DI-recommendation

Rubinski · #1 12-14-2011, 01:41 AM

Hi people,

Here's the problem:
I've got these EPIC bass-guitars (Fender Jaguar, Jazz bass V)
I've got these EPIC amps,
And many, many pedals that'll make you all jealous.

Now..., since my band in Belgium "The Melting Snowmen" (check Facebookpage) is playing on bigger stages, they plug is in on the P.A.

But those lazy mofo's of the P.A. put my bass-rig trough a little box called "a D.I." witch is send straight trough the mixing-panel.
This makes "my epic sound" sound like crap.

Some people recommended me to buy a pre-amp with a D.I-out.

Are any of you guys on this forum familiar with something like that??
Witch one should I buy??

Peace out

R

bassboysam · #2 12-14-2011, 05:54 AM

Get a Radial JDI, plug it into the speaker output of your amp (basically it goes between your amp and cab) that will send the sound of your bass, effects, pre and power amp to the PA. The only thing that won't be captured is the tone of your speaker cab. If you use distortion be careful because without the natural high-end roll of the speakers, the distortion may sound harsh through the PA, so either roll of some treble or have who ever is running the sound cut some of the treble of the bass channel.

bassgod0dmw · #3 12-14-2011, 06:30 AM

What is your EPIC amp with no built in DI?

Using a DI is the standard for getting your signal FOH, it's not lazy. You can always ask them to mic your rig if you really want, and they may or may not do it. And they may or may not have a decent mic to use...

In any case, I agree with the Radial JDI recommendation. They make a great DI. I use one all the time. It's a passive DI, so if you need an active DI check out the Radial J48 or even a Countryman Type 85. All three are industry standard DI's, very well made, and an excellent choice.

Floyd Eye · #4 12-14-2011, 06:34 AM

Instead buy a high quality mic, designed for close miking of bass cabinets.

AdamR · #5 12-14-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Using a DI is the standard for getting your signal FOH, it's not lazy. .

90% the sound guy will argue with you if you ask to mic your cab or use your amps DI over his DI box .

Floyd Eye · #6 12-14-2011, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamR

90% the sound guy will argue with you if you ask to mic your cab or use your amps DI over his DI box .

This is a problem that can be overcome. Ask Jimmy M.

bassboysam · #7 12-14-2011, 07:20 AM

I have yet to meet a soundguy that refused my JDI and/or Heil PR40

Montana Jim · #8 12-14-2011, 07:39 AM

Radial ToneBone. Has inputs for two basses, with effects loop, and boost. Nice unit...

bassgod0dmw · #9 12-14-2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamR

90% the sound guy will argue with you if you ask to mic your cab or use your amps DI over his DI box .

I've gigged all over CT, not once have I had a soundguy argue with me about using any of my equipment. Amp DI, outboard DI, or a mic. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever used the "house" equipment in this state, it's always been mine.

In either case, and this is just a guess, it seems like the OP is saying the soundguys are using their DI anyways...he's just not happy with the sound.

Muttleybass · #10 12-14-2011, 08:53 AM

I love my SansAmp.

Simple, sounds great, easy to use.

bassboysam · #11 12-14-2011, 08:54 AM

But the OP wants his amp's tone sent to the PA. The sansamp won't do that.

mccartneyman · #12 12-14-2011, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montana Jim

Radial ToneBone. Has inputs for two basses, with effects loop, and boost. Nice unit...

True, but the ToneBone doesn't send the sound of the amp. The Radial JDI will do that.

muljoe · #13 12-14-2011, 09:36 AM

I personally have my own mic and DI box. Most of the time I'll just mic my cab before the sound guy even notices what happened. (since I have my own mic, stand, and XLR) It's better to ask for forgivness! I have a nice amp and mic (I have an RE20), and everyone I've talked to says my tone sounds better mic'd. I also have a Radial JDI that I can send signal to from my speaker out if I run into a sound guy who will not budge on the mic (it also sounds pretty dang good). But seriously, if you have your own mic, mic stand, and cables you can set it up before the sound guy knows. 9/10 times they just say to leave it! Everyone is very suprised how good a good mic sounds on a good amp.

