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Dual Active Direct Box
USER'S MANUAL
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS - READ FIRST
This symbol, wherever it appears, This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you
alerts you to the presence of uninsulated to important operating and maintenance
dangerous voltages inside the enclosure that instructions in the accompanying literature.
may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock. Please read the manual.
Read instructions
Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed all warnings printed here and on the
equipment. Follow the operating instructions printed in this user guide.
Grounding
Do not defeat the grounding and polarization means of the power cord plug. Do not remove or tamper with the
ground connection on the power cord.
Moisture
To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose the unit to rain, moisture or use in damp or wet
conditions. Do not place container of liquid on it, which may spill into any openings
Heat
Do not locate the unit in a place close to excessive heat or direct sunlight, as this could be a fire hazard.
Locate the unit away from any equipment, which produces heat such as: power supplies, power amplifiers and
heaters.
Environment
Protect from excessive dirt, dust, heat, and vibration when operating and storing. Avoid tobacco ash, drink
spillage and smoke especially that associated with smoke machines.
Handling
Protect the controls from damage during transit. Use adequate padding if you need to ship the unit. To avoid
injury to yourself or damage to the equipment take care when lifting, moving or carrying the unit.
Servicing
Switch off the equipment and unplug the power cord immediately if it is exposed to moisture, spilled liquid or
the power cord or plug becomes damaged during a lightning storm or if smoke odor or noise is noted. Refer
servicing to qualified technical personnel only.
Installation
Install the unit in accordance with the instruction printed in the user guide.
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OVERVIEW
The ART dADB provides two independent high quality active interfaces that let you connect
instrument, line, or speaker level signals to a mixer or other balanced inputs. Each of the high
impedance ¼-inch inputs are buffered and converted by very low noise active electronics into an
isolated, balanced, low impedance signal output. The dADB has an extremely flat and wide frequency
response and can handle high signal levels. This gives the dADB a very clean and neutral sound with
a wide variety of signal sources and over long signal runs in high noise environments.
The input ATTENUATOR switches allow for a wide range of signal levels and the input THRU jacks
allow for tapping off of your signal chain. The GROUND LIFT switches let you totally separate the
input and output signal grounds, when appropriate, to isolate two systems, thereby reducing hum and
ground-loop noise.
What further sets the dADB apart from other “DI” boxes are its extended features and versatility. We
have added switchable low pass FILTERs that cut out all very high frequency interference. These
Bessel filters operate outside of the audio range and are primarily intended to reduce radio frequency
interference before it gets into the main system. The filters are also very effective in reducing any
digital computer noise artifacts when using the dADB as an interface between a computer-based
audio workstation and your monitors. The PHASE INVERT switches allow you to switch signal
polarity right at the source. This feature is especially handy when you are combining a direct tap with
a microphone feed in the mix.
The dADB's active circuitry is powered by phantom voltage coming into the OUTPUT connections or
by an internal 9V battery if external power is not available. When powered by a battery it draws less
than 7.5 mA, which should provide more than 100 hours of operation with a new battery (an alkaline
battery is recommended). If phantom power is available, then the dADB will automatically draw power
from the external source. In this case, if the BATTERY POWER switch is pushed in, a small amount
of power will also be drawn from the battery. So be sure the switch is off if you want to run from just
phantom power. The POWER LEDs light more dimly when the unit is running from the battery, light
more brightly when it is running from phantom power, and are off when the unit is inactive.
The compact black all steel case and it’s active design allow the dADB to provide years of trouble free
service in Live Sound, Permanent/Fixed Install, D.J., and virtually any PA application. It’s full feature
set, rugged construction, and high-end specifications make the dADB the obvious choice.
Features
Fully active design
Phantom voltage or 9V battery powered
Converts high-impedance balanced / unbalanced inputs into 600 Ohm balanced
outputs
Switchable input attenuation (0, -20, -40 dB)
Switchable low pass filter
Switchable phase invert
Switchable ground lift
¼-inch TRS connector inputs and thru connections
XLR connectors for balanced outputs
Rugged steel case
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INSTALLATION and OPERATION
1. Connect your instrument, line, or speaker level signal to either INPUT ¼-inch TRS jack. If
connecting the dADB inline in the signal path, connect one end of a phone plug cable to the
corresponding THRU ¼-inch TRS jack and the other end to where your signal was originally
going. Repeat for the other INPUT and THRU jacks if desired.
2. Connect a balanced line cable between the corresponding OUTPUT male XLR connector on the
rear panel and the balanced inputs of your audio gear. Repeat for the other OUTPUT if desired.
3. If phantom power is not available, make sure a 9V battery is installed* and push the BATTERY
POWER switch in to enable battery power. Both the green and red LEDs will light. When using a
battery for power, be sure to turn the switch off when not using the unit to maximize battery life.
4. If phantom power is available, there is no need to push the BATTERY POWER switch in.
Phantom power coming into an OUTPUT connector is always applied to the circuit, regardless of
the switch setting. The green LED lights brightly when power is coming into the OUTPUT 1
connector and the red LED lights brightly if power is coming into the OUTPUT 2 connector. Both
LEDs light if power is coming into both connectors.
