Members tcrewsman Posted June 25, 2009 Members Share Posted June 25, 2009 Hello Board: I just purchased a Radial Pro DI and am trying to learn the ropes of it. I noticed with just playing around on my PA that when i lift the -15dB PAD switch, the guitar level spikes and actually sounds better and louder than with the switch pressed in. My question is, what is the purpose of this switch, I understand it has something to do with converting my guitar to microphone level but I am just not sure and I am new to the world of direct boxes as my band has just now made the jump out of the basement onto the big stages Will it be better to keep this switch lifted or depressed? Also, what is the ground lift switch about? Anything y'all can tell me will help. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Axisplayer Posted June 25, 2009 Members Share Posted June 25, 2009 Ground lift is to reduce hum if you get any when connected. The PAD switch is used to attenuate the input level of device plugged into the DI. In other words, if the signal is hot, you can reduce its level going into the box by using the PAD switch. If the signal is weak going in, don't engage the PAD. The main purpose is to regulate the input so you don't saturate the DI (ie cause distortion.) If you don't need to use the PAD then don't. Your ears should tell you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MXDAD Posted June 25, 2009 Members Share Posted June 25, 2009 You use the pad when you see to hot a signal on your board. If your channel gain is all the way down and your still clipping press the pad button and it lowers the signal level. Never using it is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tcrewsman Posted June 25, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 25, 2009 by engaging do you mean keeping the switch pressed down or lifting the swtich? when i got the system, the switch was pressed in. I lifted it when playing around with it. Not sure my mixer on my pa will tell me about a hot signal. I have a peavey xr8600? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MXDAD Posted June 25, 2009 Members Share Posted June 25, 2009 When it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MXDAD Posted June 25, 2009 Members Share Posted June 25, 2009 Oh hang on maybe you or I am mixing up the gnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tcrewsman Posted June 25, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 25, 2009 okay thanks. So the box came with the ground lift switch pressed in so i will leave it that way and i will keep the pad switch unpressed in which i get a louder signal on my guitar. This sound right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TimmyP Posted June 26, 2009 Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 As it is a passive DI with a good transformer, you will likely need the pad only when you are feeding the DI with a modern keyboard, or some acoustics with preamps in them, and that will likely be to keep from overdriving the console, not the DI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Speedhead Posted June 26, 2009 Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 Some bass guitars I've come across will require the PAD to be engaged due to a hot signal. Comes in handy alot of times. My sound board also has PAD's on each channel which is great especially on drum channels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnnychange Posted June 26, 2009 Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 tcrewsman, I use the Radial direct boxes and I recommend you leave all of the switches in the out position unless you need them pressed in. In other words if your signal coming from an instrument is too hot then press the -15 pad, or if you notice some hum noise that should not be there press the ground lift switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted June 26, 2009 Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 I just bought a race car and I notice that it goes faster when I press the accelerator in 5th gear... why is that??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrJoshua Posted June 26, 2009 Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 I just bought a race car and I notice that it goes faster when I press the accelerator in 5th gear... why is that??? Design flaw. Better take it back. Does it also leak noxious fumes from a pipe near the rear of the car? That's another sign that you need to return it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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