What a great but decently priced D.I?

Ian the bassist · #1 02-05-2011, 09:49 AM

Do any of youncarry your own D.I's to gigs? I was looking into getting my own for gigs. Also I have an active bass and this has a pre-amp in it (as do all active basses). Is there a way to run it to the desk with out a D.I?(Since it's a preamp instead of connecting it to another preamp to get it into the desk like) Might sound like a foolish question that one but am just curious. I heard sans amps are good. But what do you guys carry(If you carry your own D.I at all)
Cheers
Ian

M0ses · #2 02-05-2011, 09:52 AM

If it's a passive bass, you can use either an active or passive DI. The sansamp is a very popular choice, although I dislike it's coloration. A Radial passive DI might interest you, but I don't think it makes sense to ignore active DI's simply because your bass is also active. Both types have good and bad points and models.

RickenBoogie · #3 02-05-2011, 09:52 AM

MXR M-80. Great little inexpensive box.

prd004 · #4 02-05-2011, 09:59 AM

Active DI's are better for sending the signal through long cable feeds without signal degradation.

I keep a Radial J48 on my pedalboard, you never know when you'll need it!

superdick2112 · #5 02-05-2011, 10:01 AM

+ 1 on the MXR box, but I no longer use mine - I use the line out (post EQ & FX) on my PJB M-500 or my SWR Headlite. I ask the soundman (if we have to use the house soundman - our own soundman already does this) to set my PA channel flat, as I already have "my sound" coming from the amp line out, then he can do minor tweaks as needed.

allexcosta · #6 02-05-2011, 10:04 AM

If it's bang for the buck you can't beat EWI:

http://www.audiopile.net/products/DI...DI_Boxes.shtml

If you need a Jensen inside and can hear the difference, get a Radial JDI.

StereoPlayer · #7 02-05-2011, 10:05 AM

I have DI's in 4 of my amps. In the 44+ yrs of playing I have NEVER used them! Any show that required a PA hookup the soundman used Mics.

I really don't know why. but never use them.

georgestrings · #8 02-05-2011, 10:08 AM

JDI for passive, Countryman or J48 for active... I used to have the JDI, which was great with my actives, but only so-so with some of my passives... I currently have the Countryman, and it sounds great with all my basses, including my actives...

- georgestrings

JazznFunk · #9 02-05-2011, 10:18 AM

I'm adding to the 'broken record' feel of this thread, but I say either a Countryman Type 85 or Radial JDI (J48 if you HAVE to have active). I own a Countryman Type 85 that I like for either passive basses OR for a super-clean feed to the board with my actives. I find the Countryman has a little more forward-leaning sound to the midrange as well. Normally, since I play active basses through at least one additional external preamp, I use my Radial JDI (passive) 95% of the time. I find that the JDI has a really warm sound that makes active basses sound even better straight to the board. The biggest selling point for the Countryman as a 'one stop shop' is that it can run off a 9V internal battery OR 48v phantom power. Either way you go, don't go cheap on your DI. There are lots of cheap ones out there that sound... well... CHEAP. My backup/last resort DI is the Whirlwind IMP-2. Lots of fellow bassists swear by this little guy as the cheapest 'real' DI to have. I concur.