Now available from Pigtronix, the new Keymaster is an impedance matching, effects mixing direct box that was designed to allow you to do more with the gear you already own. Without loss of tone, the Keymaster is said to route any sound source (XLR mic, line level, or instruments) into effects via two true-bypass loops, and then optimize the mixed effects signal for your instrument amplifier, mixing console, or DAW.

The Keymaster DI’s arrangement simplifies the process of routing sound through effects and then out into any device without losing signal integrity, according to Pigtronix. The two loops can be switched between series and parallel, with a Crossfade function for onboard or expression pedal-controlled blending of different effects. In addition, Input and Output boost controls add up to 10 dB of gain both before and after the loops.

Instrumentalists can use the new Keymaster to blend an instrument’s natural tone with a floor processor, or even cell phone or laptop-based effects, using a standard expression pedal. Likewise, vocalists and horn players can use the Keymaster to control their effects mix from the stage, while guitar players can mix pedals in the same way that a DJ would use turntables.

The Keymaster's key features:

• Impedance matching, effects mixing direct box
• Routes any sound source (XLR mic, line level, or instruments) into effects via two true-bypass loops
• Optimizes the mixed effects signal for instrument amplifiers, mixing consoles, or DAWs
• Two loops can be switched between series and parallel
• Crossfade function provides onboard or expression pedal-controlled blending of different effects
• Input and Output boost controls add up to 10 dB of gain
• Useful for instrumentalists, vocalists, horn players, guitar players, and more

Pigtronix says that the Keymaster is already in use by some of the world’s top producers and FOH mix engineers, such as Hector Castillo (producer / engineer for David Bowie, Bjork, Roger Waters) and Sean Quackenbush (FOH engineer for Robert Randolph, Experience Hendrix Tour, Lettuce).

The new Pigtronix Keymaster is now available for $299 (MSRP) from Pigtronix dealers. For more information about the Keymaster, visit pigtronix.com.