DI questions

cadet · #1 10-09-2011, 04:52 PM

Hi folks!

I've got a routing question I'm having trouble sorting out. Currently I'm going direct from my bass into a LMII. I have a RNC compressor in the effects loop (jumpered serial). I send to the house from the LMII DI.

I don't like the LMII DI. I'd rather run something like a Radial JDI or comparable. However, our sound guys are relatively new and I want to give them a hand and keep the compressor on my signal before sending it to them (I don't squash it).

So then, how do I keep the RNC in both the amp and house paths without hitting the LMII DI? I'm fine with the LMII pre not being in the house path, but the RNC needs line level, so I'll need some preaming between my bass and it.

My best idea so far is to put a Radial inline between the RNC out and the return to the head, sending out to the house and returning to the head from "thru." But that seems a little unorthodox and I'm not sure about the impedance between the RNC and the JDI. Is that the best way to go or am I missing something obvious?

Thanks!

bongomania · #2 10-09-2011, 05:15 PM

This is actually not an easy one. Given the specific amp and compressor, you might need a balanced splitter box rather than a DI. The problem then is that the desk will get a line-level signal, and if the sound guys are new then they may have trouble with that.

Honestly I'd take the FMR out of the equation because it is not meant for this sort of setup. And you're not fond of the amp's DI, so that's out.

So your best bet is a different comp: one that will run on an unbalanced instrument-level signal, and any decent DI box.

WalterBush · #3 10-09-2011, 05:23 PM

Is there a reason he couldn't use a Countryman DI on from the speaker output of his LMII? It's my understanding that particular feature is one of the reasons one may buy a Countryman.

**B-string** · #4 10-09-2011, 05:26 PM

Wouldn't it be easier to just get an amp that has a decent DI? So many out there with good DIs built in and you may no longer have a need for an outboard compressor.

GrowlerBox · #5 10-09-2011, 05:27 PM

How about a preamp/DI box at the end of the effects chain and into the effects return on the LMII from the unbalanced out and to the desk from the box DI? -- on that amp, the insert point is before the EQ, so you still get the Markbass filters, etc.

bongomania · #6 10-09-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalterBush

Is there a reason he couldn't use a Countryman DI on from the speaker output of his LMII? It's my understanding that particular feature is one of the reasons one may buy a Countryman.

Fair point. FWIW the Radial JDI has the same ability/feature.

cadet · #7 10-09-2011, 05:42 PM

Doh! There's the one I was missing. I completely forgot the JDI can tap the parallel jack on my cab and send to FOH. I'm going to give that a shot and see what I think.

georgestrings · #8 10-09-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadet

Doh! There's the one I was missing. I completely forgot the JDI can tap the parallel jack on my cab and send to FOH. I'm going to give that a shot and see what I think.

I've done it before, and it worked pretty well...

- georgestrings

seanm · #9 10-09-2011, 08:13 PM

If your sound guys are new, I would give them a clean signal with no compressor. A post EQ signal just means they have to un-eq your signal, easy for an expert... harder for a newb. Giving them the compressed signal may just make things harder... they may not want a compressed signal.

We don't get a sound guy often, but when we do I always talk to them and none of them compressed my bass. To a man they said they don't like to compress bass unless they have too. Although that could be a local preference.

jmbjandfam · #10 10-09-2011, 08:14 PM

What is it that you don't like about the LMII DI?

cadet · #11 10-09-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanm

If your sound guys are new, I would give them a clean signal with no compressor. A post EQ signal just means they have to un-eq your signal, easy for an expert... harder for a newb. Giving them the compressed signal may just make things harder... they may not want a compressed signal.

We don't get a sound guy often, but when we do I always talk to them and none of them compressed my bass. To a man they said they don't like to compress bass unless they have too. Although that could be a local preference.

I actually run my amp EQ flat, so they're not fighting me with the EQ. I don't like to compress bass very much either (was a sound guy before picking up bass, and trained our current guys), but have found I really like some tame compression on this Fender. Helps the guys when I slap, too.

cadet · #12 10-09-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmbjandfam

What is it that you don't like about the LMII DI?

It's not that bad, but I've noticed some more pronounced highs via the DI. And not really the "sparkly" highs that can bring out articulation, but rather some "thin" highs. Again, it's not bad, but I thought since I have a few Radials available I might as well make use of one if I could.