D.I. with Acoustic Electric Bass

MyMusic · #1 10-15-2010, 03:02 PM

Would it be better to use a D.I. box between an a-e bass and the amplifier or just run straight to the amp? Also is it necessary to use an acoustic amp with an a-e bass?

RickenBoogie · #2 10-15-2010, 05:27 PM

For what application? Much more info required.

MyMusic · #3 10-15-2010, 06:37 PM

The application would be playing with acoustic electric guitars, keyboard, and drums.

honestjohnny · #4 10-17-2010, 08:52 AM

Depending on the places you play, 4 10" mains/monitors, 1 15" sub, and associated poweramps, a mixer, crossover, stands, cables etc. would serve your group better than dedicated amps. Check out Carvin for for good, inexpensive gear.

Run the guitars, bass, and keys DI and mike the drums and vocals.

KJung · #5 10-17-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyMusic

Would it be better to use a D.I. box between an a-e bass and the amplifier or just run straight to the amp? Also is it necessary to use an acoustic amp with an a-e bass?

A DI is really not the issue IMO, since a DI is typically used to run long cable lengths to a mixing board with a low impedance XLR type input without losing all your high end, etc.

I think what you are asking is if it is OK to run a piezo pickup loaded instrument directly into an amp. The answer IMO is based on if that pickup is buffered by an on-board pream or not. If your Acoustic bass has tone controls, then by definition, it is buffered, and the input impedance, etc. of the typical bass amp will not be a negative. If it is not buffered (i.e., you bass does not require a battery), I find that no matter what the input impedance of a bass amp, a raw piezo sounds harsh and clacky. If that is your situation, a simple preamp like the SansAmp paradriver or whatever works beautifully.

martijn_2m · #6 10-17-2010, 09:04 AM

I run my acoustic bass directly, from the pre-amp into the input of my amp. No problem at all. When I play directly through the PA I use a JDI Radial DI. No problems, great sound!

4Mal · #7 10-17-2010, 09:15 AM

In general you can plug an a-e bass straight into an amp. Most have on board electronics that mate OK with bass amp inputs.

I play a Tacoma CB10 where I ripped out the stock electronics on favor of a passive K&K Pure system. I love it. String to string balance is very even and tonally it's way ahead. None of the piezo quack and it doesn't sound 'processed'. I run a Fishman ProPlatinum EQ / DI or a SansAmp ParaDriver on that one to match the levels with my amp. For the most part, my EQ stays pretty flat on the external box. I might cut some low mid or add some hi mid back at the amp.

FWIW - LaBella Nylon wrapped strings do fabulously on that bass if you're reaching for a 'woody' vibe.

My trio is an acoustic guitar, archtop electric/Octave Mandolin, and bass. We all sing. the guitars and mando go straight to the board and into the monitors. I keep the bass out and use my jazz rig (GK MB2-500/Epifanu T112) and keep the volume low.

All three of us sing and putting the bass into the monitors along with the instruments & voices isn't real clear. A more robust set of monitors would help, but the mini-rig isn't much of a carry. We keep our sage volume super low and let the FOH do the heavy lifting. With key's & drums in the mix, I would imagine that you are going to have to deal with at least moderate stage volume. I think you're stuck with an amp. My rig is obviously not 'acoustic' in nature - it is clear and clean, reasonably full range and you really get the acoustic nature of the instrument.

You probably ought to try a feedback buster as well. The K&K is super sensitive to volume and will howl like a coyote if you give it a chance. Piezo's are less sensitive but can still get wild near an amp ... The feedback buster helps a bunch.

When we've used a percussionist, I position my amp over near him, opposite side of the ensemble from me. That way he doesn't get distracted by all the nervous energy in the guitars and mando as he can hear what I'm laying down real clearly. I play loud enough to be heard cross stage but I'm far enough away that the feedback thing isn't really an issue. Setup to setup, room to room - it's something you have to work with ...

KJung · #8 10-17-2010, 09:28 AM

+1 to the above. As long as you have the piezo buffered somehow before going into the amp (on board or in a pedal), it is really no different from a regular bass guitar with a magnetic pickup.

The Rob Allens use a nice little Fishman buffer with a treble roll-off control that is wonderful.

vin*tone · #9 10-17-2010, 08:55 PM

I recommend an LR Baggs DI for superior feedback busting. You get a notch filter so you can knock out specific boomy frequencies and also a phase switch.... all on top of a very powerful eq system in a compact DI box. I've started using it on my EB too to add punch.