DI out from amp or a box?

[Kennonjc]

So, I am running a Genz Benz Shuttlemax 12.0 which has a XLR direct output interface. My question is, when playing a large gig, would it better to run a DI box/pedal to go out to the house or out from my amp?
I know I can run out from the amp because I have done that for ages now, but I am just curious if there would be a benefit using a DI box. I have been looking at the Aguilar ToneHammer DI pedal and it seems to get some really nice tones. I've also played around with a Reddi box which is also nice.
I do run a couple of pedals (compression, fuzz, volume, delay) I don't know that makes much difference.

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by Kennonjc

I am just curious if there would be a benefit using a DI box. I have been looking at the Aguilar ToneHammer DI pedal and it seems to get some really nice tones.

Well, there's one benefit I can think of. If your amp breaks or is stolen or whatever, you'll still be able to get a signal to the front of the house. And a good, ampy-sounding one at that if you get an Aguilar Tone Hammer or similar.

Me, I have an itty bitty GK solid state head (MB500) with a good DI out the back of it. It's pre- or post-EQ. Pretty nice. But also have a SansAmp bass driver DI. One reason is amp insurance, as I indicated above. But the other is that I prefer to think of my amp and cabs as my stage monitor. It's not the creator of "my sound." It's where my sound goes to get a lot of watts behind it and a EQ appropriate to the stage I'm on.

I think of both the PA and my amp rig as big, dumb boxes of watts on speakers. They have some basic tone shaping capabilities to accommodate the venue, but the real "me" sound is coming out the side of my pedal board.

Anyway, I'd get that Tone Hammer in a minute.

[newbold]

So would I if my Eden WTDI didn't already sound so awesome and tame peaks so well.

Here's to all the amazing gear available to us in this fancy world.

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by newbold

Here's to all the amazing gear available to us in this fancy world.

No kidding. Amazing compared to the stuff that was around even 15 years ago.

[agedhorse]

Well the back-up argument is plausable BUT the ShuttleMax 12.0 has dual fault tolerant power supplies with automatic switchover to the backup supply in the event that one power supply fails. This makes the DI out almost bulletproof.

There is no reason why a DI in any quality amp can't sound as good (or better) than a DI box. No reason whatsoever. The key to this, and in many things, is buying a quality product to begin with that fits your playing tastess. Word of mouth and historical reliability/reputation of a product is one of the better ways to choose well.

[JimmyM]

Ya, I've always thought outboard DI's weren't really necessary unless your amp doesn't have one or it sucks. The vast majority of DI's in amps don't suck, though. Well, relatively speaking they don't suck. But I hate them

[bassgod0dmw]

I think I remember someone doing a DI shootout, and the GB DI was very comparable to the Countryman Type 85. For simple, bulletproof, and great sounding DI's you don't get much better. I would use the GB DI since it's just easier and less stuff to lug around, although I do carry a backup DI everywhere with me because they are so small.

I use both options, depending on the venue. I gig with a REDDI, a Radial JDI, a GB Streamliner, and a Walkabout. All 4 of them give me a great tone.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Kennonjc

So, I am running a Genz Benz Shuttlemax 12.0 which has a XLR direct output interface. My question is, when playing a large gig, would it better to run a DI box/pedal to go out to the house or out from my amp?
I know I can run out from the amp because I have done that for ages now, but I am just curious if there would be a benefit using a DI box. I have been looking at the Aguilar ToneHammer DI pedal and it seems to get some really nice tones. I've also played around with a Reddi box which is also nice.
I do run a couple of pedals (compression, fuzz, volume, delay) I don't know that makes much difference.

Remember, if your pedals are between your bass and amp, then taking a pre EQ DI from a head will pass those effects to the board, without cluttering them up with EQ you use to make your cab sound good to you on stage.

So, getting the Tonehammer would, in effect, be pretty much the same as adding yet another pedal to your effects board.

The quality of most pre EQ amp DI's are as good as most stand-alone DI's like the Countryman or the JDI. They are all designed to pretty much just pass your bass tone and in-line effects to the board. No real reason to have an external DI box these days IMO. Save your money!

[scotch]

For a gigging bassist, the #1 reason to have a seperate di box is if your amp goes down (and the di along with it!) or is otherwise incapacitated. Having a small, portable, independent di is a show saver!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by scotch

For a gigging bassist, the #1 reason to have a seperate di box is if your amp goes down (and the di along with it!) or is otherwise incapacitated. Having a small, portable, independent di is a show saver!

Valid point!

[JimmyM]

Well I got one but I never tell people about it unless I'm desperate

[bassgod0dmw]

+1 to that. It's the main reason why I carry a separate DI.

[seanm]

+1 I carry a DI with me, but I always use the DI in my amp. One less cable is one less cable. But I have the DI in case something goes wrong with the amp.