[Deren]

Just curious. The usual setup for a D/I box is to use the 1/4" input to a XRL output....could you use it in reverse...for exampe using the XRL and connecting it to a 1/4"?
The relivaence of the question is if I wante to use my mic through a guitar or bass amp....could I not plug the XRL into the D/I box then plug the 1/4" into my amp or does this not work?
Should it be done or does it harm anything?
Thanks!
-Deren

[Jeff Dee]

Originally Posted by Deren

Just curious. The usual setup for a D/I box is to use the 1/4" input to a XRL output....could you use it in reverse...for exampe using the XRL and connecting it to a 1/4"?
The relivaence of the question is if I wante to use my mic through a guitar or bass amp....could I not plug the XRL into the D/I box then plug the 1/4" into my amp or does this not work?
Should it be done or does it harm anything?
Thanks!
-Deren

Not sure if I totally understand your question but I can maybe help you out with the signal flow of most DI boxes (and the purpose).

GUITAR in (high imp, unbalanced signal) ----> DI box ----> XLR out to mixer board (low imp, balanced signal) **AND** a 1/4" out to stage amp (high imp, unbalanced guitar signal)

1 input (guitar) ---> 2 outputs (1-XLR to mixer, 1-1/4" to amp)

The reason you need a DI (direct inject) box is to "convert" the guitar signal to a low imp, balanced signal before it goes to the mixing board (this signal is now essentially the same as a microphone signal). I suggest using a mic for your guitar amp afterall, the mixing board will be getting the same signal fromt he mic as if you were using a DI box. Spare the the DI box for a bass cabinet.

[nate95366]

In short, no - it will not work. The transformer (an electrical component) in the DI Box is not designed well for two-way functioning because of the impedance conversion issue. If you were an electronics guru, you could get around this with a few modifications...but then you probably wouldn't be asking anyway, so best to leave it alone.

Nate

[Deren]

Okay, Thanks for the reply, I'm gonna leave this one alone for now.
-Deren