This is just out of curiosity... Which direct box do you use? This could be for live or studio use... And feel free to share why, though this is more just to see who's using what than to get opinions about the different boxes.

Brian

I haven't used all those listed, but I have used a few. I had an Avalon U5 and that would be my top choice...except for the size and weight. The Radial JDI (my choice) sounds REALLY good and it's way easier to take with you, it's passive, has a Jensen transformer, and is solid as a rock.

I'm not a fan of the BDDI. Whirlwind is fine. Many like the Countryman 85. I haven't used one.

Some of the DI's listed here have some tone control as well. I guess for me, a DI is just that, a DI. Tone control comes by way of a preamp or head. A DI is for getting a nice flat signal to the FOH.

I use the radial JDI just because its simple, small, and sounds really good in every situation I've used it in. I've recorded with and played live with it. The other I've used up there and really liked was the avalon. I recorded one song with it, and my bass sounded really nice, and it looked very well made and was easy to use as well.

Dan

Yeah, I included the preamps because some people (especially in live use... myself included) may just use the included direct out instead of using an additional DI.

Brian

Darn, I didn't see any of my usual DI's on your list: Eclair Engineering Evil Twin, A Designs REDDI or the Littlelabs DI.

of those you've listed, though, I usually go for the Radial.

well i cant really vote in this as i use the DI thats built onto my GK amp.

Darn, I didn't see any of my usual DI's on your list: Eclair Engineering Evil Twin, A Designs REDDI or the Littlelabs DI.

of those you've listed, though, I usually go for the Radial.


Not that there's anything wrong with the list but two of the DI's you have mentioned here are another whole step up IMO.

Nice to see

Just a little Monday morning bump...

Brian

A Designs REDDI tube DI

I have a Tech 21 BDDI. I would like to try out a Radial sometime though.

carrots.

EDIT: presonus tube preamp

I'm bumping this thread for more info

I use a Countryman.

does it for me for recording, but live I tend to use my Sans Amp BDDI

Hi

I am considering buying a passive JDI for my Bass. I have on equestion - our mixer applies phantom power globally across all channels - I know the JDI is passive and so does not need this power, but I cannot turn the pahntom send off at the mixer. My question is - will sending phantom power to the passive JDI damage it, or will it reject the phantom power safely?

THanks

No, it will not damage it. If something doesn't need phantom power, it does not take it. It's not so much that the mixer sends phantom power, it's like it's there, if something needs/wants it, it'll go get it, if something doesn't need/want it, it'll ignore it. Make sense? I hope so.

I have a quick question for the JDI supporters...

How does it do with passive basses? I'm considering a JDI and a lot of the work I do is with a Fender P.

I LOVE my U5!!!! I use it in my recording rig because it takes my signal and doesn't seem to color it, although I recently sold my SansAmp and may get another one to get the SVT-ish tone going, but then again plug-ins such as Amplitube 2 wotk great. I think getting a clean tone into you DAW/recording unit is key to getting good tone. :D

A Designs REDDI tube DI

That's next!!! I've heard killer recordings done with the REDDI.

have you guys seen the article in this months bass player magazine about the Sigma Sound Studio's DI? they say that not only are just 50 being made, but he is building them in batches of 10 and personally matching each box with the original to make sure the sound is dead on.

I have a quick question for the JDI supporters...

How does it do with passive basses? I'm considering a JDI and a lot of the work I do is with a Fender P.
It does just fine with a passive bass. Remember that most of the Motown bass tracks were recorded with a P Bass plugged into a passive DI (actually, it was simply a UTC transformer put into a little box).

Demeter VTDB2; Avalon U5; REDDI.....
That's my list.

Max

I have a quick question for the JDI supporters...

How does it do with passive basses? I'm considering a JDI and a lot of the work I do is with a Fender P.

It does just fine. The only thing my Countryman can do that my JDI can't is handle piezo pickups. That's the only reason it got the nod from me in this poll. Both of those DIs are at the top of my list.

I'm digging the DI out of my EBS Microbass II a lot. A bit of overkill if all you want is a DI, though. Out of the ones I've tried, I dig the Radial, Countryman, Avalon, Summit, and PreSonus. I don't like the Whirlwind and the SansAmp. Although I've used both and been able to get a good enough sound, they're not my favorites.

But quite honestly, it really doesn't matter. I've gotten absolutely great recordings of bass tracks with a Whirlwind Imp2. What's important is the quality of the performance. But if you can afford it, it certainly doesn't hurt to have an expensive one.

My DI is not listed….:( I use the DI built into my Zoom B2.1u … I used to use the DI from my Laney Amp, but I discovered that it was a DI off the input (not selectable)…so I moved "upstream" to my Zoom…here I have the option of pre and post effect, plus a ground lift ...works for me...I get no complaints from the soundman, so works for him, too...

I use the JDI for live work because it sounds great, it's passive and built very tough. I can go to a gig without an amp but never without my JDI.

For recording I use the Aguilar DB900 which sounds slightly better than the JDI. Fatter low-end and extended treble response. However, those slight differences doesn't justify using that big (and more fragile) box for live shows. Nobody would hear a difference.

On certain occasions, I've also used Radial J48 and the BSS (model?) at the soundmen's request with excellent results.

I'd still really love to try the REDDI and the TD-100...

