Please school me on DI/going direct to PA.

[Muddslide]

Hello, All.

I used to be in several bands and gigged regularly from about 1982-1999. Then I had to give it up.

Back then (and, heck, still today really) I was minimalist when it came to my stage setup. P-bass into a mic'd amp and some occasional fuzz from an old Rat or Muff pedal.

THIS is the year I have resolved to get back into a band and start gigging again. I miss it so bad.

Unfortunately, I am just not going to have the money to put together a real amp rig.

So I'm thinking of trying to score a decent, cheap practice amp for home and band rehearsal use and then I'd like to look into using a DI.

Thing is, I don't know anything about them really.

I'd like to know--is it possible to play small venue/low-level gigs without a big amp rig on a fairly regular basis as long as the house has a good PA?

How does it work if both the vocals and bass are going through the PA?

Can I even be taken seriously by a potential band to join if I don't have a stage-worthy rig?

I just need to know about this approach in general. Anyone use it more or less exclusively? Or is it more of a "last ditch" kind of scenario when an amp fails?

Believe me, I'd like nothing better than to get a good amp rig, but I don't see it as a possibility at this point. I'd just really like to get back into the mix.

Maybe I should look into a combo amp that would suffice for practice AND small venue shows?

I appreciate any advice, suggestions, thoughts, guidance, etc.

Thanks.

Sorry so long.

[cableguy]

First you do not say what sort of music you will be playing. I would start by buying a used combo amp with a 12 or 15 inch speaker and at least 100W. This will get you by with most bands outside of really loud rock or metal. I prefer the Tech 21 sansamp bass DI. I have played with it alone in a blues & worship band context. As long as you do not boost the tone controls or drive to crazy most soundman will be able to get a good bass sound. Some people prefer the Aggie tone hammer and the are many more as well. It also depends on the monitors if you are using it alone. Most bands would want you to have some sort of amp that is why I said look at a used combo. A used combo & DI could be had for around $300.00 if you look around. Good luck & have fun.

[Darylt]

Last band I was in I didn't need an amp at all ... we went through headphones for rehearsals and a DI for shows into the pa with only the monitors for stage sound - worked well for us. We were playing hard rock type stuff .. depends on the band you hook up with I guess, if you can convince them to go the headphone route for rehearsals it forces you to be precise with your part - no room for sloppiness or mistakes as there is no place to hide..

[thedrones]

I always play direct into the system. As long as the venue has decent monitors then you should be fine. It's pretty great, all I have to bring to shows are my bass and a cable and I'm set.

[Muddslide]

Originally Posted by thedrones

I always play direct into the system. As long as the venue has decent monitors then you should be fine. It's pretty great, all I have to bring to shows are my bass and a cable and I'm set.

This is what I like to hear.

I may still try to get a smallish, say, 100w combo amp or something. Something affordable and easy to transport.

I'm a ways off from beingon stage again anyway. I can play pretty well,but I'm also chubby, ugly and 40-ish. Not exactly stage-pretty, but a lot of people won't care about that hopefully.

[Martin89]

I think you'd be fine with a small combo, a lot of them have XLR outs for DI anyways these days. I use a 60W amp all the time with no problems or I'll just plug right in. It really is an awesome thing, like somebody else said though, just don't over-tweak your own settings so the sound guy is fighting it. I usually run DI with my stuff pretty flat so the sound-guy can get what he wants, and then it's like I have EQ and Volume pedals on my bass for small adjustments in different mixes/songs.