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Can I use the SB-5 with instruments?

The SB-5 is designed to work with pre-compressed buffered signals such as those produced by CDs and other recorded formats. Instruments are better served by direct boxes that have the suitable input sensitivity and dynamic range such as the SB-1 or SB2.

How does the SB-5 compare to the Radial ProAV2?

The Radial ProAV2 is a direct box that is designed to both handle computers and consumer level devices along with instruments with a wide dynamic range such as a digital piano while the SB-5 is designed for pre-compressed audio files. The ProAV2 also has more connector options. This makes the ProAV2 more flexible albeit at a higher cost.

I heard that active DIs are better. Is this true?

No. When working with signals such as the output from a computer, the signal is already buffered and therefore active. So running one buffered signal into an active buffered interface often has no advantage.

It is easy to change the cable?

Yes. You simply open the SB-5, use a small screw driver to open the strain relief and release the cable. Wick off the solder, and then re-solder in the new cable. We have made the solder points accessible to make this as easy as possible.

Can I use the stereo TRS outputs and the mono XLR output simultaneously?

No, the SB-5 is not a splitter. When connection is made to the TRS outputs, the mono XLR output is automatically switched off.

Can I damage the SB-5 if I send phantom power to it?

No, the transformers inside the SB-5 will block any phantom power that is applied to the TRS or XLR outputs of the device, preventing any damage to the SB-5 and any connected devices.