Radial Engineering JD-6 6-Channel Rackmount Direct Box DI
Product Description
Key Features:
• 6 discrete Radial JDI DI's in a one RU 19" unit
• Jensen® transformer equipped
• Exceptionally low distortion
• High level handling
• Front and back connections
• Optional hook-up extension panels
The Radial JD6 6 channel direct box has been optimized for use in professional touring applications. Featuring the same highly acclaimed Jensen® transformer equipped circuit as used in the renowned Radial JDI direct box, the JD6 contains 6 completely independent audio channels for 100% isolation, minimal crosstalk and low noise. The Radial JD6 is ideally suited for keyboards, electronic drums and audio-visual systems in both live touring and recording environments.
JD•6 Development and Evolution
The Radial JD6 circuit design stems from the original JDI single channel direct box, which was developed by Radial in association with the Jensen® transformer engineering team. Over the years, we received many requests from touring sound engineers for a rack-mount high-density version of the JDI for keyboards and electronic drum machines. This resulted in our developing the Radial JD4 (see review) which became standard equipment with bands as diverse as Journey, Styx, Garbage, Nine Inch Nails, kd lang, and Linken Park among others.
The irrefutable advantage of transformer isolating the source instrument from the destination mixer weighs in as ‘top priority’ for touring engineers by providing exceptional common mode noise rejection, sometimes referred to as ground-loop prevention against noise, hum and system buzz.
The Radial JD4 heralded in several new and innovative features, some of which had never been seen on a DI before including:
- Merge function to convert the input and thru-put to a mono mix.
- High frequency filter for interfacing with vintage equipment.
- Polarity reversal on each channel for phase matching the inputs when combining with pre-AES standard gear.
- Front and rear jacks with front panel priority for quick on-the-fly system reconfiguration.
With the introduction of the new Radial JD6, all of these features have been retained while adding several new innovations. It is important to note that these innovations have come from discussions with ‘real world’ engineers and keyboard technicians that design and configure concert-touring systems. In developing the JD6 we have also tried to incorporate features that are important for the ever-increasing integration of computers and video as part of a total system.
Notable changes include six channels in the same single rack space, two of which have ‘Swiss Army Knife’ functionality to provide the engineer with greater hook-up flexibility. These include front panel priority switching jacks, selectable RCA jacks, merge function, high-frequency roll-off filter, along with standard features shared across all channels such as -15dB pad, ground lift and 180º polarity reverse.
The Radial JD6 sets the bar a step higher by introducing a series of internal ground switches that allow each channel to either float (factory default) or be grounded to the chassis. For system engineers that prefer to ground devices from a single point, a Channel-1 chassis ground switch is provided. This switch is recessed to prevent accidental use and is actuated using a ‘tweaker’ (like a pen). We have even added a rear-panel ground lug, should a rack ground be preferred.
Best of all, in designing the JD6, we have been able to significantly reduce our manufacturing assembly time and metal costs over what they were with the JD4 to a point where we can now offer two extra Jensen Transformer equipped channels at around the same price as the old JD4! And what could be better than six channels for the price of four, all in the same physical size?
• 6 discrete Radial JDI DI's in a one RU 19" unit
• Jensen® transformer equipped
• Exceptionally low distortion
• High level handling
• Front and back connections
• Optional hook-up extension panels
The Radial JD6 6 channel direct box has been optimized for use in professional touring applications. Featuring the same highly acclaimed Jensen® transformer equipped circuit as used in the renowned Radial JDI direct box, the JD6 contains 6 completely independent audio channels for 100% isolation, minimal crosstalk and low noise. The Radial JD6 is ideally suited for keyboards, electronic drums and audio-visual systems in both live touring and recording environments.
JD•6 Development and Evolution
The Radial JD6 circuit design stems from the original JDI single channel direct box, which was developed by Radial in association with the Jensen® transformer engineering team. Over the years, we received many requests from touring sound engineers for a rack-mount high-density version of the JDI for keyboards and electronic drum machines. This resulted in our developing the Radial JD4 (see review) which became standard equipment with bands as diverse as Journey, Styx, Garbage, Nine Inch Nails, kd lang, and Linken Park among others.
The irrefutable advantage of transformer isolating the source instrument from the destination mixer weighs in as ‘top priority’ for touring engineers by providing exceptional common mode noise rejection, sometimes referred to as ground-loop prevention against noise, hum and system buzz.
The Radial JD4 heralded in several new and innovative features, some of which had never been seen on a DI before including:
- Merge function to convert the input and thru-put to a mono mix.
- High frequency filter for interfacing with vintage equipment.
- Polarity reversal on each channel for phase matching the inputs when combining with pre-AES standard gear.
- Front and rear jacks with front panel priority for quick on-the-fly system reconfiguration.
With the introduction of the new Radial JD6, all of these features have been retained while adding several new innovations. It is important to note that these innovations have come from discussions with ‘real world’ engineers and keyboard technicians that design and configure concert-touring systems. In developing the JD6 we have also tried to incorporate features that are important for the ever-increasing integration of computers and video as part of a total system.
Notable changes include six channels in the same single rack space, two of which have ‘Swiss Army Knife’ functionality to provide the engineer with greater hook-up flexibility. These include front panel priority switching jacks, selectable RCA jacks, merge function, high-frequency roll-off filter, along with standard features shared across all channels such as -15dB pad, ground lift and 180º polarity reverse.
The Radial JD6 sets the bar a step higher by introducing a series of internal ground switches that allow each channel to either float (factory default) or be grounded to the chassis. For system engineers that prefer to ground devices from a single point, a Channel-1 chassis ground switch is provided. This switch is recessed to prevent accidental use and is actuated using a ‘tweaker’ (like a pen). We have even added a rear-panel ground lug, should a rack ground be preferred.
Best of all, in designing the JD6, we have been able to significantly reduce our manufacturing assembly time and metal costs over what they were with the JD4 to a point where we can now offer two extra Jensen Transformer equipped channels at around the same price as the old JD4! And what could be better than six channels for the price of four, all in the same physical size?
Join our Email List for Updates and Special Offers
