DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED IN THE

UNITED STATES BY SAMSON TECHNOLOGIES

INPUT

OUTPUT/LINK
LEVEL

GTR/SPK

SD100

www.samsontech.com

PIN 1 GND
PIN 2 HOT
PIN 3 COLD

BATTERY

PHANTOM

GND LIFT

BATTERY

BALANCED OUTPUT
MADE IN CHINA

Direct Insertion Box

Table Of Contents

3
3

Front and Rear Panel Layout

Powering S direct
Operating the S direct
Direct insertion of an instrument into a PA system
High power signals
Converting the output of unbalanced devices

4
5
6

Specifications

Copyright 2002, Samson Technologies Corp.

Printed April 2002
Samson Technologies Corp.
575 Underhill Blvd.
P.O. Box 9031
Syosset, NY 11791-9031
Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766)
Fax: 516-364-3888
www.samsontech.com
A

K-TEAM

PRODUCTION

--

S direct Front and Rear Panel Layout

2

DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED IN THE

UNITED STATES BY SAMSON TECHNOLOGIES

INPUT

OUTPUT/LINK
LEVEL

GTR/SPK

SD100

www.samsontech.com

PIN 1 GND
PIN 2 HOT
PIN 3 COLD

BATTERY

PHANTOM

GND LIFT

BATTERY

BALANCED OUTPUT
MADE IN CHINA

INPUT - 1/4 input connector.

LEVEL - When engaged, the level

is switched from instrument GTR to
amplifier speaker SPR level.

GROUND LIFT - When engaged, the

ground from the S direct chassis
detaches from the XLR jack.

BALANCED OUTPUT - Male XLR

connector.

BATTERY/PHANTOM - Switches S
direct from phantom power to battery operation.

OUTPUT/LINK - 1/4 output for passing the input signal through to a stage
amplifier or monitor system.
BATTERY COMPARTMENT - Houses

Powering S direct
The S direct can operate on a single 9 Volt battery or standard 24-48 volt phantom
power. Whenever phantom power is present on the XLR cable that is connected to
the Balanced Output, the S direct will automatically switch to phantom power and
disconnect the 9 Volt battery. The Phantom/Battery switch can be used to turn off the
battery power when the unit is not in use.
3

Operating the S direct

A direct box, or DI box, provides the facility for the direct insertion of an audio signal
into a mixer or recorder. The S direct offers a variety of DI solutions for live sound
and recording applications. You can connect all kinds of audio signals like guitars,
keyboards, outboard signal processors and even the high-powered speaker output
from an amplifier. The S direct enables you to tap off the signal from a guitar or bass
guitar and pass the signal from the Link output to the on stage amplifier without
affecting the original sound. This can eliminate the need for micing the guitar amplifier, which in many cases is preferable, especially with bass guitar. The S direct is also
very useful for connecting unbalanced signals from sources like signal DJ and submixers, effects processors and keyboards to a main PA or recording mixer. Unlike
passive direct boxes, the S direct is active (has a power supply), so you can rely on
an even frequency response on any audio signal you connect to regardless of its
output impedance. Also, the S directs balanced output provides a clean signal at a
low level so long runs of cable are possible. Another benefit from a balanced connection is Common Mode Rejection, which provides cancellation of the bad sounds
(hums and buzzes) while leaving the original signal pure.
Direct Insertion of an Instrument into a PA System
One of the most common applications for using a DI box is getting the signal of a
bass guitar into the PA system. Simply put, the low frequencies produced by bass
are difficult to mic, so use of a DI box is almost always preferable. In addition, the
signal going to PA system can be tweaked by the FOH (front of house) engineer,
without affecting the sound the musician dials up on stage. You can use S direct to
plug a guitar directly into the PA system as well, especially acoustic guitars with pickups and when using electronic guitar processors and modelers. Follow the diagram
and steps below to connect a guitar to a PA mixer.

Connect the output of the guitar or bass to the S directs INPUT.

Connect S directs OUTPUT/LINK to the input of the guitar or bass amplifier.
Connect S directs BALANCED OUTPUT to the input of main PA mixer.

Operating the S direct

Typical Instrument Hook-up

NOTE: To avoid
annoying pops
and clicks be sure
to mute (or turn
down the volume
control) of your
mixers output
while connecting
the S direct, or
when switching
from battery to
phantom power.

