The best DI box for bass

[Red Planet]

Originally Posted by stingraysvt

I am a bass player (17 yrs) turned sound guy (14 yrs) and any sound guy who doesn't take the back out of a Streamliner 900 needs a slap.
I can see where they are hesitant, being a sound guy myself, but the Streamliner out is phenomenal and wins, wins, wins, over any basic active or passive DI I've used.

That is where I do not understand the concept of owning a Genz Benz Amp and using a seperate DI. I directly AB'ed a Summit Audio TD-100 Tube DI into the return on my Shuttle 9.0 into a single Berg HT112ER cab and next to it used a Shuttle 9.0 set flat into another HT112ER cab. I could not hear a difference at all. The tone, texture, feel was identicle between the two. I ended up getting rid of the Summit because I just did not need it. It was as big as a Shuttle, why not just take the shuttle?

[jbares]

I love my millennia td1...anybody else out there use one live? I know they are expensive but I have not looked back since I budgeted and spent the cash..

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Red Planet

That is where I do not understand the concept of owning a Genz Benz Amp and using a seperate DI. I directly AB'ed a Summit Audio TD-100 Tube DI into the return on my Shuttle 9.0 into a single Berg HT112ER cab and next to it used a Shuttle 9.0 set flat into another HT112ER cab. I could not hear a difference at all. The tone, texture, feel was identicle between the two. I ended up getting rid of the Summit because I just did not need it. It was as big as a Shuttle, why not just take the shuttle?

I agree. When I gig with an amp I use the built on DI in my Shuttle. When I gig with my IEM's I need a DI. Gonna go Radial JDI.

[metron]

Anyone try the countryman type 10 yet? Its supposed to be an improved 85.

[ThisBass]

Originally Posted by esa372

Any active DI is a pre-amp.

No it isn't but, if the DI balanced XLR out is considered like a preamp then "active" DI is a preamp with -20dB gain reduction.
-20dB gain reduction is a huge amount of signal loss.

No matter which DI you use active or passive -20dB is the default gain reduction of every DI. Any -20dB/-30dB switch adds additional -20dB/-30dB so the summery is -40dB/-50dB gain reduction.

http://youtu.be/KN5Zn4NrBz4?t=30s[/quote]

Possibly you misunderstand the meaning of DI?


Active DI is a good idea to plug a passive instrument direct into the XLR/micro input of a mixing console.
An active DI provides appro 1MOhm Input to passive Instruments output.
Passive DI cant do that. Depending on the mixing console input the resistance transformation to passive instruments is appro 100kOhm. But some folks do like that sound.

But both (passive and active) do their job, that means providing balanced low level signal feeding and galvanic separation.

[Mendouza]

Originally Posted by DJJazzV

I'm using the Ampeg SVT Tube DI box at this time. The coolest feature is the ability to engage or disengage the tube for the DI and Line Out separately. It also works passive.
For the original post, I also like the Aguilar Tone Hammer DI.

I´m reviving this particular comment as i can´t find information about this Ampeg SVT DI BOX. i recently aquired it and would like to know if somwone knows if i could use this Ampeg SVT DI Box with 220v as i´m in South America? It´s not clear on the box, it only indicates Fuse T. 5A/125v - T. 25A/250v. Do i only have to replace the fuse or use a 125 v transformer?
Thanxs.

[esa372]

Originally Posted by ThisBass

http://youtu.be/KN5Zn4NrBz4?t=30s

Possibly you misunderstand the meaning of DI?

Not likely... I'm pretty sure Mr. Janis knows what he's talking about.

[bassboysam]

Originally Posted by Mendouza

I´m reviving this particular comment as i can´t find information about this Ampeg SVT DI BOX. i recently aquired it and would like to know if somwone knows if i could use this Ampeg SVT DI Box with 220v as i´m in South America? It´s not clear on the box, it only indicates Fuse T. 5A/125v - T. 25A/250v. Do i only have to replace the fuse or use a 125 v transformer?
Thanxs.

Pretty sure you still need a voltage transformer, but i suggest you just email or call Ampeg.

[Mendouza]

Originally Posted by Mendouza

I´m reviving this particular comment as i can´t find information about this Ampeg SVT DI BOX. i recently aquired it and would like to know if somwone knows if i could use this Ampeg SVT DI Box with 220v as i´m in South America? It´s not clear on the box, it only indicates Fuse T. 5A/125v - T. 25A/250v. Do i only have to replace the fuse or use a 125 v transformer?
Thanxs.

Originally Posted by bassboysam

Pretty sure you still need a voltage transformer, but i suggest you just email or call Ampeg.

I contacted Obeid Khan the designer of the original Ampeg SVT DI and he replied immediately with great response.
He said to use a step down transformer with the ampeg SVT DI as it is to use it in 220v environments and/or he confirmed that it can be easily rewired for either 120 or 240v. "For the fuse value you could leave the same and it would not hurt anything and still give you the protection you will need."

