Bizscott wrote:It has taken me a couple days to ruminate over this stuff and research further, and from what I have found on the web, most of the video content explains that a DI box converts impedance from hi to low and converts an unbalanced signal to balanced. Unfortunately, the information I have found includes reference to these concepts without the background information as to what they mean in real terms of affecting the sound quality.
For the purposes of your usage and this discussion a DI box has ZERO effect on the sound. It is simply a translation box to change the way one device is connected to another device.
simplest example. you have to plug your keyboard into a mixing console traditionally used in a studio or live sound application. The inputs on the mixing console are balanced XLR microphone inputs and your keyboard is unbalanced 1/4inch. In order to make that connection you need a DI box to change the 1/4" unbalanced signal into a low-impedance balanced XLR connection that can be plugged into the mixing console.
Balanced signals have the added benefit of reducing susceptibility to external noise sources getting into the physical wire when using LONG cable runs.
None of these issues are relevant to your application sitting at home playing through your K speaker.
There should be no difference in sound if you plug your Nord into the K speaker with a 1/4" cable or through DI box connected with an XLR cable. It will just be extra wiring that serves no purpose.
Now if your playing out and have to connect to a 3rd party sound system, it could be useful to have your own good quality DI box handy so you won't be dependent on the sound guy having a DI box.
DI boxes are intended NOT to affect the sound quality, only to translate from one electrical connection type to another.
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