Balanced Output
(opposite panel)
SIGNAL FLOW

Input

DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED IN THE

UNITED STATES BY SAMSON TECHNOLOGIES

INPUT

OUTPUT/LINK
LEVEL

GTR/SPK

SD100

www.samsontech.com

Link
Output

SIGNAL FLOW
MODEL 3500 350 WATTS
INPUT

GRAPHIC EQUALIZER

PRE AMP
A

PASSIVE

30Hz

B
6

4
7

9
0

10

4
7
8

9
0

64Hz

125Hz

250Hz

500Hz

1KHz

2KHz

3KHz

5KHz

10

6
7

+15
+12
+9
+6
+3
+2
0
-2
-3
-6
-9
-12
-15

IN

9
0

ACTIVE

OUT
-15

TUBE

SOLID STATE

CONTOUR

8KHz

+15

8 2

COMPRESSION
30Hz

64Hz

125Hz

250Hz

500Hz

1KHz

2KHz

3KHz

5KHz

3
5

15
-18

15
+18

LOW PASS

4
5

15
-18

Transient Attack

MASTER
3

2
1

HIGH PASS

10
15
+18

10 10

10

8
9
0

10

VOLUME

POWER

8KHz

MIC/LINE 1

MIC/LINE 2

MIC/LINE 3

MIC/LINE 4

MIC/LINE 5/6

MASTER SECTION

MIC/LINE 7/8
AUX 1 OUT

LEFT

CR

MIX

AUX 2 OUT

RIGHT

RIGHT

LEFT

MONO OUT

MONO OUT
30

Amplifier

-26

+26

60

0
5

5
10

10

5
10

80Hz

10

15

15

LO CUT

AUX 2
DSP

10

LO CUT

AUX 2
DSP

10

10

AUX 2
DSP

10

Mixer

2T OUT

10

LEFT

RIGHT

DIGITAL EFFECTS

15

BAL

10

AUX 2
DSP

10

AUX/DSP
RET 2

DISK

AUX
RET 1

10

BAL

HARD

DSP TO MON

AUX 1
MON

RIGHT

24 DSP

10

AUX 2
DSP

10

LEFT

LF

10

PAN

10

RANGE

80Hz

AUX 1
MON

AUX 2
DSP

10

DYNAMIC

2T IN

15
5

15

10

PAN

2.5K

10

15

15

AUX 1
MON

10

PAN

80Hz

MAXIMUM
2T TO MIX
MF

5
10

15

LF

12K

15

10

15

10

LO CUT

AUX 1
MON

10

PAN

15

15

AUX 1
MON

10

80Hz

2.5K

10

15

LF

5
10

15

MF

HF

10

15

10

15

10

15

15

AUX 1
MON

10

12K

10

15

2.5K

HF

10

MF

15

LF
80Hz

12K

10

15

10

15

HF

60

10
6
7

+48V

MODE

LO CUT

15

MF
2.5K

+26

10

15

10

-26

12K

10

80Hz

HF

15

LF

60

5
10

15

10

15

15

15

2.5K

10

15

LF

+26

10

MF

-26

12K

15

R LINE IN

CLIP

HF

10

5
10

15

60

15

MF
2.5K

10

+26

10

15
5

15

12K

10

-26

R LINE IN

GAIN

CLIP

HF

30

GAIN

CLIP

15

30

GAIN

CLIP

BIT

30

GAIN

10

POWER

PEAK

1 LARGE HALL
2 MEDIUM HALL
3 LARGE ROOM
4 VOCAL RM.
5 VOCAL RM. 2
6 CHORUS+REVERB
7 CHORUS+DELAY
8 STAIRWELL

+6
0
-6
-12

DSP

-20
8

1
L

10

REC

REC

10

10

REC

10

10

10

REC

REC

10

10

10

10

PEAK

SELECT

REC

10

DIGITAL EFFECTS

MASTER SECTION
10

10

10

10

MIX/2T
5

10
15

10

10

10

10

C/ROOM
+PHONES
5

15

15

15

15

15

15

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

20

30
40

30
40

30
40

CHANNEL 3

10

CHANNEL 4

10

10

CHANNEL 5/6

10

10

CHANNEL 7/8

10

PHONES

10

15

20

15

20

30
40

10

15

15

20

30
40

CHANNEL 2

10

15
20

15

20

30
40

CHANNEL 1

10

15

20

MIX

10
15
20

30
40

Connecting to High Power Signals

The S direct provides the capability of tapping off the signals from amplifiers, such as the
output of a guitar amp or power amplifier. You can even use S direct to connect to the
speaker output of a consumer stereo system or boom box, for example, if you want to
sample some old records or cassette tapes.
NOTE: Be sure that the LEVEL switch is set to the AMP position before connecting the signal from the output of any amplifier.
Follow the diagram and steps below to connect a powered output of a guitar amplifier to a
PA mixer.

Connect the output of the guitar or bass to the guitar amp input.

Set the Level switch to the SPK position.

Using unshielded speaker cable, connect the guitar amps speaker output to the S
directs INPUT.

Using another unshielded speaker cable, connect S directs OUTPUT/LINK to the

input of the guitar amplifiers speaker.

Connect S directs BALANCED OUTPUT to the input of main PA mixer.