Doing this research i found his audio products under Khan Audio Products where he is offering a new DI box VTDI as a all tube direct box, and as being the designer of the original Ampeg SVT DI i wouldn´t hestitate on getting this new version as he describes it as a faithful re-creation of the classic Ampeg SVTDI if i were looking for one.
http://www.khanaudio.com/products/16...ect-Injection/

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by Mendouza

I contacted Obeid Khan the designer of the original Ampeg SVT DI and he replied immediately with great response.
He said to use a step down transformer with the ampeg SVT DI as it is to use it in 220v environments and/or he confirmed that it can be easily rewired for either 120 or 240v. "For the fuse value you could leave the same and it would not hurt anything and still give you the protection you will need."

Doing this research i found his audio products under Khan Audio Products where he is offering a new DI box VTDI as a all tube direct box, and as being the designer of the original Ampeg SVT DI i wouldn´t hestitate on getting this new version as he describes it as a faithful re-creation of the classic Ampeg SVTDI if i were looking for one.
http://www.khanaudio.com/products/16...ect-Injection/

Would like to know if anyone has tried it and willing to give a comment.

[RadioactiveGuy4]

+1 for Eden WTDI

[svtb15]

I just picked up an Evil Twin... Interesting little box... Still getting to know it better...

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Not in my experience. I felt a huge difference live with the REDDI. And when I say huge, I mean HUGE. I don't like DI's ordinarily, and until I got a REDDI I insisted on putting a Heil PR40 on a cab. Once I got the REDDI, I stopped micing.


Matter of opinion. I haven't played through the Evil Twin or the Gas Cooker, but I've heard several recordings done with them. Great DI's, but I'd still rather have the REDDI.

Heh...I can only assume you've yet to try the REDDI. I started the Portaflex Club on here and I have a primo 64 B-15N and used to have a primo 77 B-15N, and I've compared the REDDI and 64 B-15N with a speaker DI extensively. While you don't get the tone controls or the ability to overdrive power tubes, you absolutely get the same quality of clean sound with the REDDI as the B-15N. So not quite as ridiculous as you think.


I'm sure they could. But I'll also bet that if they heard the REDDI, they'd want to use it.

Just my opinion of course...and if you're happy with what you're using, thumbs up from me. But I've had a lot of experience using the REDDI in situations ranging from cheap club PA's to state of the art line arrays in big arenas, and it always makes a big difference, and I'd go back to a mic if it didn't.

[srxplayer]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

What the soundman wants for my sound is pretty low on my priority list. I want MY sound, and I can't say the soundman's opinion enters into it. But I can't say I ever got any resistance from a soundman for wanting to use a Sansamp back when I was using one, and I've done quite a few things that have gotten resistance from soundmen.

I guess I just don't care anymore. I'm not a professional musician but I show up and play the best I can on any given gig. I carry the Radial in my gear just in case but for the most part I just feel that FOH is out of my control so I stopped woryring about what the sound crew is going to do with my sound.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by srxplayer

I'm not a professional musician but I show up and play the best I can on any given gig.

... but for the most part I just feel that FOH is out of my control so I stopped woryring about what the sound crew is going to do with my sound.

I basically feel the same way. I use whatever DI is available and send as good a basic signal as I can. The FOH will be what it will be.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by srxplayer

I guess I just don't care anymore. I'm not a professional musician but I show up and play the best I can on any given gig. I carry the Radial in my gear just in case but for the most part I just feel that FOH is out of my control so I stopped woryring about what the sound crew is going to do with my sound.

If I didn't pay attention to it, we'd have bad sound that doesn't work for our band. Most of the time I have to do nothing because the soundmen get it. But a lot of younger soundmen don't know how to mix for a 50's-60's-70's oldies band, and a little education is needed.

[SteveC]

It's not that I don't care, I just don't know how much difference it will make vs. cost. I think a Radial JDI would make my Roscoe basses sound great in the FOH and my IEM'a. I'm sure the REDDI would as well - but will it be worth/will I hear a $400 difference?

That is my struggle. I did just get some dual driver IEM's so I do need to use a better DI than the $30 CBI that they have at church.

[Chef]

Tech21 are coming out with a new VT-DI that looks good.

[spector_boogie]

Best I've used in a set, permanent situation like that - Avalon U5
Best "live" DI - Radial JDI

What more matters is your in-ears. Get some custom-molded jobs or what DI you're using won't make that much difference.
I like Westone UM2's and I get custom tips made.

[Obeid Khan]

Originally Posted by Bassist30

Would like to know if anyone has tried it and willing to give a comment.

Hi, Stu Brooks from Dub Trio has one in his rig and Kevin Grantt has one too. I am preparing to send one to Will Lee for evaluation as he is an SVTDI user. There are some individuals out there who own, but I don't know if they post on here...

I am willing to try out a new demo option for Talkbass users who would like to try a unit for themselves in their own rig.

We will call it the TB floater unit, and you will get to try it out for a week or two and then ship it to the next guy. All you have to do is pay the shipping to the next guy.

Please contact me through the website www.khanaudio.com or PM through Talkbass and I will get the list started. If there is enough initial interest I will start the TB floater program.

I would really like you guys to hear this DI for yourselves and would appreciate the honest feedback and comparisons you could provide to the Talkbass community.

Best Regards,

Obeid Khan

[MikeBass]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

If I didn't pay attention to it, we'd have bad sound that doesn't work for our band. Most of the time I have to do nothing because the soundmen get it. But a lot of younger soundmen don't know how to mix for a 50's-60's-70's oldies band, and a little education is needed.

Hell, most sound guys these day wern't born until the 70's!