A Di built into a cable jack plug ?

spark240

I spotted this from Zynk Audio at the guitar show earlier this year, we had a chat and he sent me a cable to try out, my test isnt exhaustive and clearly a Di box can offer more functions, but as an affordable option, this seems to work quite well.

Go to the Youtube vid descriptions for the discount link....
tech issue ;-)
https://www.newmusicreview.co.uk/review-a-di-built-into-a-cable-zynk-audio/

octatonic

Cables break all the time.
I've never had a (good quality) DI break.

Interesting idea but not for me.

Whistler

If you are in control of the sound, then you make your choice.

In my experience, sound engineers know what a DI box is and prefer certainty and reliability so choose to use a DI box rather than plug into something they are not certain what it is or how it will behave.

Danny1969

I have designed and made cables with buffers and headphone amps built in as part of what I call IEM combination cables. In that context the ectronics  need to be in the cable as  the buffer  / differential output needs to be the guitar end not the pedalboard end. The headphone amp is powered from the pedalboard end and amplifies the signal running back in the opposite direction within the multicore cable. This is worth doing as it means you can have crystal clear IEM's, no batteries and as long as a guitar cable as you want. 

A basic multi use DI though is best kept as a box IMHO. I have added things like 2 source to one out switching and mute footswitch for acoustic guitar players. 

spark240

All good points folks,...Ill feed it all back to Zynk.

octatonic

spark240 said:

All good points folks,...Ill feed it all back to Zynk.

Please don't think I am shitting on the idea.

I think it is a good idea for some people.
I am unfortunately just not one of them.

octatonic

Danny1969 said:

I have designed and made cables with buffers and headphone amps built in as part of what I call IEM combination cables. In that context the ectronics  need to be in the cable as  the buffer  / differential output needs to be the guitar end not the pedalboard end. The headphone amp is powered from the pedalboard end and amplifies the signal running back in the opposite direction within the multicore cable. This is worth doing as it means you can have crystal clear IEM's, no batteries and as long as a guitar cable as you want. 

A basic multi use DI though is best kept as a box IMHO. I have added things like 2 source to one out switching and mute footswitch for acoustic guitar players. 

That is a cool idea.
Ever considered making it a commercial product?
Any crosstalk issues?

spark240

octatonic said:

spark240 said:

All good points folks,...Ill feed it all back to Zynk.

Please don't think I am shitting on the idea.

I think it is a good idea for some people.
I am unfortunately just not one of them.

Hey no worries...all feedback is good ;-)

maltingsaudio

In two minds about this. 95% of problems on stage come from cables so having the Di in the cable as your only option is asking for trouble. If it goes down your going to bust out a Di box and a cable.

Personally I applaud any out of the box thinking to make things neater and tidier

spark240

maltingsaudio said:

In two minds about this. 95% of problems on stage come from cables so having the Di in the cable as your only option is asking for trouble. If it goes down your going to bust out a Di box and a cable.

Personally I applaud any out of the box thinking to make things neater and tidier

For me I think its more of a studio thing, for solo artists who can make do with one solution maybe  

maltingsaudio

spark240 said:

maltingsaudio said:

In two minds about this. 95% of problems on stage come from cables so having the Di in the cable as your only option is asking for trouble. If it goes down your going to bust out a Di box and a cable.

Personally I applaud any out of the box thinking to make things neater and tidier

For me I think its more of a studio thing, for solo artists who can make do with one solution maybe  

I’m afraid that makes even less sense in my opinion, as straight into an interface and DAW you can make up the difference between the direct sound and the sound from the Zync or Di with your favourite plug in or EQ on the channel, never mind the argument that everything in a studio should be mic’s not Di’d. Seeing as it’s the price of an orchid micro DI personally I would spend my money on an Orchid.

Ps I did watch the video and it really didn’t sell it, all I was thinking was gain it up a bit and tweak the EQ 

Danny1969

octatonic said:

Danny1969 said:

I have designed and made cables with buffers and headphone amps built in as part of what I call IEM combination cables. In that context the ectronics  need to be in the cable as  the buffer  / differential output needs to be the guitar end not the pedalboard end. The headphone amp is powered from the pedalboard end and amplifies the signal running back in the opposite direction within the multicore cable. This is worth doing as it means you can have crystal clear IEM's, no batteries and as long as a guitar cable as you want. 

A basic multi use DI though is best kept as a box IMHO. I have added things like 2 source to one out switching and mute footswitch for acoustic guitar players. 

That is a cool idea.
Ever considered making it a commercial product?
Any crosstalk issues?

Cheers, I've been writing a book called practical electronics for musicians and this has the circuit diagrams,  enclosure drilling details and part numbers for all the IEM products I've made plus a load of other stuff. I'm hoping that will make a small passive income. 

spark240

maltingsaudio said:

spark240 said:

maltingsaudio said:

In two minds about this. 95% of problems on stage come from cables so having the Di in the cable as your only option is asking for trouble. If it goes down your going to bust out a Di box and a cable.

Personally I applaud any out of the box thinking to make things neater and tidier

For me I think its more of a studio thing, for solo artists who can make do with one solution maybe  

I’m afraid that makes even less sense in my opinion, as straight into an interface and DAW you can make up the difference between the direct sound and the sound from the Zync or Di with your favourite plug in or EQ on the channel, never mind the argument that everything in a studio should be mic’s not Di’d. Seeing as it’s the price of an orchid micro DI personally I would spend my money on an Orchid.

Ps I did watch the video and it really didn’t sell it, all I was thinking was gain it up a bit and tweak the EQ 

Well....Im just trying to help the guy out you know ;-)

maltingsaudio

@spark240 well done for helping him out , as I said I applaud out of the box thinking. From my point of view I look at a product and see how it will fit into what I do to make my life easior. I would add all my thinking is live performance.

spark240

maltingsaudio said:

@spark240 well done for helping him out , as I said I applaud out of the box thinking. From my point of view I look at a product and see how it will fit into what I do to make my life easior. I would add all my thinking is live performance.

You can always try it for a month ;-)