The Behringer V-TONE ACOUSTIC DRIVER DI ADI21 is an acoustic amp modeler, direct recording preamp and DI box built into a single floor pedal. Behringer describes it as combining "the features of an active DI (direct injection) box with our proprietary tube/mic emulation circuitry," so an acoustic guitar with an under-saddle pickup or magnetic soundhole pickup can be given a more microphone-like character before it reaches a PA or recording interface1.
The pedal is aimed at players who want a full DI, amp and microphone simulation, and a 3-band EQ with sweepable mids in one box, which Behringer sums up as "a lot of value in one little stompbox"2. It sits in the same family of acoustic preamp and DI pedals as the Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp, the Radial AC Driver and the LR Baggs Session DI, though those units approach the job differently.
What it does to your sound
The modeling side of the ADI21 applies tube and microphone emulation to the signal from the guitar's pickup. Behringer describes the result as a sound that is "more natural with smooth saturation, just as if your guitar were being mic'ed in the great outdoors"1. In plain terms, the pedal is trying to take the hard, quacky edge that piezo and magnetic pickups can have and replace it with the softer, airier character of a microphone in front of the guitar.
The BLEND control is central to how that works. Behringer explains that "the BLEND control allows you to mix the amount of modeled tone with your instrument's normal output"1, so you can keep as much of the raw pickup sound as you want alongside the modeled signal.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| BLEND | Mixes the amount of modeled tone with the instrument's normal output1 |
| 3-band EQ with sweepable mids | Onboard EQ that Behringer says keeps feedback under control1 |
| Ground lift switch | Eliminates ground loop hum problems1 |
| Mode/DI footswitch | Steps the pedal into a straight active DI mode, bypassing the modeling1 |
The sweepable mids are worth a second look if you play loud: midrange frequencies are often where acoustic feedback starts, and being able to sweep the mid control to the offending frequency and cut it is a practical stage tool, not just a tone shaping one1.
Running it as a plain DI
If you would rather skip the modeling altogether, Behringer says you can "just step on the switch and the ADI21 functions as a rather superb active DI"1. That makes the pedal a two-in-one unit: an acoustic preamp and modeler when the emulation is engaged, and a conventional active direct box when it is not. An active DI, as opposed to a passive one, uses the pedal's power to drive the signal, which helps preserve level and frequency response over long cable runs to a console.
Outputs and connecting to a console or recorder
The output section is laid out on both 1/4" TS and balanced gold-plated XLR connectors. Behringer says these "can be used to send a low-impedance signal to the mixing console or straight to tape"1. The balanced XLR output is the one to reach for when running long distances to a front-of-house desk or a recording setup, since a balanced low-impedance line is far less likely to pick up noise along the way than an unbalanced instrument-level signal.
Power
The ADI21 runs from a 9 V battery or from Behringer's PSU-SB DC power supply. Behringer is explicit that the supply is not included with the pedal: "You can power this little lifesaver with a 9 V battery or our PSU-SB DC power supply (not included)"1.
The PSU-SB power supply is sold separately. If you plan to run the ADI21 on mains power rather than a battery, budget for the adapter as an extra purchase1.
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Questions
Does the Behringer ADI21 run on a battery?
Yes. Behringer says you can power the ADI21 with a 9 V battery, which makes it usable on gigs where no power supply is handy. The alternative is Behringer's own PSU-SB DC power supply, which is sold separately rather than bundled with the pedal.
Is the power supply included with the Behringer ADI21?
No. Behringer's product page states that the PSU-SB DC power supply is not included with the ADI21. The pedal can run from a 9 V battery instead, or you can buy the PSU-SB separately if you prefer to power it from the mains.
Can the ADI21 connect directly to a mixing console?
Yes. Its output is available on 1/4" TS or balanced gold-plated XLR connectors, which Behringer says can be used to send a low-impedance signal to the mixing console or straight to tape. That makes it suitable for plugging straight into a PA or recording desk.
What does the ground lift switch do on the ADI21?
The ground lift switch is there to eliminate ground loop hum problems. When two pieces of gear are connected through different ground paths, hum can appear in the signal; engaging the ground lift breaks that loop and quiets the noise.
What does the Blend control do on the V-TONE Acoustic Driver DI?
The BLEND control lets you mix the amount of modeled tone with your instrument's normal output. In practice you can run anything from a fully untreated acoustic signal to a heavily modeled one, dialing in just as much of the tube and microphone emulation as the song needs.
Sources (2)
- ADI21 | Behringer, Behringer
- ADI21 | Behringer, Behringer