If going for a DI, I would get the Radial JDI

DBCrocky · #14 12-14-2011, 09:45 AM

Is it the JDI that goes between amp and cab, or the JDX?

bassboysam · #15 12-14-2011, 09:49 AM

Both can do it. The JDX though adds a bit more colour and adds a more active speaker simulator. Also the JDX needs a power source, JDI is passive. I found the JDX noisy and a little artificial sounding. It's seems to be really more geared for guitar than bass.

bassnj · #16 12-14-2011, 09:51 AM

+ 1 on everything here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muljoe

I personally have my own mic and DI box. Most of the time I'll just mic my cab before the sound guy even notices what happened. (since I have my own mic, stand, and XLR) It's better to ask for forgivness! I have a nice amp and mic (I have an RE20), and everyone I've talked to says my tone sounds better mic'd. I also have a Radial JDI that I can send signal to from my speaker out if I run into a sound guy who will not budge on the mic (it also sounds pretty dang good). But seriously, if you have your own mic, mic stand, and cables you can set it up before the sound guy knows. 9/10 times they just say to leave it! Everyone is very suprised how good a good mic sounds on a good amp.

If going for a DI, I would get the Radial JDI

johndough247 · #17 12-14-2011, 10:17 AM

Speaking from experience as an engineer and bassist, If you're one to tweak your amp settings quite often during a gig, a mic'd signal or a DI signal after the amp can be troublesome for the FOH as all your tweaks, while they may sound good on stage, may sound bad out front. If YOUR sound is highly dependent on your amp, then I understand your reasoning, just let the soundguy know what's up so you don't throw him a surprise when you boost/cut/engage something and the bass sounds horrible out front.

If your sound comes more from your bass and pedals, I find the best compromise for me is to put a nice DI (I currently use an Aguilar DB900) after all your pedals/FX, just before the amp...I don't have a dedicated amp so I just use the amps provided by the sound crew and treat them as monitors for the most part. Once you set the levels of your FX accordingly so that there's no drastic boost/cut in volume when engaged/disengaged, everybody wins.

In short: get your sound right before the amp and even the most incompetent FOH engineer will have a hard time screwing up your sound...just my 2 cents.

muljoe · #18 12-14-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndough247

Speaking from experience as an engineer and bassist, If you're one to tweak your amp settings quite often during a gig, a mic'd signal or a DI signal after the amp can be troublesome for the FOH as all your tweaks, while they may sound good on stage, may sound bad out front.

This is very correct, once the sound guy gets what he wants...you cannot adjust your amp or mic. That would be very frustrating for a sound engineer.

srxplayer · #19 12-14-2011, 02:50 PM

To the OP,

Your "Epic" tone doesn't sound the same going through the FOH. It makes no difference what Mic you are using. The tone coming out of your cabinet on stage will not sound the same coming out of a FOH system that is using point source or line array loud speakers and subs. These systems are using different size drivers then your bass cab and are tuned completely different and they have to tune the systems for the room. Your stage amp can possibly sound horrible through the system so they want something fairly clean going to the board.

Using a preamp / D.I. is usually workable for a sound team. That has been my usual route when playing live. They take the DI right out of my BMax-T or my Sansamp BDDI. Once it goes to the front of house I can't worry about it because its not in my control any more.

JimmyM · #20 12-14-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muljoe

This is very correct, once the sound guy gets what he wants...you cannot adjust your amp or mic. That would be very frustrating for a sound engineer.

Sorry, I don't buy into that. I often want different tones for different songs, and I get them. I don't see soundmen complaining about guitarists who change their sound and guitars all the time, only bassists. Why should I be constrained to having only one sound and be stuck rigidly with it all night?

However, I would caution against doing drastic volume changes and not to go too far overboard with the tonal changes, especially when boosting low end. But seriously, the soundman's out there sitting on a chair all comfy while I'm up onstage sweating my ass off trying to get a reaction out of the audience. If I can't do my gig to the best of my ability and do everything I need to do to pull off each song because the soundman might have to move a fader while he's sitting and eating a piece of cake, it makes me a little resentful