The 10 Best Direct Boxes

Editor's Notes

February 19, 2021:

We haven't made any changes to our rankings recently, and in fact, we're impressed with the long-term reliability of all the brands represented here. The Radial JDI Stereo remains one of the most advanced, but the Behringer DI20 is right behind it, and in terms of price, the Behringer is ridiculously affordable. It, along with the Samson MDA1, are both rock-solid budget options, and the Behringer Ultra-DI400P is even less expensive than either.

Some options are intended for specific instruments, such as the Radial Stagebug SB-6 and Radial USB-Pro Active, which are meant for DJs and producers who perform through their laptops. Others, such as the Radial ProD2, are meant for keyboards, but any of these specialized models will also work for a wide range of other instrument applications. For complex setups involving in-depth sound and pedal boards, the highly compact Whirlwind Imp 2 is worth a look, and if you want an ultra-premium choice that will hold up even in large venues, the Rupert Neve Designs Active is an expensive but worthwhile choice.

October 25, 2019:

DI boxes are categorically pretty simple; when they work, they work, and you can spend as little or just about as much as you want on a good one. Radial makes some of the best high-end options, and their Radial JDI Stereo is one of the best models on the market. The Radial USB-Pro Active is ideal if you're running a signal out of a laptop or other USB output, as it promises to be compatible with 24-bit sampling. Behringer, a huge player in affordable audio devices, also has a couple great choices. The Behringer DI20 is not only one of the lowest priced, it also has just about every feature you could need.

If you're willing to make a sizable investment, the Rupert Neve Designs Active is hard to beat, though it is very expensive. You can get by for far less with the Whirlwind pcDI or Whirlwind Imp 2, which are both very durably constructed. They're both excellent for integrating effects pedals a well as equalizers. And if all you need is a single, mono throughput, the Samson MDA1 is both affordable and highly effective.