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Radial USB-Pro 2-channel Active Instrument Direct Box

Stereo USB Laptop DI with 24bit/96k Converters, Two Balanced Outputs Balanced lo-Z Outputs with Switchable Isolation, and Built-in Headphone Amp
22 Write review Item ID: USBPro
$279.99

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Radial USB-Pro 2-channel Active Instrument Direct Box
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$279.99
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The Best Way to Get Laptop Audio Into a Sound System!

If you've ever tried connecting the headphone jack of a computer directly into a sound system, you know that buzz, hum, and interference can completely ruin the experience. With Radial's USB-Pro Stereo USB Laptop DI, you connect to your Mac or PC via USB (no driver necessary) and get crisp, clear 24-bit/96kHz audio quality. Two balanced XLR outputs let you connect with mixers and PA systems, giving you noise-free sound even over long cable runs. The USB-Pro is so effective, at Sweetwater, we feel it belongs on every stage and in every public auditorium!

Related Videos: USB-Pro 2-channel Active Instrument Direct Box

Radial USB-Pro Stereo USB Laptop DI Features at a Glance:
  • Eliminates the hum and buzz from computer headphone/line outputs
  • High-performance 24bit/96k stereo direct box
  • Balanced stereo lo-Z output stays noise-free even over long cable runs
  • Connects to your laptop via USB
  • Lets you plug into balanced outputs via XLR cables
  • Driverless automatic install
  • Built-in headphone amplifier for monitoring
Connecting a laptop to a sound system? You need Radial's USB-Pro!

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Stereo USB Laptop DI
  • Channels: 2
  • Ground Lift: Yes
  • Outputs: 2 x XLR
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Power Source: USB
  • Height: 2"
  • Depth: 3.3"
  • Width: 5"
  • Weight: 1.5 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: R800 1050

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Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5

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Handy interface to skip additional DI boxes

My church has been running outdoor services and the need for before/after service music was a challenge. At first we tried using a 1/8" TRS cable to XLR that we found on another site but this left lots of strange audio issues (certain stereo sounds came out distorted). To improve the sound quality I used a USB audio interface output to 1/4" then two direct boxes to send these as XLR back to the mixer. Overall this worked but I really wanted to streamline this into a simpler setup and not bring in my expensive audio interface.

Searching around I found this Radial USB interface and at first thought, it wasn't that important but after using it more, I realized a few things. The sum to mono sounds pretty good compared to other methods, since we're using this in a live setting, everything is going mono for the house. Mono doesn't sound great in the headphones but this does leave the quality pretty close to the original sound without any issues. The interface does support stereo as well, there's a switch to flip between mono and stereo.

The interface also has a headphone output for monitoring, super handy and this allows you to "solo" the laptop before unmuting to make sure it's correct. I know you can do this from the mixing console but we are running a XR18 headless mixer sitting 30 feet away, so this is my way to checking the sound before it's live. Along with the headphone output is the level output, for me on the XR18 mixer, I have this set to about 10 o'clock and it's plenty loud.

Another feature of this interface is using it with Ableton Live, where you need to have backing tracks to play along with on the stage. For a few praise teams a popular interface is the Loopcommunity Track Rig, this allows USB to send eight output XLR's for various channels. While the Radil is only two channels, it's still allows you to bring your laptop to the event and send output with a small device instead of using an entire rack device. Yes, you can still use any audio interface, output to a direct box, this just seems simpler and less to deal with doing a live performance.

Just to note, this does not come with any USB cables, I'm using a simple USB cable and you don't need anything special. I do recommend something longer, as if you drop this interface, it's like a small brick and will most likely pull your laptop off the table.

One last thing, I reached out to Radial Engineering twice for support questions and both cases they responded within 24 hours. I really try to support made in USA/Canada engineering to keep this support chain going along.
by Robert Freiberger from Fremont, CA on
Music background: Fader monkey and cable winder

Di box

Best di box stereo. Can't beat this price really good.
by Kirk on

Notes on the USB-B input and Usb C 3.2 ports on modern computers

Aside from the quality and sound of this unit, which is not in dispute; It is awesome. Many might be put off by the USB B2 input.
There are several options here.
A. USB-B to USB-C 3.2 cable, readily available (fairly sure this provides more power & data than most video monitors require)
B. USB-C to USB-A converter, using a USB-A to B cable. Both are readily available and provide enough power to operate.
C. USB-A to USB-C cable (for USB-A equipped computer outputs.) This works equally well. Dumb to list I know but still should at least be mentioned.


The moral of the story is don't fear what ports are available on your computer, as long as you have a USB port of any kind.

Caveat: USB C and Thunderbolt are not the same thing, (Thunderbolt 3 ports are typically C compatible to operate USB C devices, but not the other way around) but a USB 3 C / thunderbolt 3 to USB-B cable should work in a thunderbolt port. I have not tried that specific config, so I cannot speak to that. The USB port on the unit is a USB type B spec. It is probable that a thunderbolt 3 to usb B cable should work, just make sure you order from somewhere that has a generous return policy for the cable.

If your motherboard has a PCIE 6-pin power connector to provide extra power to your PCIE and USB bus, you should get close to 60W at your USB port outputs. I think standard power without the added power input on a mobo is close to 27W.

Power requirements are listed on the Radial website as 500mA max, which is easily met by a standard USB 1.1 type bus.

My only beef with this thing is that the USB-B port is not on the same end as the XLR connectors, which would make for a cleaner look and easier wiring for my personal situation. Probably configured this way for noise isolation, but I am just guessing.

5 star unit. Oh yeah, do not use in the rain lol...
by WCK from tomball, TX on

Makes the difference

I Use mainstage for some keyboard sounds in live gigs. This makes setup simpler and more professional looking. I no longer need an interface or a separate DI. All goes into the computer and out the DI. On top of It being simpler, less equipment, and more professional looking.... this box just sounds better. Ive tried every other output method: Portable Audio Interfaces, 1/8inch out to TRS, etc.... This just sounds significantly better.
Its obvious that a DI at this price point would beat out portable audio interfaces or cheapo 1/8inch cables, but I still was genuinely surprised at how much more full everything sounded.
by Sweetwater Customer on

Solid Product

This product is a great solution and alternative to analog audio connections. The DI is essentially plug & play and offers a high quality sound product without all the hums and and static that comes with traditional analog audio equipment.

Highly recommend this for anyone considering making the jump to digital for playback function, or keyboard software.
by Madison Rudolph from Texas on
Music background: Tech Director
See also: Direct Input Boxes, Radial, Radial Direct Boxes
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