Recommend a good DI box?

[Tim1]

I have found the DI outputs on my SVT VR and Markbass SA450 amps to be adequate in most situations but my Orange AD200 does not have a DI so I am looking for a reasonably priced but good quality DI. Since I play all passive Fender basses my understanding is that it is preferable to use an active (powered) DI, and I don't always trust the quality of some of the generic boxes that sound engineers toss at me. And down here the art of mic'ing an amp seems to have been forgotten. I don't like sending a processed/modelled signal to the FOH desk a la BDDI and VT deluxe - I would prefer to send a pure signal since the sound guy is going to play with it anyway. I know there has been discussion on this before and I have read it, so am thinking a Radial JDX or Countryman at the moment - just checking really if I have missed anything or are there other options.

[bluesdogblues]

I think REDDI has many fans here.. Also AVALON U5 is a good one too.. Or Radial you mention... Good item has 'it's price' tho

[1954bassman]

Right now, I am liking, and using: Eden WTDI and a BBE D100X

[stflbn]

Good for "live" or good for "recording".

For "live" you can even go with budget DI's like IMP2, etc and still get by fine. Just depends what your preferences and expectations of 'fine' are.

[Rockmusician]

I find that when I run direct out of the head I sometimes get noise. I bought an inexpensive DOD DI for about $60 that works fine.

[svtb15]

The REDDI is my favorite by far.. But a great inexpensive PRO level DI that fits in your gig bag would be a Countryman Type 85 FET DI....

[georgestrings]

I used a Radial JDI for a year or two with excellent results, am currently using a Countryman with excellent results, and have gotten just as good of performance out of Radial's J48...

I personally prefer the Countryman because it sounds great with all my basses, whereas the JDI didn't work that great with a couple of my passives... I also prefer the Countryman over the J48 because of it's 9v power option, but that's hardly a deal breaker - all 3 are great DIs, and considered industry standards for good reason...


- georgestrings

[fleabee]

Countryman Type 85 =cheap,reliable,durable and sounds good. That's my experience at least. If you have the extra $$ I would go for the Avalon U5. I kick myself for selling mine.

[bluesdogblues]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Good for "live" or good for "recording".

For "live" you can even go with budget DI's like IMP2, etc and still get by fine. Just depends what your preferences and expectations of 'fine' are.

In my experience, if recording, I just plug it to my interface, that's the best IMO, and if in the 'proper' studio they ussualy have some excellent mic pre that I love to plug into (usually it's an Avalon VT737 SP in my case).. And I can 're-amp' the basstrack anytime if needed but very rarely...
So in my case the good DI works in the live/stage situation.

But that's me.

[smcbass]

Attached is a spreadsheet about DI boxes that I did recently. It doesn't list every DI box out there, but it may be helpful to you. All the specs are from the manufacturers. Prices are usually "street" prices. I've also collected a lot of PDFs about the boxes from the manufacturer which I can email to you if you like. It's a work in progress. Hope this is helpful. Sorry, it doesn't tell you the best DI box for metal.

[coreyfyfe]

I like the countryman type 85. Solid as a rock, decent price, clear sound. Plus it does speaker and line inputs, so you have some flexibility.

[lowfreqgeek]

The JDI sounds GREAT with passive (Fender) basses, unless you're going for some sort of super bright aggressive tone. Yes, it will load the pickups a little, but I've never had a passive bass NOT sit well in the mix through a JDI. No need for batteries/phantom power, and it's nearly indestructible. The downside is that it requires a pretty clean preamp on the other end as you lose about 22dB through the Jensen xfmr. Otherwise, the mic-pre's noise starts to become an issue. No problem on a "good" console.

I've had and very much miss an Avalon U5, and I currently have and enjoy a GT Brick and Aguilar DB900. In one particular ampless venue I play, the house engineer prefers my DB900 to the house Countryman Type 85s. Except he has to remember to bump the gain by the 22dB lost through the xfmr (the same Jensen used in the JDI).

My next DI for live use will probably be a Radial J48 for it's unity gain (or is it +6db?) and ability to run off phantom power with the ground lifted.

[Blues Bass 2]

Countryman type 85 for me too . It costs a bit but is built like a tank and sounds great . It's an older design but a great one .

[basswave]

Originally Posted by lowfreqgeek

My next DI for live use will probably be a Radial J48 for it's unity gain (or is it +6db?) and ability to run off phantom power with the ground lifted.

You might want to look at the JDV.
I use the JDI on occasion (more for the different flavor then anything else) I take my JDI everywhere but use the JDV more live.

[baileyboy]

Radial J48 rules! Great for both active and passive.

[lowfreqgeek]

Originally Posted by basswave

You might want to look at the JDV.
I use the JDI on occasion (more for the different flavor then anything else) I take my JDI everywhere but use the JDV more live.

I've tried the JDV and it was one of my favorites (despite me not having it...). I would love to get one, but I also like the idea of not requiring external power.

I know!!! I need a couple of each!

[mothra2]

Originally Posted by svtb15

The REDDI is my favorite by far.. But a great inexpensive PRO level DI that fits in your gig bag would be a Countryman Type 85 FET DI....

+1 for either of the above.

[Timi]

I really like those DI boxes that you put on a stand in front of the cab to capture the sound of your tube rig and speakers.

[pgk]

radial jdi passive. essentially a jensen tranny in an indestructible box with a few nice bells and whistles thrown in for good measure.

[Phalex]

I love my Countryman Type 85. Love it! Love. It.