5. Note that battery power is connected to both sections of the dADB, whereas phantom power
coming into an OUTPUT connector powers only that section. Therefore, you may have a situation
where one section is phantom powered and the other is battery powered. In this case, the
BATTERY POWER switch would need to be pushed in and the LED of the phantom powered
section would be brightly lit and the LED of the battery-powered section would be more dimly lit.
6. Set the input ATTENUATOR switches for best signal strength and clarity. If connecting to
speakers, select the -40 dB setting initially and work up, so as not to overdrive the input circuitry.
Select the GROUND LIFT feature to lower hum and other ground loop noise, if present. Turn on
the FILTERs to remove potential radio frequency (RF) or ultrasonic interference. Use the PHASE
INVERT function if necessary.
* The dADB comes with a 9V battery inside the unit. Before initial use, remove the battery following
the access instructions below, remove the outer wrap and reinstall for battery operation.
Application Example
As an example, suppose a guitarist wants to record a practice session. They would plug their electric
guitar into an INPUT jack on the dADB and then plug a cable from the corresponding THRU jack to
their guitar amplifier. Their buffered guitar signal could then be sent to a mixing console or recording
device from the associated OUTPUT of the dADB.
Battery Access
To access the battery, remove the four bottom feet from the unit using a Phillips screwdriver and
separate the two parts of the enclosure. Remove the old battery (if installed) from the cardboard
sleeve and disconnect the battery clip. Connect the battery clip to the new battery and reinsert the
battery into the sleeve. Reassemble the unit.
If the unit is going to be powered exclusively from phantom power, or if the unit is not going to be
used for a long period of time, we recommend removing the battery to prevent possible corrosion due
to battery leakage.
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WARRANTY INFORMATION
Limited Warranty (USA only)
Applied Research and Technology will provide warranty and service for this unit in accordance with
the following warrants:
Applied Research and Technology, (A R T) warrants to the original purchaser that this product and
the components thereof will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of three
years from the date of purchase. Applied Research and Technology will, without charge, repair or
replace, at its option, defective product or component parts upon prepaid delivery to the factory
service department or authorized service center, accompanied by proof of purchase date in the form
of a valid sales receipt.
Online Registration
We recommend that you register your product online to insure prompt warranty repair servicing on
any repair issues. Please go to www.artproaudio.com. Select “Support”, then "Product Registration”
input your information here.
Exclusions
This warranty does not apply in the event of misuse or abuse of the product or as a result of
unauthorized alterations or repairs. This warranty is void if the serial number is altered, defaced, or
removed.
A R T reserves the right to make changes in design or make additions to or improvements upon this
product without any obligation to install the same on products previously manufactured.
A R T shall not be liable for any consequential damages, including without limitation damages
resulting from loss of use. Some states do not allow limitations of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
rights and you may have other rights, which vary from state to state.
For units purchased outside the United States, an authorized distributor of Applied Research and
Technology will provide service.
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SERVICE
The following information is provided in the unlikely event that your unit requires service.
1. Be sure that the unit is the cause of the problem. Check to make sure the unit has power, all
cables are connected correctly, and the cables themselves are in working condition. You may
want to consult with your dealer for assistance in troubleshooting or testing your particular
configuration.
2. If you believe that the ART unit is at fault, go to www.artproaudio.com.
3. Select “Support”, then “Return Authorization Request” to request a return authorization number.
4. If you are returning the unit for service, pack the unit in its original carton or a reasonable
substitute. The original packaging may not be suitable as a shipping carton, so consider putting
the packaged unit in another box for shipping. Print the RA number clearly on the outside of the
shipping box. Print your return shipping address on the outside of the box.
5. Include, with your unit, a note with the RA number and your contact information, including a
return shipping address (we cannot ship to a P.O. box) and a daytime phone number, and a
description of the problem, preferably attached to the top of the unit. Also include a copy of your
purchase receipt.
Please fill in the following information for your reference:
Date of purchase: __________________________________
Purchased from: __________________________________
Serial Number: __________________________________
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SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Response 10 Hz - 100 kHz, ± 0.5 dB @ +0 dBu
THD <.05% (typical)
Dynamic Range >100 dB (typical)
Channel Separation > 80 dB (typical)
Maximum Input Level +4, +24, +44 dBu (depending on attenuator setting)
Maximum Output Level +6 dBu (battery powered),
+14 dBu (phantom powered)
Input Connections ¼-inch TRS balanced / unbalanced (2), 470k Ohm
Thru Connections ¼-inch TRS (2)
Output Connections XLR male balanced (2), <600 Ohm
Input Attenuation Switchable (0, -20, -40 dB)
Power Requirements 9V @ 7.5 mA (battery, alkaline recommended),
18 - 48V DC @ 6.4 mA (phantom power, per channel)
Dimensions (HWD) 2-inch x 5-inch x 5.75-inch
51mm x 127mm x 146mm
Weight 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg
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www.artproaudio.com
E-mail: support@artproaudio.com
© 2019 Applied Research & Technology
dADB V1.2
Dual Active Direct Box
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