The winner for me is still the JDI, in case someone is looking for a good DI, simple and that doesn't cost that much.

I LOVE the A Designs REDDI!!!! It works great with both electric and upright basses!!!!

What's your favorite direct box?

... Which direct box do you use? This could be for live or studio use...

So, what IS your question?

My favorite DI? - well, it kinda' depends on a lot of variables. What instrument? Active or passive (if it's a bass)? Who's playing it? Am I looking for "punch"? Or is the part more "melodic", or "lyrical"?


Which direct box do I use? Lots! (BTW, why doesn't the poll allow multiple answers?) Countryman Associates Type 85, Whirlwind Hotbox, mid-70's "FETBOX" (limited edition custom-built), Whirlwind Director, Whirlwind Imp 2, Radial JDI, homemade DI made from Jensen DB-E, homemade DI made from Jensen DB-D, homemade DI made from Jensen 13K7 . . . PLUS all of the "instrument in" preamps at the studio - Focusrite model 7, Manley VoxBox, AMEK/R. Neve 9098 modules, Avalon U5, Aphex tube dual mic pre, GrooveTubes tube DI, etc

No, it will not damage it. If something doesn't need phantom power, it does not take it. It's not so much that the mixer sends phantom power, it's like it's there, if something needs/wants it, it'll go get it, if something doesn't need/want it, it'll ignore it. Make sense? I hope so.

Just a note for budding home recordists, this is true for everything except many ribbon microphones.

--

I have been playing live with my band just plugging in to the little vlz pro board and setting the gain a little towards the mic range. Seems to work great with my steinberger spirit. Not so much with my other basses.

I'm sure this breaks a million rules, but it does get a certain cutting tone out of the fretless. Recording, the electric can go right into my Firepod, no problems.

So carrots it is.

I really like my Summit TD-100. I also have a Countryman.

I'm just trying a new DI box that I just got.... I haven't tracked with it yet, maybe tonight at the gig I'll get some tracking done as well as a taste for the 'live' results. It's the Millennia TD-1. I really like the Tube signal path over the Solid State so far. The tube path just offers more dynamics and response to my touch. Although the SS path is great, it doesn't offer the same breath as the tube path. With 8 simultaneous outputs, hooking this up to meet your needs should be a snap.

So far so good and from what I can tell it's built like a Sherman tank!!!

JDI! hard to beat for the value and the sound. Very clean, very linear, the Jensen transformer sounds great. It also works as a re-amp device, or mic-to-line transformer, or an amp level to another amp device.

I'm just trying a new DI box that I just got.... I haven't tracked with it yet, maybe tonight at the gig I'll get some tracking done as well as a taste for the 'live' results. It's the Millennia TD-1. I really like the Tube signal path over the Solid State so far. The tube path just offers more dynamics and response to my touch. Although the SS path is great, it doesn't offer the same breath as the tube path. With 8 simultaneous outputs, hooking this up to meet your needs should be a snap.

So far so good and from what I can tell it's built like a Sherman tank!!!

I've heard nothing but fantastic things on the Millennia products in the studio. I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts on your live results.

Can you blend the channels on the TD-1? A 75/25 mix might be really interesting.

I've heard nothing but fantastic things on the Millennia products in the studio. I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts on your live results.

Can you blend the channels on the TD-1? A 75/25 mix might be really interesting.

I'll report my findings after the gig tonight.....

You can blend the channels IF you had a Y-cable and a second TD-1. :)

Well, I gotta say....for live and for tracking, the TD-1 provides me all the tube goodness with all the clarity my Solid State rigs give me. For live, I have that tube dynamic vibe going on. Band members described it as clear, full, more present in the mix without being too loud. In the recording, I experienced the same results. I can finally get the tone I've often gotten live to translate in the recording as well. Recordings in the past always sounded thin and almost sterile. Still have to mess with it. The only complaint so far with this is the output is really hot. Not sure in the transformer circuit output will offer a lower signal....we'll have to see....

No, it will not damage it. If something doesn't need phantom power, it does not take it. It's not so much that the mixer sends phantom power, it's like it's there, if something needs/wants it, it'll go get it, if something doesn't need/want it, it'll ignore it. Make sense? I hope so.


This is not true for the DI out of many bass heads, though. Plenty of bass heads will fry if you connect them to phantom power as they aren't transformer coupled.

For example:


* Note: The D.I. on the AG 500 is not designed for use with phantom power. Phantom power is a power supply that can be switched on at the channel input of some mixing consoles. It is used to power some types of microphones. Use of phantom power (usually labeled as 48V) may cause damage to the amplifier. Make sure that the phantom power is switched off.

Do you know the deal on the LMII (Little Mark II by MarkBass)? Will it fry if I connect it to a Phantom Power sending input?

I asked the same question to Markbass, and got the reply below:

"Dear Chris,

Let me start by thanking you for contacting us and congratulations on your choice in Little Mark II Markbass head.

Also for the LMII You can use the D.I. even if the mixer applies the phantom to all the XLR channels without damaging the unity.

Have a best New Year 2007 full of music happily powered by Markbass.

TY once again,

Riccardo Damiani

Markbass Online Customer Service

riccardo@markbass.it"

I have done this, and it is fine, as advised by Markbass themselves.

Dude call me ignorant but to me all DI boxes are the same lol... But yeah either way my Line 6 LowDown LD 150 has one built-in