DI Box questions

[R-o-D-]

Hey guys and gals,

I recently got a new preamp offa the Ebay - an old Peavey TB RaXX. it doesn't have a DI, so I was thinking of getting one to run to the FOH for shows. Would I benefit from something specialized like the Markbass SUPER PRO DI BOX.. or would any old DI box work just as good?

Any suggestions?

My current equipment:

Carvin LB-70P (active) -->
Peavey TB Raxx pre -->
Crown XLS 2000 DriveCore -->
Fearful 15/6/1 tube

[Lo-E]

I've had good luck for years with a Whirlwind HotBox, but there are still better options.

The Radial J-48 is an excellent choice and the Countryman Type 85 has been an industry standard for at least 30 years. Look for an input impedance of over 1 Megohm for best results.

[bassgod0dmw]

That depends on what you want from a DI. If you just want a simple box that sends your signal to FOH/console/etc, then you'd be fine with the Markbass. I'd also recommend checking out Radial (JDI or J48) and the Countryman Type 85. They are both considered to be "the standard" these days.

If you want a box that also adds something to your tone, you'd need to look at stuff with EQ capabilities or boxes that add their own color.

Lastly, are you running only active bass(s)? Generally speaking, if you play active bass you'll want a passive DI...and vice versa. Of the stuff I recommended, only the Radial JDI is passive. Looks like the Markbass may also be...

I've got a JDI myself and I highly recommend it. Simple, rugged, sounds great, does it's job well.

[lowfreq33]

Actually you can use an active or passive DI with any kind of bass. The Radial JDI is my favorite passive DI. The Countryman type 85 DI has been around for years and is kind of the standard. If you want some tone controls the MXR M80 is nice, and also has a blendable distortion channel if you're into that. The Avalon U5 sounds great, but it's quite large and may be more than you want to spend.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I use SVTDI, but it's more smoke and mirrors than what the price would lead You to believe.

Just as with SVT (or the fridge), people who recognise it think it's awesome, and people who don't know what it is think it's heavy .

Another vote for Countryman 85.

Regards
Sam

[johnk_10]

IME, the radial J-48 is one of the best ones at any price (and they're reasonably inexpensive).

[Lo-E]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

I use SVTDI, but it's more smoke and mirrors than what the price would lead You to believe.

Just as with SVT (or the fridge), people who recognise it think it's awesome, and people who don't know what it is think it's heavy .

Another vote for Countryman 85.

Regards
Sam

That's really funny.

[georgestrings]

I vote for the Countryman 85 - works well with all basses, and doesn't have to have phantom power... I had the JDI for awhile, sold it - and am happy with the Countryman, FWIW...


- georgestrings

[bassnj]

Radial JDI.

[RickenBoogie]

If you're playing clubs that own their own PA system, they will most likely also provide a DI box for you. Just sayin', unless you have specific tonal goals, but then you'd need to have experience with various DI's- so I'd hold off and get that experience first, before buying your own.

[Joe Louvar]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

I vote for the Countryman 85 - works well with all basses, and doesn't have to have phantom power... I had the JDI for awhile, sold it - and am happy with the Countryman, FWIW...


- georgestrings

+1

I've had my Countryman 85 for years and it stills works great.

[Russell L]

If dough is an issue try a Whirlwind IMP (about $40, I think, these days). It works. Nothing fancy, though.

[husky123]

I always take my MXR M80 DI as a backup if my amp goes down. It has an EQ too so I can add flavor if need be. You can pick them up used all day for fairly cheap.

[stingraysvt]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

I use SVTDI, but it's more smoke and mirrors than what the price would lead You to believe.

Just as with SVT (or the fridge), people who recognise it think it's awesome, and people who don't know what it is think it's heavy .

Another vote for Countryman 85.

Regards
Sam

The SVTDI is a good sounding box, but other than adding some warmth it really isn't loaded with any other bells and whistles.

I keep mine around but I don't use it with all my rigs.

Good sounding DI along with the countryman, another great sounding DI

The Markbass is a solid build though, I'd go for reliability over anything else. My first DI was a Rapco and it's now in pieces after years of gigging

Radials are solid as a brick, Countrymans are too, but I have one or two older ones that aren't solid anymore

Go solid and you'll thank yourself down the road!

[Pickebass]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

If you're playing clubs that own their own PA system, they will most likely also provide a DI box for you. Just sayin', unless you have specific tonal goals, but then you'd need to have experience with various DI's- so I'd hold off and get that experience first, before buying your own.

That's probably the best advice you can get. I've used a $40 whirlwind, a $500 reddi and have gotten the results needed from both. If you feel you NEED a DI, get something with eq. I regularly take either a EBS Microbass II or a Radial bassbone and use them direct into the board. Been doing this so much lately, I'm not taking an amp to some gigs

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by stingraysvt

The SVTDI is a good sounding box, but other than adding some warmth it really isn't loaded with any other bells and whistles.

It's a good sounding DI IME, I do agree there, but for the price one can do much, much better if the logo on the front isn't all that important. IMHO only anyway.

As for the no bells and whistles, how about the amber condom covered light bulb to mimic the tube glow . Of course it doubles as a sort of a power indicator, but still...

Regards
Sam

[Jim Carr]

Ok. I played bass (electric and Gage piezo pick-up equipped upright) through a DI once or twice a week for a few years. The results were broadcast globally (think about it).

I used a Radial JDI for quite a while and liked it. Then after that, I got a Countryman Type 85. Since I got that DI, it has been requested when ever I have offered it.

IMHO, one's amp's DI will often (not always) be welcome, and may in fact suck. Having a good DI in your bag is part of the job.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

IME, the radial J-48 is one of the best ones at any price (and they're reasonably inexpensive).

Inexpensive compared to a U5 or a REDDI, maybe. They pop up used in the ads now and then. I bought both of my J-48s and my JDIs used here at TB.

[stingraysvt]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

It's a good sounding DI IME, I do agree there, but for the price one can do much, much better if the logo on the front isn't all that important. IMHO only anyway.

As for the no bells and whistles, how about the amber condom covered light bulb to mimic the tube glow . Of course it doubles as a sort of a power indicator, but still...

Regards
Sam

Now that part is pretty cool lol!