Choosing a passive DI Box

[dannybuoy]

Right then, I've convinced myself that it's a good idea to get a VT Bass pedal and combine it with a passive DI for ampless gigs. In between those I will be using a Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai, so I'm thinking it would be nice to utilise the stereo outs and go with a stereo DI box.

At the top of the pile is the Radial JDI duplex, which costs way too much. The Radial ProD2 is a lot cheaper, still more than I would like to spend, but I could stretch to it.

There are other cheap ones out there I've found, like the Art DPDB and the Samson S Direct Plus, but it's hard to find reviews on them.

Question is, will I be able to hear the difference between a cheap DI and once that costs 5 times as much? How does Radial ProDI/ProD2 compare to the JDI and the cheaper ones?

Thanks in advance, hopefully there's a few people out there who have tried and compared these boxes!

[RickenBoogie]

Although I have minimal expirience, I can tell you that a DI box is one thing I wouldn't skimp on. Think of it as your only link between you and your bass out to the rest of the world. A good DI is akin to a good amp, it can make you sound like you want to, vs. what you don't.

[bassman1185]

My advise is not to worry about the stereo function unless you're really doing some trippy, ambient stuff. In a live situation, stereo mixing is almost irrelevant. It will only really sound good to the 10-20 percent of people right in the middle of the audience, and everyone else's mix will be weird.

[dream_bass]

cand anyone sugest some di-box pedals ? are diferencies between an mxr di box or sansamp and an regular pasive di box ?
cheers

[bongomania]

A regular DI has no tone-shaping features (EQ, distortion), while the Sansamp and MXR have loads of tone shaping features. Passive devices require no power; active devices require power; the Sansamp and MXR are active.

[dannybuoy]

Thread question is now over anyway since I've bought Bongo's JDI!

[nemo]

Excellent choice!