See below for definition of terms and instructions.
MAGIC DI MANUAL
OVERVIEW
Imagine having state-of-the-art vintage-styled discrete audio electronics in a modern phantom powered active direct injection device. This is what you get with the Teegarden Audio Magic DI. The openness and transparency is unparalleled from any other device in its price range. The Teegarden Audio Magic DI is a transformerless, balanced, active, direct injection pro audio recording device that offers maximum headroom, low distortion and pristine sound quality. It can accept input levels from passive guitar pickups or piezo transducers up to line level console or preamp levels (-40dBu to 0dBu).
The Magic DI was fine tuned to excel on acoustic guitar & stringed instruments, but sounds equally stellar on keyboards and bass guitar.
The flexible Combo XLR/1/4" input jack, combined with the Pad and the Active Buffered Thru can be used to reduce line level signals to instrument level and function as a ReAmp type device.
Pure. Simple. It's Magic!
QUICK START
To get started with your Magic DI, please follow these simple guidelines:
1. Make sure the channel on the mixer or microphone preamp you intend to use with the Magic DI is
muted or turned down before connecting the output of the Magic DI.
2. Connect all cables from your instrument to the Magic DI and from the Magic DI XLROUTPUT jack to the
INPUT connector of your mic pe or mixer channel.
3. The output level of the Magic DI will probably be much louder than traditional passive and active direct
box that you may be used to using. Our circuitry transfers your instrument signal at close to the same
level that it generates. Most other DIs reduce the gain considerably before it gets to the microphone
preamp or console input and have to amplified with gain to a usable operating level. This is not the case
with the Magic DI. Care must be taken to set your console input or mic preamp gain to a lower level.
Operating at this higher level gives you a better signal-to-noise ratio and allows you to use less preamp
gain thus reducing the amount of noise that is amplified by the console/mixer preamp. We suggest
gradually increasing the gain or preamp level on your mixer until it is at the desired listening level - free
from distortion.
4. The PAD may be engaged if your instrument has active electronics or a preamp built in. Many modern
acoustic guitars and basses have active electronics which produce a louder output level. The pad is a -15
to -18dB cut in audio level and can help you if you feel you are getting any undesired distortion or
?break-up?in your tone.
5. The HPF button engages the High Pass Filter, sometimes known as a rumble filter. If you are having
problems with low frequency feedback in monitor wedges or feel like your instrument is producing too
much in the low frequency range, the HPF function will give you up to a -20gB cut in frequencies below
30-50 Hz.
6. The GRN Lift (Ground Lift) feature is most often NOT needed but can sometimes help in a situation
where there is excessive hum or interference. No GRN lift switch on any DI device is 100%effective,
especially on active powered DIs because the unit depends on an electrical ground for +48v phantom
power operation. In some situations the GND switch in Lift position can help reduce any hum noises
you may encounter. Other times it requires using different power sources for connected equipment or
using higher quality cabling.
7. The PARALLEL or PASSIVE THRU is a straight connection from the input jack and can be used to send
your instrument signal to an amplifier, monitor system or tuner.
8. The ACTIVE BUFFERED THRU derives its signal from the Magic DI internal electronics and isolates the
signal from the input. This allows your signal to be split to other devices, signal processors or amplifiers
without impedance shifts or losing any high frequency information that sometimes plagues a straight
passive thru. However, keep in mind the ACTIVE THRU follows the INPUT LEVEL and PAD, so if the PAD
switch is engaged, the level at the ACTIVE THRU will be down by -15 to -18dB.
9. A COMBO INPUT JACK has been provided to offer a wide range of connecting possibilities. Either a ¼"
phono plug or an XLR connector may be used to get your input signal into the Magic DI. Using the XLR
portion along with the PAD switch will permit you to use the Magic DI as a device to send Line Level
Console or DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) Interface Outputs back into instrument level effects pedals
or guitar amplifiers. Keep in mind the Magic DI will still need to be supplied phantom power (+48v) from
the console in order to function in this capacity.
FRONT PANEL
1 – INPUT
Combo 1/4" - XLR accepts unblalanced or balanced inputs from instruments or line sources.
2 – 15dB Pad
Reduces the input sensitivity by 15dB. Use this setting on sources with higher output levels like instrument with built in preamps or most keyboards and computer interface outputs.
3 – HPF
The HPF button engages the High Pass Filter, sometimes known as a rumble filter. The HPF function will give you up to a -20gB cut in frequencies below30-50 Hz.
4 – GND LIFT
The GRN Lift (Ground Lift) feature is most often NOT needed but can sometimes help in a situations where there is excessive hum or interference.
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BACK PANEL
5 – ACTIVE BUFFER THRU
The Active Buffered Thru is a 1/4" output that provides an electronically buffered signal based on the input signal.
6 – PARALLEL THRU
The Parallel Thru is a straight or direct output off the input jackand is unaffexted bt any of the Magic DI internal electronics.
7 – OUTPUT
The standard XLR output connector is for sending your signal to microphone preamplifiers, recording consoles, digital audio converters, sound reinforcement mixers or line amplifiers. +48v Phantom Power is required for operation.
