A DI box is a great recording tool that comes in very handy for many different reasons. It’s great for reamping and also makes mixing much easier.
If you don’t know which DI box is good for you or you can’t choose one, I created a list of the best DI boxes for every budget.
And if you don’t know much about direct input you can read my beginner’s guide about DI boxes.
What’s The Best DI Box?
Here are the best DI boxes you can find today. The list contains devices with different features and price tags so everyone can afford them.
1. Radial ProD2
Overall best DI box for a mid-budget home recording studio.
Radial PorD2 is a passive, two-channel DI box with a built-in transformer that eliminates the noise. The build quality is superb and it’s very easy to use. Comes with features such as a lift switch and a 15dB pad. This device is great for recording guitars, electric pianos, drum machines, and more. It’s a great device for mid-budget home recording studios.
2. Klark Teknik DN200
Active DI box with interesting features and earth lift.
Klark Teknik DN200 is one of the best DI boxes I have used and it has some unique features. It’s the second iteration of the device and offers better performance and options. It’s an active, two-channel direct input device with a phantom-powered operation. Has an earth lift, split switch, and -20dB pad options. Also, it’s a very clean-sounding device and great for recording any instrument.
3. Behringer DI400P
A very affordable DI box for beginner recording engineers.
Behringer DI400P is a very simple and straightforward device and it is great for beginner recording engineers. Also, it’s one of the cheaper DI boxes you will ever find but sounds and works great. It’s a passive DI box with one channel and an additional ground lift option. If you are new to direct signal recording and want to try it then this device would be a great choice.
4. Whirlwind IMP 2
A very simple and straightforward DI box for low-budget home studios.
Whirlwind IMP 2 is another affordable and simple direct input box for beginners and low-budget home studios. Like Behringer, it’s a passive, single-channel box with a ground lift option and low Z output. Works great with bass guitars and electric guitars and is a great device for learning purposes or recording demo tracks.
5. Radial Pro48
Professional yet affordable DI box for intermediate recording engineers.
Radial Pro48 is a bit high-level device and one of the best DI boxes I have ever used. It’s very easy to use, produces clean sound, and is great for recording passive guitars and basses. Also, the price is very affordable and every home recording studio owner can afford it. It’s a single channel, active direct input box with a -15dB pad option and has a frequency range of 20Hz-100kHz.
6. Hosa DIB 443
Cheapest and high-quality DI box for beginners engineers.
Hosa DIB 443 is another very cheap yet high-quality DI box for beginners and low-budget recording studios. A passive, single-channel device with a ground lift option. This is a straightforward device for recording direct signals of bass or electric guitars. Although it’s a cheap device the sound is very clean and adds no distortion to the direct signal.
7. Samson MD1
One of the best DIs if you are looking for a very cheap option.
Samson MD1 is a simple and minimalistic DI box for recording electric guitars and other instruments. I think it’s a go-to device for beginners or for those who want to learn using DI boxes. This budget DI box has a ground lift switch, balanced XLR output, and uses an STL transformer which is responsible for flat frequency response and low distortion.
Conclusion
These are the best DI boxes I have ever used and think you will find the right one for your studio. They are very easy to use and also the prices are very good. For example, Behringer and Hosa cost under $50 which is insane. And the best thing is that they do the job. But if you want more features you can get Radial or Klark Teknik.