Mackie MDB-1A Active Direct Box

I work for a local vintage theater that is being remodeled and one of the issues was a ground loop problem when connecting multiple audio mixers across multiple circuits. This stereo passive box worked great, just be aware that you will lose a little amplification as it drops the signal to line level.

I have a very elaborate modular synth set up that goes through a Pioneer DJM V10 which unfortunately only has unbalanced RCA inputs. I route the master to a Motu M4 audio interface with Mogami XLRs but there was so much noise due to the unbalanced RCAs. For the price point, you really can’t beat it (especially compared to JDIs). Highly recommend!!!! Totally cleaned up the noise!

I really like this particular model because I don't have to carry around spare batteries. Of course, you are reliant upon your mixer having phantom power, so that is an important limitation to be aware of if you are relying upon other people's boards. But if you are using your own board, this is a cool piece of hardware and has a lot of nice features like the 15db pad, the ability to combine two sources or use the second 1/4" jack as a "through" jack. I also like the ability to switch polarity and the ground lift. In addition, it feels like a solid little box that is well made. I've been using them for about a year now with no issues - just nice quiet signal.

Excellent sound quality, sturdy and easy to connect, keep in mind you need phantom power for it to work

Excellent product its worth the price

buen producto, funciona super bien

I needed one of these for main PC audio to capture game audio and some OBS monitored stuff and another one to capture communications audio, so I could feed that to another channel with it's own mix that went back out to a BEHRINGER U-PHORIA UMC202HD, 2-Channel from that bus, so the people on coms wouldn't have to hear themselves come back at them. I also had another UMC202HD to capture the main mix from the mixer to throw into OBS. Both devices are plug and play and are completely clean without buzz/noise. I used to run everything through the 1/8 inch jacks on the PC because it was good enough, but then I picked up a ton of cable whine and ground buzz out of no where that I couldn't seem to eliminate even though everything was running through a power conditioner. These devices solved my problems and have been work horses in my studio ever since.

Works as it should. Feels solid. Looks also good, looks professional enough (I wish for a Radial). Its small too. Hope it lasts trouble-free.