5

Operating the S direct

NOTE: This example may
appear to be the same as
the previous, however in
this example, the S direct
is tapping the sound of the
instrument and amp, as
opposed to just the instrument itself.

Balanced Output
(opposite panel)
Input
DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED IN THE
UNITED STATES BY SAMSON TECHNOLOGIES

Amp Speaker
Output

INPUT

OUTPUT/LINK
LEVEL

GTR/SPK

SD100

www.samsontech.com

Link
Output

SIGNAL FLOW
MODEL 3500 350 WATTS
INPUT

GRAPHIC EQUALIZER

PRE AMP
A

PASSIVE

B
6

4
7

9
0

10

4
7
8

9
0

30Hz

64Hz

125Hz

250Hz

500Hz

1KHz

2KHz

3KHz

5KHz

8KHz

30Hz

64Hz

125Hz

250Hz

500Hz

1KHz

2KHz

3KHz

5KHz

8KHz

10

IN

9
0

OUT
-15

TUBE

SOLID STATE

CONTOUR
+15
+12
+9
+6
+3
+2
0
-2
-3
-6
-9
-12
-15

+15

8 2

ACTIVE

COMPRESSION

3
5

15
-18

15
+18

LOW PASS

4
5

15
-18

Transient Attack

MASTER
3

2
1

HIGH PASS

10
15
+18

10 10

10

8
9
0

10

VOLUME

POWER

SIGNAL FLOW

PA Mixer
MIC/LINE 1

MIC/LINE 2

MIC/LINE 3

MIC/LINE 4

MIC/LINE 5/6

MASTER SECTION

MIC/LINE 7/8
AUX 1 OUT

LEFT

CR

MIX

AUX 2 OUT

RIGHT

RIGHT

LEFT

MONO OUT

MONO OUT
30

30

GAIN

GAIN

CLIP

CLIP

CLIP

-26

+26

60

0
5

LF

15

15

10

LEFT

RIGHT

HARD
DISK

AUX
RET 1

10

LEFT

DSP TO MON

AUX 1
MON

AUX 2
DSP

RIGHT

24 DSP

DIGITAL EFFECTS

10

AUX 2
DSP

2T OUT

80Hz

10

AUX 1
MON

10

AUX 2
DSP

10

RANGE

LF

15

10

AUX 1
MON

10

AUX 2
DSP

15

15

80Hz

10

DYNAMIC

2T IN

2.5K

10

15

LF

15

MF

10

15

15

80Hz

LO CUT

MAXIMUM
2T TO MIX

15

2.5K

10

10

AUX 1
MON

10

12K

10

15

MF

HF

10

15

LF

15

12K

10

15

10

15

15

HF

10

MF
2.5K

10

AUX 1
MON

AUX 2
DSP

12K

10

10

AUX 1
MON

10

HF

15

80Hz

LO CUT

R LINE IN

15

LF

15

10

15

10

15

R LINE IN

60

+26

10

MF
2.5K

10

15

80Hz

LO CUT

-26

HF
12K

10

15

LF

15

15

15

60

15

10

10

5
10

MF
2.5K

10

15

80Hz

LO CUT

+26

-26

HF

15
5

15

15

12K

10

5
10

10

60

15

2.5K

10

15

+26

10

MF

15

12K

10

15

5
10

-26

HF

10

15

+48V

10

AUX 2
DSP

AUX/DSP
RET 2

10

MODE

Amp Speaker
Input

Amplifier

30

GAIN

CLIP

BIT

30

GAIN

POWER

PEAK

1 LARGE HALL
2 MEDIUM HALL
3 LARGE ROOM
4 VOCAL RM.
5 VOCAL RM. 2
6 CHORUS+REVERB
7 CHORUS+DELAY
8 STAIRWELL

+6
0

Converting the Output of Unbalanced Devices

The S direct can be quite useful on stage or in the studio for connecting unbalanced
devices, particularly keyboards. The output levels of many keyboards are low, so their signals can benefit greatly by connecting their unbalanced outputs to the S direct. By doing
so the signal can be
Link
sent cleanly for long
Typical Stereo Keyboard
Output
distances while benHook-up
Input
efiting from the low
Keyboard Stereo
noise and common
SIGNAL FLOW
Output
Balanced Outputs
(opposite panel)
mode rejection proSIGNAL FLOW
vided by S directs balInput
anced low-level output. The diagram folLink
lowing shows a typical
SIGNAL FLOW
Output
hook-up for a stereo
On Stage
Keyboard
keyboard connected to
SIGNAL FLOW
Monitors
a stereo stage monitor
system and the main
PA mixer.
Main PA
0

