Are there any situations where you MUST use a DI box?

Lord Trau · #1 09-28-2009, 11:07 PM

I see a whole lot of you folks are very big on boxes with DI capabilities. I've never had a need for one at this point, but I was wondering if I should keep the one I have just in case there is a situation where it is absolutely required.

bongomania · #2 09-28-2009, 11:15 PM

If your amp doesn't have a DI output built in, or if it does have one but the amp craps out at the gig, in either of those cases you'd be very glad you had a DI box in your kit bag.

seanm · #3 09-28-2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

If your amp doesn't have a DI output built in, or if it does have one but the amp craps out at the gig, in either of those cases you'd be very glad you had a DI box in your kit bag.

+1 You either have to carry a spare amp and cabs, a pain at the best of times, or a DI in your gig bag. Easy choice IMHO

Lord Trau · #4 09-29-2009, 12:08 AM

Thanks, guys. I plan on getting a Sansamp VT pedal, but I'll keep my MXR M-80 around too. Not like the distortion will be redundant, anyway, since the VT is overdrive.

JimmyM · #5 09-29-2009, 12:36 AM

VT can also do clean Ampeg tones. Having said that, I use it for an overdrive 99% of the time. But definitely keep a DI...it's the most common way of putting the bass into the PA. You can also mic your amp, which I love to do, but a DI is more convenient and quick to set up.

Austicoatk · #6 10-13-2009, 10:43 AM

I just bought a SansAmp Bass Driver DI to provide a DI solution and something for tone shaping. The impetus for the purchase was the last gig I played where the acoustics exacerbated stage volume to the point where I couldn't hear myself play. Getting rid of your amp and going direct is one way to reduce stage volume (and of course, when you're keying on low frequences, things become even more challenging to hear). We use wireless IEMs.

jaywa · #7 10-13-2009, 06:25 PM

I would never play a gig without my SansAmp BDDI. Like JimmyM, I use mine more as a pre-amp / tone "warmer" than a DI per se but it's good to know that if things go down we can still plug my BDDI into the board and get a much better sound than out of the very mediocre DI boxes that are in lots of sound guys' arsenals.

TundraBooking · #8 10-16-2009, 06:44 PM

I use it to power a stage monitor mix so I don't feedback. I like to hear myself.

Passinwind · #9 10-16-2009, 06:49 PM

Virtually every festival gig I've ever played required that I use a DI. And virtually every one supplied said DI as well.

jaywa · #10 10-16-2009, 08:10 PM

If I'm playing gigs where they demand I use their DI, I say "fine" and then when they're not looking I insert my BDDI in-line in front of their DI. So I know my warm shaped tone will still be getting to the board even through their crappy DI.

Munjibunga · #11 10-17-2009, 12:52 AM

You must use one if I say so. PM me before your gigs, and I'll let you know.

Jack · #12 10-18-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Trau

Thanks, guys. I plan on getting a Sansamp VT pedal, but I'll keep my MXR M-80 around too. Not like the distortion will be redundant, anyway, since the VT is overdrive.

Doesn't the MXR have a DI out? Mine does.

But yes, a DI box of any description is very useful, a tone-shaping preampy one like the Sansamp or my beloved M80 has a multitude of other uses.