Description

PZ-DI by Radial Engineering is a high-performance active Direct Box, Variable Load with piezoelectric input. Designed for connecting acoustic and orchestral instruments, with variable input impedance optimized for magnetic pickups or piezoelectric transducers and an adjustable Low-Cut filter.

Key Features

    
• Optimized for orchestral instruments on live stage
    
• Variable Load for piezoelectric and magnetic pickups
    
• Low-cut filter to control low-frequency resonances
    
• Powered by 48V phantom, no batteries required

Optimizes the connection of instruments with piezoelectric pickups

PZ-DI has a variable load selector that allows you to set the input impedance of the direct box, to optimize performance with instrument pickups. The 1 megaohm position offers the classic impedance found on most active DI Boxes, while the 220k ohm setting warms the tone of magnetic pickups by providing a feel and timbre similar to direct connection to an amplifier. The third setting is an ultra-high impedance of 10 megaohms specifically designed for piezoelectric transducers, which helps compensate for the harsh or shrill tone that can occur when a piezo is connected to a lower impedance input.

Variable filter to adapt to any instrument

PZ-DI features a variable low-cut filter that gently attenuates low frequencies, to remove unwanted stage resonances and prevent feedback. The filter's attenuation point can be adjusted to match the frequency response of the connected instrument, with a lower point for acoustic basses and a higher setting for violin or banjo. A switchable high-cut filter is also included, useful on instruments such as acoustic guitars with battery-powered preamps, which softens high frequencies for a smoother timbre.

Practical applications of PZ-DI

Using PZ-DI with a Piezo instrument

Piezoelectric pickups can sound harsh and unnatural. PZ-DI solves this problem with a 10 megaohm input impedance that extends the frequency response and attenuates peaks. The Low-Cut filter can be adjusted to reduce unwanted resonances.

Using PZ-DI with an active acoustic guitar

The convenience of a built-in pickup and a battery-powered preamp simplifies connection and playback. But with sub-optimal electronics, these instruments can sound thin and unnatural. The PZ-DI's low-pass filter helps by gently attenuating high frequencies, while the low-pass filter can eliminate resonances.

Using PZ-DI with a magnetic pickup instrument

The PZ-DI optimizes the bass tone by setting the load to 220k-ohm. This allows for a warmer and more natural tone, very useful in recording or preparing a Reamp. When touring with vintage instruments with low output, the impedance can be adjusted to 1 megaohm to reduce the load.

PZ-DI Technical Specifications            

    
• Circuit type:     proprietary analog with low-noise FET op-amp
    
• Frequency response:   20Hz ~ 20kHz
    
• Dynamic range:               105dB
    
• Gain:                 +4.6dB
    
• Total harmonic distortion:          0.02%
    
• Input impedance:  10M/1M/220K-Ohms
    
• Output impedance:           200 Ohms - nominal
    
• Equivalent input noise: -98dBu

Features

    
• Attenuation pad
    
• Input connectors:   1/4" hi-Z input
    
• Output connectors:           XLR male output

General Specifications

    
• Construction:     metal cabinet
    
• Weight:     0.54kg 1.2lb ()
    
• Dimensions (L x W x D): 127 x 84 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.3" x 2")
    
• Power: 48V phantom - proprietary digital switching
    
• Operating conditions:               dry locations only between 5°C and 40°C