Best DI box for live sound? Bass - DI - PA

[lovejazz]

Hi,
i will play on a lot of gigs next many months and because of it i will travel lot! I can't use my amp and cabinets.
I need DI box for best bass tone. I'll use only bass, compressor, di box. I don't use overdrive or distortion...
I only need di box for best bass clean tone on my gigs!!
Which is best?

ebs microbass, aguilar, tech21 etc........

any idea?
Thanks for answers
PEACE


edit:
I have Boss GT 6B too... it has XLR. Do you think gt6B will be good or e.g sansamp will be more better?

[bwv1013]

i'm a huge fan of the Tech 21 products. I own the VT pedal and it's the best option for sounding like a fat tubey amp without actually using an amp. one possible downfall is it only has one output, but if you're only going straight to a board it should be fine. if you need an XLR as well as 1/4 out, the Tech 21 programmable DI is the way to go. for an extra 10 bucks (over the standard model) you get 3 programmable channels which can recall settings instantly. i use one of these for my church gig, it warmed up a crappy backline amp and gets nothing but compliments from people out in front.

[spiker]

Howdy,
I get great tones from my Sansamp Programmable DI when recording / plugging in direct live. The advantages are:
* 3 different tones, including Ampeg-style tone which caters for 80% of songs (i also use a vintage motown tone and a mild overdrive for the other 2 channels)
* XLR input included
* Phantom power (no batteries needed if plugging into phantom powered mixer / pa)
* Same price as Vt bass (which doesn't have xlr) and most other DI's, with 2 extra tones at a foot tap away
* You can hear me on the following link using my Sansamp for a live recording with the Ampeg-like tube setting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBqZocyEuns

Hope this helps
Spikedaddy

[basslinejam]

I'd say check out the Radial Bassbone. It has an effects loop for your compressor and EQ on two channels. Serious, pro piece of gear.

Other good options that have balanced XLR output:
Radial JDI or JDV (Direct Box only)
Aquilar Tone Hammer
MXR M-80
Sadowsky Preamp/DI

You really can't go wrong with these or any of the suggested Tech 21 units, which are also really good.

[lovejazz]

Thank you very much guys for answer!

spiker: Thanks for video


I probably buy programmable sansamp, maybe sansamp deluxe... But EBS microbass looks great too..
Any experience with EBS microbass 2 sound?

Thanks

[PDavyduck]

for great musical DIs you can't go wrong with a Radial JDI // J48 // JDV DIs or CableFactory DI.

Massively great sounding and very road worthy.

but if you are looking for some tone/pre-amp options then check out the BassBone as mentioned or a Phil Jones BassBuddy. Also, my Hartke BassAttack has been " 'round the world" and delivered far more than the price tag would make you think. It's by far the most affordable solution on the market and sounds great.

[thebean]

I use a sansamp BDDI for all of my DI live and I've gotten nothing but compliments from sound guys and fellow bassist about my tone out in the crowd. Which is a really good feeling knowing I sound good no matter where I play.

[Silent Fly]

I think a lot depends on the budget you have available.

The Sansamp BDDI is a good pedal but I believe it cuts part of the midrange regardless the knobs positions. Having said that, if this is what you are looking for it might be a good choice.

[thebean]

Originally Posted by Silent Fly

I think a lot depends on the budget you have available.

The Sansamp BDDI is a good pedal but I believe it cuts part of the midrange regardless the knobs positions. Having said that, if this is what you are looking for it might be a good choice.

I can agree with the mids being cut. Thats part of the reason I'm not 100% happy with it. I'm probably going to pick up the paradriver or a tonehammer so i can have more control over my mids.

[lovejazz]

I have EBS TD650 and 810 neo...
Microbass owners... Does EBS microbass sound like EBS head ?
I think about Sansamp programmable and microbass at this time.. I really don't know, which is better for me.

[spiker]

Everyone whinges about the Sansamp Di's not having control over mids because it doesn't have a mid knob, when in fact it's full of mids! Read below from Sansamp PBDDI Instruction:

Adjusting Mid-Range Content: The mid-range level is preset. Boosting Bass and Treble yields a “mid-cut” (at 750 Hz) where the relative mid-range level is lower than the Bass and Treble frequency levels. Cutting Bass and Treble yields a “mid-boost” (at 750 Hz) where the relative mid-range level is higher than the Bass and Treble frequency levels.

* My advice is to go into a store and line them up and try them. Personally for me i love the Programmable DI as i play so many different styles in the 3 bands i play in and need the different tone settings preset so i'm not knob-twiddling before every song. But, if you want to stick to one sound then consider the VT bass or the microbass, acfter trying them all out of course, or check out sound samples on Youtube and don't be scared to make an asthetic judgement...

[gastric]

Why wouldn't you just use your BOSS GT-6B? Has preamps, cabs, EQ, effects (including compressors), and mono or stereo 1/4" and XLR outs. 1 simple box that can do it all for you.

[lovejazz]

Originally Posted by gastric

Why wouldn't you just use your BOSS GT-6B? Has preamps, cabs, EQ, effects (including compressors), and mono or stereo 1/4" and XLR outs. 1 simple box that can do it all for you.

Thanks for message.. BUT

I absolutely have no experience with playing on stage without my TD 650 and 810neo... I've never played without amp and cab to PA. And I ask you.. Do you think GT6B sounds good, if i'll play only: BASS - GT 6B - PA ???
BTW.. I have compressors- DBX 160A and EBS Multicomp.. Compressors on GT6B are bad.
Iam not sure GT6B can give me great proffesional bass sound, if I don't use amp. I think that Programmable Sansamp can me bring this sound...



1) Buy TECH 21 SANSAMP PROGRAMMABLE DI

2) Buy EBS Microbass

3) Don't buy DI and play by GT 6B



I think 1) Will be best...

What do you think?

Thanks for your COMMENTS !!!

[droskobass]

+1 On the Radial DIs great sounding boxes that work as well live as in the studio. If you have an active bass then Get the Passive DI. It has the most headroom and just sounds great.

[OrionManMatt]

Considering you already use (and seem to love) EBS gear ... stick with the Microbass.

[Han Solo]

MXR Bass DI+

I thinks there's merits to owning effects pedals by the same manufacturer, given that they often test them to work with each other, kind of like amps and speakers. But I still back the MXR Bass DI+ anyday. You'll see it pop up at even some of the larger live shows quite often and its mostly inexpensive, well made and straight forward to use.

The '+' is its distorion channel, even though you say you want to play clean, dirty channels aren't always used to get a dirty sound. I find a sprinkling of dirt to be helpful in balancing a rooms EQ. When it comes to live sound, we bass players can sometimes really spoil it for everyone else due to boomyness or inauidibility (sometimes both depending what part of the place an onlooker is situated). I use a bit of dirt to create an edge to my tone so that it can penertrate the mix with more clarity. Or don't use it at all, it still sounds good.

One downside though, its 'colour' setting switches on a 'pre-set EQ tailored specifically for bass' or some kind of rubbish. These sorts of grand sweeping general statements on what the single optimum EQ for all of us is overreaching in my opinion. But having said that, the colour setting works for me.

[tsunami1052]

DI's with tone shaping (EQ):

1. Aguilar Tone Hammer
2. Sadowsky Preamp/DI

Direct Box Only:
Countryman Type 85

[lovejazz]

interesting ideas guys