The Radial HDI Direct Box is a studio-quality
direct box designed to create exceptional recordings with any
instrument, utilizing premium Jensen transformers and a unique Color
control that provides an entirely new yet familiar-sounding sonic
palette to experiment with.
Despite the complex circuitry housed
within the unit, the HDI has an elegant set of controls that allows the
musician or engineer to dial up a record-ready sound with a minimal
amount of tweaking required. The Level control drives the inputs of the
HDI with instant visual feedback from the responsive front panel meter,
while the Color knob provides seamless blending between an ultra-clean
tone and amp-style distortion and saturation, so you can add just the
right amount of character and grit to your instrument. A smooth Opto
compressor can be engaged to control the peaks of the input signal, and a
High-Pass Filter clears up any excessive low frequencies added by the
Color control. Lastly, a Presence control accentuates the highs and
high-mids, providing the ability to cut through the mix with results
that are sure to impress.
Looks and Personality
With
its gunmetal anodized 1/4" thick milled front panel and distinctive
styling reminiscent of classic outboard studio equipment, the HDI is
sure to turn heads in any recording space. A custom output meter
provides a level check at a glance, with oversized chrome knobs for
precise adjustments and easy tweaking on-the-fly. The HDI is a stunning
standalone unit, but it also comes complete with mounting hardware to
install in standard 19" equipment racks. One or two HDI's can be
installed side-by-side in a 2RU rack space, and like all Radial
products, they are built with rugged components and designed to easily
withstand the rigors of concert touring.
Behind the Design
While
the HDI is incredibly easy to use - requiring only a few seconds to
achieve great-sounding results - both the design philosophy and the
under-the-hood processes at work are anything but simple. Click here to
read an interview with the HDI's designer, W.C. "Hutch" Hutchison for an
in-depth look at how the HDI came to be and what makes its circuitry so
unique.
Radial HDI Direct Box Features
- Dial in an amazing tone within seconds
- Blend from ultra-clean to amp-like distortion
- Smooth Opto compressor for peak reduction
- Mic and line-level outputs
- Oversized custom-wound Jensen transformer
Radial HDI Direct Box Specifications
- Frequency response: Line Output: 1Hz ~ 100kHz +0.25/-3dB, 20Hz ~ 20kHz +/-0.1dB Mic Output: 1Hz ~ 100kHz +0.25/-3dB, 20Hz ~ 20kHz +/-0.1dB
- Dynamic range: 112dB (20-20k, unweighted, referred to +25dBu)
- Gain: Min Gain (Level CCW): -3dB Max Gain (Level CW): +31dB
- Total harmonic distortion: 0.3% @20Hz, 0.22% @100Hz, 0.01% @1kHz (+4dBu In)
- Signal to Noise: 91dB (20-20k, unweighted, referred to +4dBu)
- Maximum Input: 1/4" TS: +5dBu, 3 VAC RMS, 8.4 V Peak to Peak 3.5mm: +25dBu, 7 VAC RMS, 20V Peak to Peak (Level @ 12:00)
- Maximum Output:
Line Level XLR: +25dBu (1% THD at 1kHz) Mic Level XLR: +3.7dBu (1% THD
at 1kHz) 1/4" Processed Out: +8dBu (Approx. unity gain with Level @
12:00)
- Input Connectors: 1/4” TS (front and rear), 3.5mm Synth
- Output Connectors: XLR Line / Mic, 1/4” TS Processed, 1/4” TS Thru
- Construction: 14 gauge steel chassis, 1/2” aluminum front panel
- Size (L x W x D): 8.25” x 8.25” x 3.5”
- Weight: 5.05lbs
- Power: 100-200VAC 0.45A ~ 50/60Hz