dbx db12 Active Direct Box

The db12 is an active direct box, running its low-noise circuitry on 48V phantom power from the console rather than a transformer, with a green LED that confirms phantom is present. A single instrument, line, or speaker-level source comes in on a 1/4 inch jack and leaves on a gold-plated Neutrik XLR, with a parallel thru jack so a backline amp keeps running unaffected.

A 3-way 0/20/40 dB pad switch handles everything from a passive pickup to a hot power-amp output, and ground lift, polarity invert, and a flat/high-cut filter switch are all on the front panel for dealing with hum, phase, and boomy sources on the spot. The box measures 5.82 x 5.44 x 2.2 inches and weighs 1.4 lbs.