgery, and 1 was preventatively operated on. Even after repair, I have taken them out of service,As mentioned at the top, I typically buy either proven rock solid live utility pieces or high end studio pieces, so this experiment was, I suppose, a failure, All DBBLOX have all been replaced by the Whirlwind DI's I already had. Even though their size still makes things cumbersome, I am confident that they will work on each gig.
Sam Beckett
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2013
I bought this as the smallest solution I could find to run keyboards into an input block that provided only XLRs. I didn't want to have a stack of Whirlwind Directors (which I was using live, already had, and have been absolute rocks - but are big), I did not want to commit any of my new Radial DIs from my studio to this situation (I just didn't need that robust a feature set live). For this application, a rack DI (either the quad Whirlwind rack or the Radial solution (which I also have in my studio) was inappropriate and would've caused more trouble than the large individuals. I really wanted the smallest DI I could find and had good luck with RAPCO in the past as a utility players. I take care of my gear, so I figured even with modest build quality, I'd be ok. I was wrong.(Regarding features) The live system in which I used the DBBLOX (I bought 4, one for each mono keyboard) is built around consistent balanced stage power, and everything is properly grounded, so I had no issue with the lack of a ground switch. Monitors are handled at the console and I have no amp on stage, so, I didn't need 1/4" thrus.My issue with the DBBLOX is that after 2 years, only 1 out of 4 are "as purchased". 3/4 have needed repair. Two broke in the same spot (the XLR side, when unplugging/plugging a cable, broke and caused a disconnect to the transformer. The other, the innards just became loose requiring attention to prevent further breakage/damage. products with their components rattling around inside are, of course. a concern when you rely on them to get your instrument to the main PA. I have been able to fix them, but, it's still a bad design if 2 out of 4 have required surgery, and 1 was preventatively operated on. Even after repair, I have taken them out of service,As mentioned at the top, I typically buy either proven rock solid live utility pieces or high end studio pieces, so this experiment was, I suppose, a failure, All DBBLOX have all been replaced by the Whirlwind DI's I already had. Even though their size still makes things cumbersome, I am confident that they will work on each gig.
Andrew Justis
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2013
I use these boxes to fix the mismatch between my computer and the soundboard. Two I use for radio broadcasting and 1 I use for recording. With the ability to switch from stereo to mono, that helped with the recording side. I am very happy with the output, no noise/static on any of my inputs or outputs for broadcasting or recording. Would highly recommend these for your stereo recording or broadcasting needs when interfacing between a computer and a mixer.
Andrew Justis
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2013
I use these boxes to fix the mismatch between my computer and the soundboard. Two I use for radio broadcasting and 1 I use for recording. With the ability to switch from stereo to mono, that helped with the recording side. I am very happy with the output, no noise/static on any of my inputs or outputs for broadcasting or recording. Would highly recommend these for your stereo recording or broadcasting needs when interfacing between a computer and a mixer.