Active or passive DI?

[baileyboy]

Hey, I don't know much about amps, and electronics associated with sound systems, so I was hoping to get some assistance here...

I have an Ampeg B3 (SS, 150W, 115, 4 OHMS) that has DI capability already, so I know I can be put through a PA system. But I know nothing about how I would go about doing so. I don't know the difference between active and passive DI, what I would need to buy, etc. Assume I'm a 10 year old and you're explaining it to me. Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[mcapote]

the balanced out XLR on the back of your amp, plug it into a channel on your mixer, voila your connected.

[MNAirHead]

If this is for your gig bag (emergency or periodic use) .. passive.... (you can get a rolls DB25 for about $25.. same price arena as a whirlwind or Grove Tools

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If for going DI to a PA... commonly folks will use Active to "dial in their sound" It's at this juncture it's not cheap and tougher to find honest real answers from unbiased folks.. below you'll start seeing answers "I love my VT.... Sans Amp or nothing else... REDDI rocks" Many of these replies are pure BS as most folks only have a few to use as reference.

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I own about 20 DIs (including many of the ones that folks say you must have).. the reality is for live (not recording) the audience can't tell the difference...

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If you have access to a trained sound guy and some PA time.. it's worth plugging your existing on board into the PA and doing some experimentation and taking notes.

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IF just starting out in the "real world" having a pedal is nice to have just in case... my blanket recommendation is always a used MXR M80.... you can find them for about $65.. built tough.. can alter the tone settings.. tough as nails.. can buffer from phantom power... even has a silly distortion channel nobody uses.

If you're just looking for a cheap DI to get going.. a Rolls DB25 is way under the radar... and has a trim knob just incase an active bass (or keyboard etc) clips (distorts) the sound board.

[drdunwoody]

Yup, just use the XLR out on the amp as said. Some people also use a separate DI. I use one in my signal between my bass and amp and run to the board from it. When my Ampeg B2R overheated and shut down on stage, I was able to keep playing because the DI had my going through the PA. I use an active SansAMP bass driver. A lot of people like the Radial JDI for the passive units. The passive unit won't really give you tone shaping options, it is the sound of your bass. The active unit functions as a preamp giving you some control over the eq and such.