DACCAPO : The perfect solution to ground loop and level problem

Until quite recently I had not used any reamping but the problem it solved for me was getting a line level ouput from a guitar amp into an input on a USB mixer to record it. The line out was positioned after the effects in the amp so I wanted to use the high-quality amp effects in recording. I could have put a mic in front of the amp but I didn't want the sound of the amp itself to be heard elsewhere. The problem was how to do it.

The answer was to put the line out from the amp through a dummy load first (because it's not safe to turn a valve amp on disconnected from the speaker - it needs to be connected to something that looks like a speaker resistance-wise) and then to get the audio signal into the mixer. Unfortunately it's not quite that simple, and that's where this DACCAPO box comes in.

If we simply connect the signal straight into mixer, we will also be getting all kinds of 'ground noise', noise generated by the amplifier because it's connected to the mains supply. This ground loop problem is perfectly resolved by the DACCAPO box because the audio signal goes through a transformer and is effectively decoupled. The noise can't get through the box but the signal can.

If that's all it did, this box would be worth the money but it also has some very useful additional features. 'Line level' comes in two shades in the audio world, depending on whether it's professional audio equipment or consumer equipment. Professional audio equipment is referred to a +4dB and the consumer stuff is -10dB. Connecting a +4 output to a -10 input won't sound good because the level's too high. Connecting -10 to +4 will be too weak and you might not even hear it. The DACCAPO comes to the rescue with a switch to choose the option you need. Often it's not clear on a mixer but clicking the button sorts out the problem by either boosting or reducing the signal. You also even have a volume control to fine-tune it.

If you doubt the existence of the 'ground loop problem' you can give yourself a little demonstration with a button on the box to choose between LIFT and GND. With GND you'll confirm why you bought this box!

This is an excellent little box which does exactly what it claims. For me it was an obvious buy. No regrets.