DI-6
SM
Owner's Manual v 1.1 CE ©2006 ARX®
DI-6
SM
Owner's Manual v 1.1 CE ©2006 ARX®
6
3
Introduction
Thank you for choosing this ARX DI-6s. We hope you enjoy using this
unique product as much as we enjoyed creating it. As with all ARX equip-
ment, it has undergone extensive factory testing and ‘burn in’ before ship-
ping. To ensure continued trouble free use, please familiarise yourself with
the contents of this manual before using.
About the DI-6s
It’s a fact of audio life that a lot of equipment that has to be connected to
professional audio systems isn’t impedance or level compatible.
Most consumer oriented audio products have unbalanced outputs, whereas
Balanced Low Impedance (Low Z) is the norm in pro audio. CDs/DVDs/
Tape/cassette decks, Video audio, drum machines, synthesizers, guitars,
computers; at some stage all these need linking up to balanced inputs,
whether the application is Live sound, Studio or Broadcast.
Recognising this fact, ARX have developed the DI-6s - Six active D.I. (Direct
Injection) units, plus a 6 into 1 Line Mixer, plus a 1 into 6 Mic or Line Split-
ter, and all in a compact one rack unit package!
This unique and flexible audio problem solver allows Six independent unbal-
anced audio sources (keyboards, instruments, tape decks etc.) to easily and
quietly interface with balanced pro audio systems; to individual channels or
summed down to one Master output, or will split a single incoming Mic or
Line signal to 6 Outputs.
Despite the compact size of the DI-6s, it’s not short of features. Each
channel has 2 phone jack IN/OUT sockets, level control from infinity (off)
through 0 dB to + 15 dB gain, plus a clipping indicator LED. The Master
section has a Master volume control and status LEDs indicating whether the
unit is in DI or Splitter mode. In addition, as on all ARX single rack unit
equipment, there is a numbered marker panel you can write on for easy
confirmation of channel assigns.
On the rear, each channel has an XLR Balanced Output, Ground lift switch
and indicator LED. The Master section has both balanced XLR and Jack
outputs. In addition there is an XLR Balanced Input and switch to put the
unit in either DI or Splitter mode.
can be sent to the main console and the musician can balance the mix to their own
taste.
A further advantage of the DI-6s for multi keyboard use is that the whole stage
setup can be used unchanged at rehearsal or in the studio.
The Splitter function available on the DI-6s enables a single Microphone or Line
Input signal to be split to up to 6 Outputs. The level of each Output is controlled
individually by the front panel Gain controls, with the Master Level control acting as
an overall level setter.
To get into Splitter mode on the DI-6s, first turn down all level controls on the front
panel, then select Splitter on the rear panel switch, then Mic or Line, and plug a lead
into the Balanced XLR Splitter Input on the rear panel. An LED will light up on the
front panel to indicate Splitter mode. The tick mark on the Input Gain control
indicates a typical microphone gain setting. Bring up the Master level control first,
then each individual level control until you have the levels you require. If the Signal
needs to continue on to another piece of equipment, connect a lead from The Loop
Output XLR connector adjacent to the Splitter Input.
Phantom power for condenser microphones is available by pressing the Phantom
Power switch on the rear. TURN DOWN THE MASTER MIX LEVEL CONTROL BEFORE
SWITCHING PHANTOM POWER IN
The DI-6s is also ideal as a -10 dB to +4 dB level matcher for consumer audio
products, home studio equipment, and Video Audio in discos and clubs.
In Radio and TV broadcast work the DI-6s is a must in any remote truck, OB van or
mixing suite, being easily and quietly able to deliver the +8 dB or greater line levels
that are common to the industry. It will do this in Direct Injection mode, Line mixer
mode or Splitter mode.
In short, the ARX DI-6s is a truly unique audio problem solver for all facets of the
audio industry, from Broadcast and Studio work through to Discos, Clubs and
Concert sound.
Being AC mains powered the DI-6s has no batteries to go flat, nor does it require
Phantom Power. However, many mixing consoles have Phantom Power available to
all channels or none, or to blocks of channels. If this is the case, then the DI-6s will
quite happily accept Phantom Power.
Special Note
Just two things the DI-6s won’t do (apart from make the coffee):
Apart from the Input to the Splitter function, the DI6s is a Line Mixer, so it won’t
accept Microphone level signals into the front unbalanced inputs, and it won’t accept
speaker lines, so don’t plug the output of an amplifier into it.
