The U5 addresses a problem common to bass and guitar tracking: a standard DI box needs to accept a high-impedance pickup signal without loading it down, while still doing more than a raw pass-through to the output. The Hi-Z input at 3,000,000 Ω acts as a zero-load stage for sensitive pickups and keyboards, and a built-in preamp with variable gain up to +30dB lets you match the level of quiet, passive sources without reaching for a separate mic preamp.
Zero-Load DI and a Speaker-Level Input
Beyond the standard instrument input, the U5 accepts a signal directly from a guitar or bass amp's speaker output, up to 400W, letting you capture the tone of a specific combo without placing a mic in front of the cabinet. The active-to-thru switch decides whether the front panel thru jack passes the raw instrument signal on to a stage amp, or the already boosted and tone-shaped signal, making it easier to record and play live from the same instrument at the same time.
Tone Selection and Buzz Elimination Without Extra Gear
Six passive Tone Shape curves let you shape a source quickly, from a low-frequency boost for bass guitar to a smiley-face curve, without patching a separate equalizer into the signal path. A tone defeat switch lets you drop back to the flat signal at any point. A high-cut filter at -3dB at 8kHz reduces pickup noise and unwanted acoustic pickup when tracking an acoustic-electric guitar. An earth lift switch eliminates ground loops and mains hum without compromising user safety, which matters especially when connecting stage gear running off different power sources.
Two independent, DC-coupled Class A output amplifiers drive a mic-level and a line-level +4dB output at the same time, so one signal reaches both an interface and a monitor console without splitters. A built-in headphone amp allows direct monitoring, and an LED indicator confirms an active signal is present at the input.
KEY FEATURES
- Mono instrument and DI preamplifier, Pure Class A, 100% discrete
- Hi-Z input at 3,000,000 Ω impedance
- Variable preamp gain up to +30dB
- Six passive Tone Shape curves with tone defeat switch
- High-cut filter -3dB at 8kHz
- Speaker input up to 400W
- Active-to-thru switch
- Earth lift switch for ground loop elimination
- Two independent outputs: mic level and line level +4dB
- Built-in headphone amp and signal LED
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: mono instrument and DI preamplifier
- Hi-Z input impedance: 3,000,000 Ω
- Gain: 0dB to +30dB
- Noise floor: -100dB
- Headroom: +30dB
- THD and IMD distortion: below 0.5%
- Speaker input: up to 400W
- Outputs: XLR mic level, XLR line level +4dB
- Power supply: 100% discrete internal supplies
- Country of manufacture: USA
