www.radialeng.com PZ- D I ™ Piezo Optimized Active Direct Box USER GUIDE Radial Engineering Ltd. 1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5M5 Tel: 604-942-1001 • Fax: 604-942-1010 • Email: info@radialeng.
PZ-D I ™ Piezo Optimized Active Direct Box Table of Contents Page Introduction...............................................................................1 Input & output panel features...................................................2 Overview & load adjustment.....................................................3 Powering the PZ-DI..................................................................4 Connecting the JPC.................................................................
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 INPUT PANEL OUTPUT PANEL 1. INPUT: ¼” hi-Z input used to connect the instrument to the PZ-DI. 8. 2. THRU: ¼” throughput used to feed an on-stage instrument amplifier. NO SLIP PAD: Provides electrical and mechanical isolation while keeping the PZ-DI from sliding around on busy stages. 3. LOAD: 3-position switch lets you adjust the input impedance to optimize the load for the type of pickup being used.
Overview Upon first look, the Radial PZ-DI appears to be similar to most other direct boxes. This is true. You can use the PZ-DI just as you would a Radial J48 or one of our other direct boxes. Where it differs is that it has been optimized for use with piezo-electric pickups as these are the most problematic of all. A three position load switch lets you match the PZ-DI’s input with the type of pickup you are using.
Powering up Always make sure levels are turned off before making connections. This will help eliminate turn-on transients that can harm more sensitive components such as tweeters. You should also test at low volumes before turning up. The PZ-DI does not require a battery or power supply to make it work. It uses 48V phantom from the mixing console. All you do is plug it in, turn the phantom power on at the mixing desk and the power LED on the PZ-DI will illuminate to let you know you are set to go.
making connections Connect the source instrument to the input using a standard ¼” instrument cable, set the appropriate load and connect the XLR output to your mixer using a standard mic cable. The PZ-DI will convert the high-impedance unbalanced signal to a balanced low impedance signal that will properly interface with the audio system. This will enable you to run long balanced cables without noise or signal loss. Radial Engineering Ltd.
Buffer Off Using an amplifier If you are using an on-stage amplifier for personal monitoring, use the THRU to make this connection. This is basically a pass-through that takes the original signal and feeds it to your amp. Passive Bass Side access Buffer Thru ON switch The PZ-DI features a side access buffer ON ‘set & forget’ switch that allows the thru-put connector to be used two ways. Buffer Off When OFF (out position) the direct signal from the source instrument is sent thru to the amp.
Using the -15dB pad As previously mentioned, the -15db PAD is used to reduce the PZ-DI’s input sensitivity. This lowers the signal level while also lowering the impedance to reduce susceptibility to noise. Most instruments do not produce enough output to overload the PZ-DI. However, if you are using high output devices like active basses, digital pianos or maybe a headphone output from a computer, engaging the PAD will help by avoiding overload which in turn can cause the circuit to distort.
PZ-DI Hi-Cut Filter Response Using the HI-CUT filter Another extra feature that is included on the PZ-DI is a high frequency filter. This is used to warm up the sound of the instrument by gently rolling off high frequencies above 3kHz while allowing lower frequencies to pass. The high-cut (low pass) filter is primarily used on buffered instruments such as acoustic guitars or violins that have a built-in preamp.
PZ-DI Specifications and block diagram Circuit type:................................................ Proprietary analog circuit with low-noise FET op-amp Frequency Response:............................... 20Hz ~ 20kHz Maximum input level:................................. +10dBu THD+N:..................................................... 0.02% Dynamic range:......................................... 105dB Equivalent input noise:.............................. -98dBu Maximum Gain:...............................
RADIAL ENGINEERING 3 YEAR TRANSFERABLE WARRANTY RADIAL ENGINEERING LTD. (“Radial”) warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship and will remedy any such defects free of charge according to the terms of this warranty. Radial will repair or replace (at its option) any defective component(s) of this product (excluding finish and wear and tear on components under normal use) for a period of three (3) years from the original date of purchase.
