Direct Box (instant music recording instrument for Musicians)


Posted on May 4, 2017

The sound is taken from a musical instrument in two different ways. Through a microphone that is placed in place by the instrument amplifier or via a direct connection between the instrument and the mixing console via a direct-box device. The benefits of direct-box versus microphone is that each microphone added to the scene is an additional source of Larsen phenomenon (microphone) phenomenon between microphones and scene back speakers. The direct signal recording device is less bulky than a microphone that is mounted on a base and allows the connection of classical instruments (guitar) and electronic instruments (electronic piano). Signal recording devices are available in two types. Active and passive. Passive is nothing but a symmetrical line through a transformer, while the active devices, which are the subject of this article, are a symmetrical integrated circuit preamplifier. The advantage of the passive model is that no power is needed, while the disadvantage is that the embedded transformer limits the bandwidth. The audio consoles offer a microphone input called `Phantom` and are intended to power the electrostatic microphones. The XLR Microphone Connector offers some mA at 48V, a value that is enough to power a power amplifier, which is also the only active component of the construction. The cradle will be fed either through the `hidden` power supply or via a battery. Only a 9V battery for good operation is sufficient, but two batteries in series (18V) allow for a much better signal output signal.


Direct Box (instant music recording instrument for Musicians)
Click here to download the full size of the above Circuit.
Direct Box (instant music recording instrument for Musicians) - image 1
Click here to download the full size of the above Image.
Direct Box (instant music recording instrument for Musicians) - image 2
Click here to download the full size of the above Image.
Direct Box (instant music recording instrument for Musicians) - image 3
Click here to download the full size of the above Image.

Entrance Stage

At the input of the device, there are two parallel Jack connectors, J1 and j2. The first one will serve to connect the source (guitar, etc), and the second will allow for the possible connection of the amplifier. A 3-position attenuator allows the connection of different sources. In position 1 the gain is 0dB, in position 2 the gain is 15dB (R10 / R15) to connect electric pianos or synthesizers or line levels, while in position 3 the attenuation is 45dB (R10 / R15 and R16) for Connect the speaker outputs of the amplifiers.

R10 and R16 values ​​can be revised if the levels do not match your own application. We recommend not to reduce the resistance value of R15 (47kΩ), which would result in a reduction in the input resistance of the device, which should be as large as possible to avoid disturbing the parallel connection of the amplifier.

The SW2 switch allows you to isolate the ground of the Jack connectors from the grounding of the mixing console to avoid a possible ground loop undesirable in the sound because it produces the very undesirable 50Hz buzz.

 

Amplifier and symmetry

Step IC1 is a differential amplifier with unit amplification. The selected integrated circuit (TL072) is a low-noise dual-power amplifier with high input resistance, low deformation rate and a reasonable cost.

The Vcc/2 polarization required for operation is generated by the R1/R2 voltage divider, which directly polarizes the IC1b stage, while polarization of IC1α is provided by the R9 resistor. Capacitors C1 and C2 ensure filtering and avoid disagreement between the stages. IC1b has been connected as a unit gain voltage inverter.


Exit Stage

At the output, terminals 7 and 1 have two opposite phase signals and the same amplitude since it is a symmetric output stage. C7 and C8 capacitors (50V) allow the separation of the continuous component ("hidden" power supply) that is displayed on the XLR connector terminals 2 and 3 of the mixing console.

The resistors R13 and R14 allow this 48V supply to be recovered if the SW1 switch is in the 48V supply, filtered by capacitors C5 and C6. An electrolytic capacitor hardly disconnects the high frequencies and this function is left at C5.

Install the small parts first. If you can select low noise (metal coating) resistors for amplification and attenuation steps (R3 to R5, R10, R15 and R16), this advice applies to any audio circuit.

You do not need to make any adjustments, since the circuit must work from the start.


Components


R1,R2: 1ΜΩ
R3-R8: 100kΩ
R9: 10ΜΩ
R10: 150kΩ 1%
R11,R12: 100Ω
R13,R14: 2,2kΩ
R15: 47kΩ
R16: 1kΩ
R17: 10kΩ
C1-C5: 100nf
C6: 50μf/50V
C7,C8: 10μf/50V
C9: 47pf
IC1: TL072
SW1,SW3: ON-OFF-ON
SW2: ON-OFF
LED
J1,J2: Jack 6,35mm
XLR male for mount





Leave Comment

characters left:

Related Circuits

  • New Circuits

    .

     


    Popular Circuits

    Ultra Fast Battery charger circuit Schematic Diagram
    Oscillators and Mixers
    flipflop What happens when theres no specific input variable on a logic diagram using a JK flip flop
    4 step 4017 sequencer
    Arduino ATmega328 Hardcore



    Top