10

10

PAN

10

PAN

10

PAN

10

PAN

10

BAL

BAL

10

DSP

PEAK

-6

-12

-20

REC

REC

REC

REC

REC

SELECT

MASTER SECTION

DIGITAL EFFECTS

REC

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

MIX/2T

10

10

15

10

10

15

15

15

20

20

20

20

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

CHANNEL 1

CHANNEL 2

C/ROOM
+PHONES

10

10

10

10

10

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

10

15

20

CHANNEL 3

10

10

10

CHANNEL 4

10

CHANNEL 5/6

10

10

PHONES

CHANNEL 7/8

MIX

DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED IN THE

UNITED STATES BY SAMSON TECHNOLOGIES

INPUT

OUTPUT/LINK

LEVEL

GTR/SPK

SD100

www.samsontech.com

DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED IN THE

UNITED STATES BY SAMSON TECHNOLOGIES

INPUT

OUTPUT/LINK

LEVEL

GTR/SPK

SD100

www.samsontech.com

MIC/LINE 1

MIC/LINE 2

MIC/LINE 3

MIC/LINE 4

MIC/LINE 5/6

MASTER SECTION

MIC/LINE 7/8

AUX 1 OUT

LEFT

AUX 2 OUT

RIGHT

LEFT

CR

MONO OUT

MIX

MONO OUT

30

30

GAIN

CLIP

-26

-26

10

15

MF

10

15

LO CUT

LO CUT

MF

LO CUT

10

MON

10

AUX 2

10

AUX 2

DSP

10

10

10

AUX 2

AUX/DSP
RET 2

10

BAL

HARD
DISK

DSP TO MON

AUX

DSP

10

PAN

RIGHT

+48V

POWER

RET 1

10

DSP

10

PAN

AUX 2

DSP

10

PAN

AUX 2

DSP

10

LEFT

24 DSP

AUX 1

MON

10

2T OUT

RIGHT

DIGITAL EFFECTS

AUX 1

MON

LEFT

10

AUX 1

MON

PAN

10

15

15

AUX 1

MON

AUX 2

2T IN

LF

80Hz

AUX 1

10

RANGE

2.5K

MON

10

DYNAMIC

10

15

10

15

15

MF

80Hz

10

15

15

15

LF

MAXIMUM

2T TO MIX

15

10

15

80Hz

2.5K

10

15

LF

12K

10

15

10

15

HF

10

15

2.5K

10

10

15

15

AUX 1

DSP

MF

15

12K

10

15

80Hz

10

15

15

10

LF

HF

10

15

MODE

LO CUT

10

2.5K

10

15

12K

MF

HF

15

80Hz

10

15

15

15

LF

RIGHT

60

+26

10

15

10

15

80Hz

10

10

2.5K

10

15

LF

12K

MF

10

15

-26

HF

15

2.5K

10

60

+26

10

15

R LINE IN

CLIP

12K

10

R LINE IN

GAIN

-26

HF

12K

10

15

60

+26

HF

CLIP

60

+26

30

GAIN

CLIP

15

BIT

30

GAIN

10

BAL

10

10

PEAK

1 LARGE HALL
2 MEDIUM HALL
3 LARGE ROOM
4 VOCAL RM.
5 VOCAL RM. 2
6 CHORUS+REVERB
7 CHORUS+DELAY
8 STAIRWELL

DSP

PEAK

+6
0

-6

-12

-20

Mixer

10

10

REC

10

10

10

REC

REC

10

10

10

SELECT

REC

10

10

DIGITAL EFFECTS

MASTER SECTION
10

10

10

10

MIX/2T
5

C/ROOM
0

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

30
40

CHANNEL 4

10

15

CHANNEL 3

10

15

CHANNEL 2

10

15

CHANNEL 1

10

30
40

20

REC

REC

10

10
15

CHANNEL 5/6

+PHONES
5

10

10
15

20

20

PHONES

10
15
20

20

30
40

30
40

CHANNEL 7/8

10
15

30
40

MIX

30
40

S direct Specifications
Frequency Response
Noise Level (22-22kHz, Input Shorted)
THD + N (10 Hz -22 kHz)
Input Impedance
(GTR)
(SPK)
Max. Input Level (1% THD)

5-35 kHz, -3 dB
-104 dBu
0.013% typ. @ 1 VRMS,1 kHz.
> 1 Meg. Ohm
10 k Ohm
+8.1 dBu ( 9v. Batt.)
+11.3 dBu (48v. Phantom)
1/4 Phone Jack, unbalanced
1/4 Phone Jack, unbalanced
XLR Connector, balanced
24-48 VDC
9 Volt
5.6 W x 4 D x 2 H
142mm W x 101.6mm D x 50.8mm H
15 oz.
.43 Kg

GTR/SPK Input
OUTPUT/LINK
BALANCED OUTPUT
Phantom Power
Battery
Dimensions
Weight

Samson Technologies Corp.

575 Underhill Blvd.
P.O. Box 9031
Syosset, NY 11791-9031
Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766)
Fax: 516-364-3888
www.samsontech.com