Samson S-Max MDA1 - Active mono DI box with -15 dB pad, Ground Lift and 9V phantom power

Samson S-Max MDA1 - Active mono DI box with -15 dB pad, Ground Lift and 9V phantom power

The Samson S-Max MDA1 is an active mono DI box designed for live and studio use. It converts unbalanced instrument or line signals to a balanced, low-impedance XLR output , maintaining audio integrity over long runs and noisy environments. Its active design preserves the high end of instruments with high-impedance passive pickups , and offers a switchable 0/−15 dB pad to match the input to hot signals without distortion. It features a Ground Lift to break ground loops and a 1/4" Thru jack that allows the original signal to be sent simultaneously to an amplifier/monitor.

The MDA1 can be powered by 48V phantom power via the XLR or a 9V battery , automatically switching to phantom power when available. It is constructed from 14-gauge steel to withstand intensive touring use. Its wide, linear 18Hz–35kHz response offers low distortion and high dynamic range , ensuring clean, stable conversion to your mixer or interface.

Main features

• Active mono DI for guitar, bass, keyboards, drum machines and line sources.
• Transformation to low impedance balanced (XLR output) for long runs with lower susceptibility to noise.
• Switchable 0/−15 dB input pad for high level signals.
• Ground Lift to eliminate hum caused by ground loops.
• Connectivity : Input and Thru on 6.35 mm jack (unbalanced) + balanced XLR output .
• Dual power supply : 48V phantom or 9V battery , with automatic switching to phantom when present.
• Heavy duty 14 GA impact resistant steel construction .

Product benefits

• Clean, consistent audio : Active electronics maintain detail and brilliance, especially in high-impedance instruments.
• Less noise issues : Balanced conversion and Ground Lift reduce hum and RF in complex scenarios.
• Flexible operation : Thru to monitor with your amp while sending balanced signal to PA/FOH or interface.
• Ready for any setup : runs on 48V phantom power or a standard 9V battery.

Use cases

• Direct : Connect guitars, basses, keyboards or electronic drums to the mixer without losing quality over long cables.
• Studio : clean captures and re-amplification with noise control.
• Facilities : auditoriums, churches and educational centers with extensive routing and multiple users.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does it need power? Yes, via 48V phantom power or a 9V battery . If there's phantom power on the XLR, the unit automatically switches to phantom power.
• Can I use it with “hot” signals? Yes. Use the −15 dB pad to avoid clipping with high-level outputs.
• What's the THRU connector for? It replicates the input for feeding an amplifier/monitor in parallel to the balanced XLR output.

Description for projects

Active mono DI box with 1/4" jack input and Thru (unbalanced) and balanced XLR output . Pad 0/−15 dB; Ground Lift . Response 18 Hz–35 kHz (−3 dB); gain +4.8 dB; dynamic range 105 dB (balanced output); noise −98 dB (pad off); THD <0.05 % (18 Hz–35 kHz); input impedance 1 MΩ / output 200 Ω; max. input +2 dBu (with 9 V battery). Power supply : 48 V phantom power or 9 V battery (auto switching). 14 gauge steel chassis . Dimensions : 127 × 86 × 50 mm. Weight : 0.611 kg.