DI on a GK AMP...a good DI?

raul · #1 07-29-2011, 06:48 PM

yes...is the DI on for instance a GK1001RBII good and if so i guess no need for a pedal like a BDDI? how well is the DI on a GK amp head?

i guess if it's super good, i'll just get a Rusty Box instead of a DI box like a BDDI or M-80...

?

JimmyM · #2 07-29-2011, 06:57 PM

Never had a problem with the DI on a GK. Sounds fine to me.

**B-string** · #3 07-29-2011, 06:58 PM

The DI is pretty good, you can use it "pre" tone section or "post" tone section and a ground lift is supplied.

georgestrings · #4 07-29-2011, 09:40 PM

Yeah, the DI on both the 700rb-IIs I've had always sounded very good, and never gave me any troubles - no complaints from any soundmen, either... I always ran mine post-EQ, because I got a good sound that way, and again - had no complaints...

One thing I always liked about that setup was how the XLR outlet and level control for the DI are on the front of the amp, instead of in back, like many amps have them - easily accessable that way...

I always carry a separate DI box as a "backup", because usually if an amp fails, it's DI doesn't work either - I like the Countryman 85, but have also had excellent experiences with Radial's JDI and J48... Whirlwind's IMP2 is a cheaper, smaller alternative that works OK, but is nothing spectacular...

- georgestrings

babsobass · #5 07-30-2011, 08:50 AM

+1 on having a separate DI with you. They provide a much smaller and lighter, and usually less expensive, alternative to hauling a full backup head or full amp. It might just save your a$$ some day.

mowburger · #6 07-30-2011, 08:59 AM

The DI on my RB700mkII was good, soundguys liked it. Nice to have a pre/post eq switch, also ground lift and level control.

+1 on the backup DI tho, they fit anywere and usually the DI's at most venues suck.

will33 · #7 07-30-2011, 09:00 AM

My experience has been with the 800rb mostly and yes, the DI's good, not noisy etc. I like running post eq whenever I can, gets some amp flavor in the board. Doesn't cause a problem as long as you're not doing any extreme eq on the amp that you have to undo at the board.

GigJones · #8 07-30-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raul

yes...is the DI on for instance a GK1001RBII good and if so i guess no need for a pedal like a BDDI? how well is the DI on a GK amp head?

i guess if it's super good, i'll just get a Rusty Box instead of a DI box like a BDDI or M-80...
?

I’ve used my 1001RB-II in many different venues, with PA support, and the DI has always sounded great.
I send it to the board post-EQ and it sounds big and thick in the monitors without being boomy.

cableguy · #9 07-30-2011, 09:10 AM

My 700RB-II has a great DI. Soundmen seem to really like it. I still like to run my sansamp BDDI in front for a little tube emulation. Also a good back up just in case.

ljazz · #10 07-31-2011, 04:46 AM

I've never encountered a problem using the DI in my 700rbII, whether it be pre or post eq.

And I have to agree....... a backup di is a pretty easy thing to bring along.

mam1862 · #11 07-31-2011, 10:38 AM

I never had a problem with the DI on my 700 rb-II and now with the MB Fusion either.

prd004 · #12 07-31-2011, 10:41 AM

As a sound guy and a bass player, I always prefer a dedicated DI, no matter how good the supplied one on your amp is.

ghiadub · #13 07-31-2011, 10:49 AM

You should be fine. I have had the DI hum like crazy our on one of the newer MB combos if you run phantom power to it. Not sure what was up but when we turned it off it sounded fine.

I think the american made ones like yours would be fine, my 400RB and MB150s do not have this issue.

stratovani · #14 07-31-2011, 10:51 AM

The DI on my MB115 combo works just fine.

Bassflute · #15 07-31-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raul

yes...is the DI on for instance a GK1001RBII good and if so i guess no need for a pedal like a BDDI? how well is the DI on a GK amp head?

i guess if it's super good, i'll just get a Rusty Box instead of a DI box like a BDDI or M-80...

?

does it work? Yes. Does it sound Good? Compared to, for example, a $29.00 Behringer, probably quite favourably, compared to a $600.00 Summit or Reddi tube DI, not even close.

The GK stuff is fine, but there are some REALLY nice DI's out there, it all depends how fussy you are.

Personally, I like an AKG 414 stuck 1' in front of my cabinets (and I own some Summit gear).

Cheers,
Cameron

georgestrings · #16 07-31-2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prd004

As a sound guy and a bass player, I always prefer a dedicated DI, no matter how good the supplied one on your amp is.

I understand why one might take that position while running sound, but could you elaborate a little as to why you also feel that way as a bass player, please???

- georgestrings

prd004 · #17 08-01-2011, 08:32 AM

Yes George, I like a dedicated DI as a bass player because it serves as an emergency backup should my amp ever fail, it never has, buy I have the DI as backup insurance. I'm also not a huge fan of the variable level pre/post DI's on most amps, I just want the signal from the bass, pure and simple. Granted we are strictly talking about DI's here no need for all the mic enthusiasts to chime in on the merits of micing I get that.

georgestrings · #18 08-01-2011, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prd004

Yes George, I like a dedicated DI as a bass player because it serves as an emergency backup should my amp ever fail, it never has, buy I have the DI as backup insurance. I'm also not a huge fan of the variable level pre/post DI's on most amps, I just want the signal from the bass, pure and simple. Granted we are strictly talking about DI's here no need for all the mic enthusiasts to chime in on the merits of micing I get that.

OK, I get the backup aspect of that, but since I've never had an amp of my own fail, I'll continue to leave the DI in a case with my spare tuner and wireless - then break it out in the unlikely event of an amp failure... After all, the world won't quit turning if I have to stop for a minute and hook up a DI - although I *have* worked with nationally based sound companies on large stages(10k or more in the audience) that preferred to run the bass thru a DI, so that they had a send to the FOH whether an amp failed or not, and I just went with the flow in that case...

"I'm also not a huge fan of the variable level pre/post DI's on most amps, I just want the signal from the bass, pure and simple"

This doesn't make alot of sense, IMO - since the pre-EQ DI send of any decent amp IS "just the signal from the bass, pure and simple", without any additional gear to break out or set up... As a player, it's definitely a bit less hassle to just use an amp's onboard DI than it is to use a separate DI box, but to each their own, I suppose... The only advantage *I* see to the player of using a DI box is that it provides some protection against phantom power mishaps, but most quality amps have a DI that's already protected for that sort of thing - I've never had any phantom power/DI damage, and I'm sure I've run into a few "global boards" over the years...

Now, as a soundman, I get it, because atleast then you know you'll get a quality bass send, and won't have to fight extreme EQ settings, nor changes during a set - and you know you'll have a good send, even if the guy's amp crashes mid-set... I've run sound for some bands, and had to shake my head at some of the "rigs" I've seen dragged up on stage - not to mention plenty of "musicians" that were clearly clueless...

In the end, to each their own, though...

- georgestrings

will33 · #19 08-01-2011, 09:38 AM

From a soundman standpoint it has to do with quality and consistency...one less problem to solve. If they have a di they like and are used to working with they already know where a lot of knobs need to be set so your channel can get dialed in quickly and predictably....that's leaves more tweak time for vocals and drums which can vary a lot and usually require more attention. Especially if they're the club soundguy running 3-5 acts a night and likely have little if any hands on experience with any of them.

prd004 · #20 08-01-2011, 05:49 PM

George,

The pre eq DI on most amps also have a level knob which I wouldn't want to deal with when running sound, or if I was playing.

Thats just my take based on personal preference. Different opinions aren't necessarily wrong