Radial J48 Phantom Powered Active Direct Box

The Radial J48™ is the world's finest active direct box. It has been optimized to handle extreme transients while maintaining the integrity of the audio signal to allow the natural tone of the instrument to shine through, both on stage and in the recording studio.

Most battery-powered guitars and basses will produce as much as 7 Volts when played at maximum volume, which can easily overload typical active direct boxes which are only able to handle about 3 Volts. Exceeding the maximum voltage for a DI creates all types of distortion: bass sounds thin and lacks punch, guitars sound scratchy and tend to have sporadic peaks, and they lose their natural body resonance.

The J48 features a unique switching power supply that steps up the internal rail voltage to an amazing 9 Volts, resulting in improved signal handling and greater headroom. This extra headroom significantly reduces harmonic, phase, and inter-modulation distortion, and has resulted in the J48 finding a home with countless pro touring acts and recording studios around the world.

Radial J48 Features

• Exceptional headroom and dynamic range
• Linear frequency response extends well beyond 20kHz
• Merge switch sums stereo instruments to mono
• Low-cut filter, -15dB input pad, and polarity reverse
• Retains the natural tone of your instrument
• Ideal for basses and active acoustic guitars
• Great for keyboards and drum modules
• Ideally suited for live stages and recording studios
• Huge 9 Volt internal rail voltage for extra headroom
• Handles loud transients without distortion or clipping
• Powered by 48V phantom, no batteries required

• J48 Phantom Powered Active Direct Box1
• Three Year Warranty, transferable1

• Audio circuit typeProprietary analog circuit with low-noise op-amp
• Frequency response20Hz ~ 20kHz
• Dynamic range109dB
• Total harmonic distortion0.002% @ -5dBu
• Intermodulation Distortion0.003% @ -3dBu
• Phase Deviation+10º at 20Hz | 0º at 1kHz | -1º at 20kHz
• Input Impedance220kΩ - ¼" input
• Output Impedance200Ω - XLR output
• Equivalent Input Noise-103dBu
• Noise-99dB below 0dBu
• Maximum Input+10dBu
• Input Connectors1/4"
• Output ConnectorsBalanced XLR, 1/4" Thru
• Construction14 gauge steel chassis and outer shell
• Dimensions (LxWxD)3.3x5x2" (84x127x48mm)
• Weight1.55 lb (720 g)
• Power48V phantom - proprietary digital switching
• ConditionsFor use in dry locations only between 5°C and 40°C