BBE DI-100X User Manual

DI-100x User Manual

®

For your protection, please read these
safety instructions completely before
operating the appliance, and keep this
manual for future reference.

Carefully observe all warnings, precautions
and instructions on the appliance and
described in the operating instructions
supplied with the appliance.

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

INSTALLATION

Water and Moisture - Do not install the appliance near water:

for example, near a bathtub,washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry
tub,in a wet basement,or near a swimming pool.
Heat - Do not install the appliance near sources of heat such
as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances that
produce heat.
VentIlation - Situate the product so its location or position does
not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example,you should
not place the product on a bed,sofa,rug,or similar surface that
might block the vent openings, or placed in a built-in
installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet that might impede
the flow of air through the ventilation openings.
Wall or Ceiling Mounting - If your appliance can be mounted
to a wall or ceiling,mount it only as recommended.
Accessories - Do not place this product on an unstable cart,
stand, tripod,bracket,or table. The product may fall, causing
serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the
product. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket,or table
recommended by the manufacturer, or sold with the product.

Any mounting of the product should follow the manufacturer’s
i n s t r u c t i o n s , and should use a mounting a ccessory
recommended by the manufacturer.

USE

Power Source - Connect the appliance to a power supply only

of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked
on the appliance.
Power-Cord Protection - Route the power cord so that it is not
likely to be walked on or pinched by having objects placed on
it,paying particular attention to the plugs,receptacles,and the
point where the cord exits from the appliance.
Grounding or Polarization - Do not defeat the grounding or
polarization feature of the AC power cord.If your AC receptacle
will not accept the power cord plug,contact your electrician to
install a proper AC receptacle.
When not in use - Unplug the power cord of the appliance
from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.To
disconnect the cord,pull it out by grasping the plug.Never pull
the plug out by the cord.
AC Receptacle - Check to make sure that the AC receptacle

holds the power cord plug firmly and securely. If the power cord
plug is loose, contact your electrician to replace the defective
and unsafe AC
Foreign Objects - Be careful that foreign objects and liquids do
not enter the enclosure through openings.
Cleaning - unplug this product from the wall outlet before
cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a
damp cloth for cleaning.

SERVICE

Unplug the appliance from the wall outlet and consult qualified
service personnel when:

• the power cord or the plug has been damaged.

• a solid object or liquid has fallen into the cabinet.

• the appliance has been exposed to rain or moisture.

• the appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits
a marked change in performance.

• the appliance has been dropped,or the enclosure damaged.
Do not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described
in the operating instructions. For all other servicing,refer to
qualified service personnel only.

CONTENTS

Product Features …………………………………………………3
BBE Process Explained …………………………………………4
Front Panel …………………………………………………………5
Rear Panel …………………………………………………………6
Instrument Application …………………………………………7

Line Level Application …………………………………………8
Service and Maintenance ………………………………………9
Warranty …………………………………………………………10
Specifications ……………………………………………………11

Congratulations on your purchase of the BBE DI­100x Active Direct Box featuring the renowned
Sonic Maximizer ™ Processor!

With the introduction of the DI-100x, we are now
able to offer our Sonic Maximizer™ technology in
an extremely high quality and ruggedly built DI.

This manual will be your guide to understanding
the full functionality of the DI-100x.

DI-100X FEATURES

• Full Function BBE Sonic Maximizer™

• 15dB Pad Switch

• Ground lift switch

• Balanced transformerless XLR Output

• Impedance-balanced 1/4” Tip-Sleeve Output

• 1/4” Tip-Sleeve input and thru-put

• Mil-spec circuit boards

• Extra thick, extra wide circuit board traces for

unequaled electron flow

• 1% metal film resistors throughout

• Solid 1/8” thick aluminum extrusion housing.

Lightweight and extremely rugged

• Made with pride in the USA

IMPORTANT

Before you begin, please check the contents within this
box to insure that included are:

1.The BBE DI-100x Active Direct Box with built-in
Sonic Mazimizer™.

2.The BBE DI-100x User’s Manual.

3.9VDC External Power Supply.

If any of these items are found to be damaged or
missing, immediately contact the BBE dealer from
whom the unit was purchased.

