Useful Arts BF-S Pro DI

The concept behind the Useful Arts BF-S Pro DI is simple. Useful Arts took the audio circuitry of the BF-1 and coupled it with the linear power supply from the SFP-60. The result? Astounding clarity, headroom and noise specs that only come with the nearly-noiseless high voltage that a linear power supply can deliver.

Which one is right for you? Both have identical feature sets and audio circuitry, except the BF-S adds a ground lift for its XLR output. The BF-1 features a switching power supply, which is light, compact and convenient (no changes needed to adapt to any line voltage in any country). It's also convenient for live use and will fit in most guitar cases. With its compact size, the BF-1 has a noise floor of about 60 dB. ​ With its heavy-duty linear power supply, the BF-S has a noise floor of better than 70 dB - almost unheard of for tube gear. With this power supply, the BF-S is flat from 15 Hz to 80 kHz (-2 dB)!

The BF-S weighs a good bit more than the BF-1, and is encased in a powder coated steel enclosure to withstand the rigors of daily use on a tracking room floor. ​ Most tube DIs start with the design philosophy of a guitar amp. Not the BF-S.

The BF-S is designed to complement the amp, while at the same time offering a different method of impedance conversion that delivers clarity and depth for recording.

DI recording is usually a bit of a bummer. Even with a really good DI, electric instruments sound lifeless at best, or tinny at worst. The BF-S sounds exuberant - adding just a touch of second harmonic to make the subjective listening experience compelling without sounding like the instrument has been altered in any way. Instruments just sound alive.