Anyone using a DI box between their head and cab?

marklaforest · #1 07-27-2010, 07:26 PM

Hey there,

I've been using a Sanamp DI for years now, and it's been good to me. I've got a couple of great sounding tube amps that were built long before they thought of integrating DI's into heads and I haven't really had much fun with trying to mic them or convince sound guys that they should mic them and run a DI as well. I've been intrigued by the idea of running a DI from the speaker out of a head, but haven't really seen it done all that often or even really talked about. I was just wondering if anyone around here does it regularly and what their thoughts on it were before I drop a couple hundred on a DI to experiment with.

Thanks!

walker rosewood · #2 07-27-2010, 08:47 PM

be VERY careful with that. You need a special DI to do what your saying here, or you could fry your amp. In simple terms the head needs to see a load (resistance, in the form of a cab). There are devices called a 'loadbox' that will do this. Or you can try this...

http://www.radialeng.com/re-jdx.htm

...but you still need to have a cab connected at all times. Go to that link, and make sure you browse all the links on the left (intro, development, faqs). Particularly this:

Quote:

Q: Can I use the JDX without a speaker cabinet?
A: Not alone. You must use some sort of load box to absorb the energy coming from the head. Without a load of some sort, the JDX would overheat and explode and make a mess and because this would void your warranty, you will be upset for days!

Also, in the heads that have integrated DI's, the DI is ALWAYS before the power amp for this reason. Some have the option of being after the pre-amp, before the power amp, but most are before anything--- essentially the same as a DI on the floor before the head. Look at some manuals for different heads, they usually have block diagrams that show such signal flow.

You should do a lot of research on signal flow, Impedence (ohms), and DI's in general before attempting this.

OtterOnBass · #3 07-27-2010, 08:53 PM

You can run a DI from the Effects Output, but not the speaker out. The speaker out is high-power (enough to physically push your speakers) and will fry electronics.

MNAirHead · #4 07-27-2010, 09:49 PM

Countryman 85 check it out...

Sound man will then dork it to his preference (normally close to what a traditional DI would be).

marklaforest · #5 07-27-2010, 10:17 PM

Hey guys,

Thanks for the feedback. I'm well aware of signal paths and load requirements etc., just want to know if anyone's actually using this kind of set up on a regular basis for gigs, and what kind of results they're getting.

liquid-dream-ex · #6 07-28-2010, 05:08 AM

I'm using a Behringer DI100 to do this. The shop told me I needed to switch on both pad switches (-40) and i'd be fine.

I've only played live twice so far. One soundmen told me it sounded good, the other one said "if that's the sound you like..."

I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but I plugged it in the parallel out of the speaker, so I could still use the Speakon-cable between the amp and the Cab

coreyfyfe · #7 07-28-2010, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Countryman 85 check it out...

+1. High quality product. Works very well. Soundmen will smile when you whip it out.

TimmyP · #8 07-29-2010, 01:38 AM

I had a couple of DI100. It took a while for me to realize how lacking they were (in low end on bass, and in quality for acoustic guitar).

countrybassist · #9 08-14-2010, 07:09 PM

Yep. I use a Countryman 85

JimmyM · #10 08-15-2010, 12:07 AM

never saw this thread before...the jdx is a GUITAR di, not a bass di. i used to think it didn't matter till i got a hughes and kettner red box and discovered how much low end it cuts off...way too much for bass imho. type 85 or jdi/jdv are the way to go for speaker di'ing bass. used to do it, almost considered doing it again when i got my vt deluxe and decided to try di again, but running vtd to speaker di didn't seem to make much of a difference at all, so i just go out of the vtd.

marklaforest · #11 08-15-2010, 11:49 AM

That's kind of what I'm thinking too. The Sansamp DI that I'm using is great and really takes care of things. Usually puts a smile on the face of any sound guy too. Just seems like a waste to be carrying around my V4 just for stage sound.

rockstarbassist · #12 08-17-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

never saw this thread before...the jdx is a GUITAR di, not a bass di. i used to think it didn't matter till i got a hughes and kettner red box and discovered how much low end it cuts off...way too much for bass imho. type 85 or jdi/jdv are the way to go for speaker di'ing bass. used to do it, almost considered doing it again when i got my vt deluxe and decided to try di again, but running vtd to speaker di didn't seem to make much of a difference at all, so i just go out of the vtd.

So the JDI can take a speaker load also? I must have missed that, and I've had that box for years...