This manual will help you to effectively utilize the BBE
DI-100x. Reviewing the information contained in this
manual will answer most of the common questions that
our service department receives. If you still have
questions, please feel free to call 800-233-8346.

3

THE BBE PROCESS—"WHAT IT IS"

Loudspeakers have difficulty working with the electronic
signals supplied by an amplifier. These difficulties cause
such major phase and amplitude distortion that the
sound reproduced by speaker differs significantly from
the sound produced by the original source.

In the past, these problems proved unsolvable and were
thus delegated to a position of secondary importance in
audio system design. However, phase and amplitude
integrity is essential to accurate sound reproduction.
Research shows that the information which the listener
translates into the recognizable characteristics of a live
performance are intimately tied into complex time and
amplitude relationships between the fundamental and
harmonic components of a given musical note or sound.
These relationships define a sound's “sound”.

When these complex relationships pass through a
speaker, the proper order is lost. The higher frequencies
are delayed. A lower frequency may reach the listener's
ear first or perhaps simultaneously with that of a higher
frequency. In some cases, the fundamental components
may be so time-shifted that they reach the listener's ear
ahead of some or all of the harmonic components.

This change in the phase and amplitude relationship on
the harmonic and fundamental frequencies is technically
called “envelope distortion.” The listener perceives this
loss of sound integrity in the reproduced sound as
"muddy" and “smeared.” In the extreme, it can become
difficult to tell the difference between musical
instruments, for example, an oboe and a clarinet.

BBE Sound, Inc. conducted extensive studies of
numerous speaker systems over a ten year period. With
this knowledge, it became possible to identify the
characteristics of an ideal speaker and to distill the
corrections necessary to return the fundamental and
harmonic frequency structures to their correct order.
While there are differences among various speaker
designs in the magnitude of their correction, the overall
pattern of correction needed is remarkably consistent.

The BBE Process is so unique that 42 patents have been
awarded by the U.S. Patent Office.

4

FRONT PANEL

LOW CONTOUR CONTROL

Regulates the amount of phase
corrected bass frequencies.

15dB PAD SWITCH

This toggle switch selects the desired
gain range of the DI-100x.

When the switch is down, the DI­100x is in normal mode. When the
Pad switch is up, the DI-100x input is
attenuated by 15dB.

PROCESS CONTROL

Regulates the amount of
phase correction.

1/4” INPUT CONNECTOR

The 1/4” input connector of the
DI-100x is unbalanced. The 1/4”
input is designed for running
instrument cables directly into
the DI-100x.

IN/OUT TOGGLE SWITCH

Engages the Sonic Maximizer
Process. When the switch is pushed
up, the BBE Process is on. When
the switch is down, the BBE Process
is off.

1/4” THRU CONNECTOR

This 1/4 “ connector is wired in
parallel to the Input connector
and is used for continuing the
connection to the instrument
amplifier.

5

REAR PANEL

BATTERY COMPARTMENT

Use a standard 9Volt battery.
Battery life is about 15 hours.
Unplugging the input to the DI­100x will turn the unit off and
conserve battery life.

POWER SUPPLY
CONNECTOR

Connect the included
9VDC power supply
here.

GROUND LIFT SWITCH

When in the “lift” position Pin
1 of the balanced XLR output
(ground) is disconnected.

XLR OUTPUT CONNECTOR

The XLR output of the DI-100x is
balanced. The XLR output is used for
running from the DI-100x directly to
the input of a mixing console.

1/4” UN-BALANCED OUTPUT CONNECTOR

The 1/4” output connector of the DI-100x is
impedance-balanced.

Note: The XLR and 1/4” output connectors can be
used simultaneously.

Note: The XLR and 1/4” output
connectors can be used simultaneously.
XLR Pin configuration:
Pin 1 = Ground, Pin2 = Positive and
Pin3 = Negative.

6

INSTRUMENT LEVEL APPLICATION

7

LINE LEVEL APPLICATION

8

SERVICE

We recommend that if at all possible, a BBE DI-100x
which requires service be sent to our facility in
Huntington Beach, California. We request that a
“RETURN AUTHORIZATION” be issued by the dealer
from whom you purchased the unit. If this is not
possible, call BBE Sound, Inc. directly at [phone],
extension 116 to obtain a “RETURN AUTHORIZATION.”
Include a copy of the bill of sale with the unit when it is
shipped to BBE Sound, Inc. so that the service can be
expedited.

