The DrAlienSmith DirtBox Distortion FX for Mics operates on 48v phantom power, eliminating the need for batteries or external power supplies. All you have to do is connect your microphone to the DirtBox, route the output to any mic preamp, and enable phantom power. Inside, two transformers perfectly match the levels, while the ‘pre-gain’ volume pot gives you direct control over the amount of distortion. Crank the gain to 10 for bold, gritty textures from any sound source, or dial it back for more nuanced, subtle coloration.
Designed primarily for studio recording, the DirtBox also shows promise for live performance settings. For optimal results on stage, use a cardioid or hypercardioid microphone and maintain low gain levels. Live distortion and feedback can be tricky, so having an experienced sound engineer and keeping stage volume low improves your chances of success.
Utilizing a balanced Y cable, you can achieve separate clean and distorted signals that are perfectly in phase, allowing for creative blending to suit your mix. The Y cable further enables the use of condenser microphones with the DirtBox: by providing phantom power to both clean and distorted preamp inputs, you can power both the DirtBox and the condenser mic simultaneously.
