Is MXR DI+ the Best Value?

MNAirHead · #1 05-30-2009, 02:48 PM

Hello.

I played a SansAmp and MXR direcly next to eachother on the same PA at the same time.

For some nutty reason, the MXR sounded fuller. (and was $100 less)

I'm always leary of Behringer stuff (dependability and "breaking down on sound").

Current Setup is going Active Bass => Passive DI => PA/Rolls PM351 (hard wired monitor)

I"m unsure if the MXR is worth it over the Groove Tubes Passive DI.. I"m well aware the bass provided signal is the most important... I'm always concerned about adding more batteries and complication.

I'm not one into name love etc... looking for real hindsight advice.

Thank you.

Tim

PS - we are not using the Rolls DI as we received a distorted signal out to the board.

gregoire1 · #2 05-31-2009, 05:42 PM

I don't own either but have tried the MXR M-80 in the store. I'm leaning towards it for the same reasons. Cheaper, sounds great, and gets good reviews here. I've never tried the Sansamp.

MNAirHead · #3 06-01-2009, 12:41 PM

The MXR was physically heavier.. did have a few more options..

Still confused if it's must me or if I did something wrong ---- it sounded fuller than a Sansamp.

Played it yesteraday at a Church session.. was great... it was on loan from a store.

We're trying a Radial DI box next.. I'm not a fan of batteries and power in stuff that is a permanent setup.

Any other suggestions? Anyone tried the Beringer?

Jumbotron · #4 06-01-2009, 02:01 PM

The MXR is very good value. Sounds nice, will take a serious whipping (I gigged with one for 5 years or so), and will even accept phantom power if you don't want to deal with the battery. I think you should go for it.

Jazzdogg · #5 06-01-2009, 02:19 PM

If you're playing an active bass, and you don't need the distortion provided by the MXR, you might want to consider a Radial JDI - they provide studio quality output and they're tough enough for life on the road.

fenderx55 · #6 06-01-2009, 03:57 PM

I have both a passive JDI and I had the MXR di. I used the MXR for a bunch of recording stuff for school plus demoing, only used it as a live DI once because the places I was playing usually had something sitting on top of the amp, so it just made sense to use theirs.

I was mostly using the MXR for it's pretty solid distortion tone (it's blendable, which is amazing) and to supplement my hartke cab with a thicker sound. Once I moved up to a LMII I found myself using it less and less so I sold it in favor of a dedicated distortion box. Now that I only have the JDI I wish that I had that tone shaping capability, but to balance it out I now have an active bass so I guess it's balanced.

Basically, you can't go wrong either way. The JDI is a brick ****house that you can't break, the MXR is pretty rugged and gives you options. I've answered few questions for you here, but it really depends on what you need. Also, I picked up the JDI for a steal here on the classifieds.

Also, I tried out a sansamp but for w/e reason didn't like the tone; I think I wasn't happy where they set the Highs. On the other hand, I just got a VT bass and love it. No balanced out though.

MNAirHead · #7 06-01-2009, 04:17 PM

Thank you for your opinions and guideance.