dbx DB12 Active 48-Volt Phantom Power Direct Box

The DB12 Active Direct Box includes all the features of the DB10 (1/4-inch input and parallel thru jacks, transformer isolation, balanced XLR output, ground lift switch, 3-position pad switch, premium chrome toggle switches, a gold-plated Neutrik XLR output jack), but in an active version. The aggressive styling of its solid, road-worthy, cast-metal chassis is a departure from the usual utilitarian look of most direct boxes.

Driven by phantom power supplied by a mixing console’s mic input, the DB12’s active circuitry operates from 20V to 48V. A green power LED shows the status of the phantom power source.

The DB12’s high input impedance and low-noise buffered active circuitry faithfully preserve the tone and signal characteristics of the instrument source. It also includes a custom dbx mu-metal-shielded isolation transformer, tailored to complement the active circuitry and provide a clean balanced output signal.

In addition to its rugged design, a unique feature of the the DB12 is its heavy-duty molded rubber skid pad, which not only provides a solid, non-skid surface, but is contoured to mate with the tiered surface of the chassis top, making stable stacking of multiple boxes possible for a cleaner, compact arrangement.