Maintenance of the BBE DI-100x is limited to proper
cleaning of the unit with mild household cleaner such
as Formula 409™ or Windex™. The chassis is steel , the
casing is an aluminum extrusion. Both are finished with
a durable polyurethane paint.

There are no user replaceable parts and the unit should
not be opened for any reason unless you are a qualified
technician. Calibration should be performed if parts are

As the repair turnaround time is minimal, we request
that the unit be sent to BBE Sound, Inc. We also need to
add reliability data to our files so that future revision
may be undertaken, if necessary, to improve the product.

If unit has been purchased outside the US, please
contact your national distributor.

MAINTENANCE

replaced or if a performance check-out indicates a
problem with calibration. Long term use has shown that
over the life of this unit there is little or no drift of the
components in the BBE DI-100x which would cause a
change in calibration.

9

WARRANTY

Warranty registration of the unit to BBE Sound, Inc. is not
necessary. It is strongly recommended that you retain a
copy of the bill of sale for future reference.

IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE END
USER TO PROVIDE THE BILL OF SALE OR OTHER
MEANS OF PROOF OF PURCHASE TO VALIDATE
THE WARRANTY IF WARRANTY SERVICE IS
REQUESTED.

The BBE
and workmanship for a period of five (5) years from date of
purchase from BBE Sound Inc. or from an authorized
dealer. During this period, we will repair units free of
charge providing that they are shipped prepaid to:

We will pay return UPS shipping charges within the
USA. All charges related to non-UPS shipping, including
customs clearance, will be billed. The warranty will be
honored for the longer of either 90 days from the date
of any service or the remainder of the original 5 Year
factory warranty.

DI-100x

BBE Sound, Inc.,
5381 Production Drive,
Huntington Beach, CA 92649.

is warranted against defects in material

This warranty will be consider null and void by BBE Sound,
Inc. if any of the following is found:

1. The equipment has been physically damaged.

2. The equipment shows signs of abuse.

3. The equipment has been electrically damaged by
improper connection or attempted repair by the
customer or a third party.

4. The equipment has been modified without
authorization.

5. The bill of sales indicates that the purchase date of
the equipment is not within the warranty period.

All non-warranty repairs are warranted for a period of 90
days from the date of service.

BBE Sound, Inc. is NOT LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES. Should the unit fail to operate for any reason,
our sole obligation is to repair it as described above.

DO NOT RETURN ANY PRODUCT TO THE ABOVE
ADDRESS WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS AND
AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY THE ABOVE LOCATION.

10

SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency Response @ Line Out,

process mode:…………………………………………………Program Controlled
bypass mode: …………………………………………………10Hz to 50kHz (+/- 1dB)

Signal to Noise Ratio:

BBE OUT ……………118dB Power Supply ……………115dB 9V battery
BBE IN (@ 10) ………115dB Power Supply ……………112dB 9V battery

THD: BBE OUT ………………………………………………………less than 0.005% at -l0dBu input 20-20kHz

BBE IN …………………………………………………………0.05% (20-20kHz)

Noise: BBE OUT ………………………………………………………-105dBu

BBE IN (@ 0) …………………………………………………-94dBu
BBE IN (@ 10) …………………………………………………-85dBu

Input Impedance:

instrument ……………………………………………………1 MEG Ohms
line………………………………………………………………12k Ohms

Output Impedance:

XLR ……………………………………………………………600 Ohms
line………………………………………………………………1k Ohms

* 0dBu = 0.775Vrms

Power Requirements:

DC inlet: ………………………………………………………+9VDC min. 200ma

Battery: …………………………………………………………9VDC 15 hour life

Dimensions: …………………...... ……………………………………6.625"(W) x 4.875"(D) x 2.0625"(H)

Shipping Weight: ………………………………………………………3.15 lbs.

Note: Due to continuing product improvement, specifications and design are subject to change without notice.

11

®

5381 Production Drive

Huntington Beach, CA 92649

714-897-6766 • FAX [phone]

www.bbesound.com

covered by U.S. Patent 4,482,866 and other U.S. and foreign patents pending.

BBE is the registered trademark of BBE Sound, Inc.

rev.1 3/03