D.I. mounted on Pedalboard

ccouch7 · #1 05-20-2009, 06:29 AM

I was thinking of mounting a Direct Box (Switchcraft sc800)
on my pedalboard and putting all my pedals before it.

Bass > Effects pedals > Direct box 1/4 out > Amp.
> Direct box XLR out > PA.

When I look thru the bass pedalboard threads I never see
D.I. box's on pedalboards, except preamp di combo's like
SansAmp, MXR, ect.....

Has anyone tried this? and do you think it would work ok?
I use my pedalboard for recording and live work.

DanFold · #2 05-20-2009, 06:45 AM

I have a D.I box right after my tuner... before my effects. So i have a clean signal going through at all times, then my Pedals go through the house D.I. and into my amp and i get a mic on my cab. But yeah, it's handy to have on... everything is already set up then so you can set up dead quick and spend more time laughing at the drummer struggling!

icarussmicarus · #3 05-20-2009, 06:47 AM

There's nothing stopping you assuming you let the sound guy know where the DI is.

I've seen this on a number of boards, particularly the Radial JDI for some reason. They pop up more in the pedalboard of the stars thread though since those cats gig alot more than most.

The Lurker · #4 05-20-2009, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccouch7

I was thinking of mounting a Direct Box (Switchcraft sc800)
on my pedalboard and putting all my pedals before it.

Bass > Effects pedals > Direct box 1/4 out > Amp.
> Direct box XLR out > PA.

When I look thru the bass pedalboard threads I never see
D.I. box's on pedalboards, except preamp di combo's like
SansAmp, MXR, ect.....

Has anyone tried this? and do you think it would work ok?
I use my pedalboard for recording and live work.

Most of us use the preamp DIs because even if we don't use it as a preamp, it's still ..."hey, it's a preamp too!" just in case we need one. Some of the tone-shaping stuff comes in very useful too (analogous to taking a DI off of an amp), since a regular DI leaves you somewhat at the mercy of the soundman.

tnscot60 · #5 05-20-2009, 01:06 PM

My opinion based on my experience:

If your gig is big enough to need your signal going throught the board, then you should put your DI after the pedals. That leaves very little room for the alteration of your sound. In the very least, you know that the source of the signal that you are sending to the board is exactly what you want it to be.

I never send a dry signal to any board unless its in the studio.

JimmyM · #6 05-20-2009, 01:18 PM

I always run effects before the DI, but I don't put it on the pedalboard because they never run a long enough mic cable for me to do so. So I just put it on or by the amp.

Ebelow · #7 05-20-2009, 05:27 PM

My JDI is on the board,

after some color (fx) and/or tube-amp emulation (vt bass), or just dry signal depends on the song, but only at no-amp gig, or home practice with a separate headphone-amp, if there is an amp gig than JDI goes after my cab plugged in to the speaker parallel out to get my Mesa amp&cab color in to it, and tube/amp simulation (vt bass) is OFF on the board.
My band using in-ear monitoring in every situation, and I have to tell, I like my tone all the time. So the JDI is on the board most of the time, but not permanent, no velcro on it

Lindsay · #8 05-21-2009, 02:39 AM

My JDI is also on my board:

If I'm using an amp with a good built-in DI (Demeter VTBP-201s) the sound guy can choose which DI to use on the basis of convenience but if I'm using a backline amp or my small amp I go through the JDI on my board.

If the balanced cable to the desk doesn't reach my board I, just pull the DI off - it simply means a longer cable between the compressor and the DI and a shorter one between the DI and amp. No biggie.

TheBassBloke · #9 05-21-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay

My JDI is also on my board:

If I'm using an amp with a good built-in DI (Demeter VTBP-201s) the sound guy can choose which DI to use on the basis of convenience but if I'm using a backline amp or my small amp I go through the JDI on my board.

If the balanced cable to the desk doesn't reach my board I, just pull the DI off - it simply means a longer cable between the compressor and the DI and a shorter one between the DI and amp. No biggie.

hey Mate,

you've got some gorgeous pedals here, like, an amazing collection!!! I've got the Deep Impact and the mutron atm, but why cheap out on the octaver? I personally cant stand the Boss octaver thingo. I just bought a Mutron Octave Divider, i'm looking forward to seeing what its like. Cheers mate,
Alex

fishtx · #10 05-21-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I always run effects before the DI, but I don't put it on the pedalboard because they never run a long enough mic cable for me to do so. So I just put it on or by the amp.

I used to have a DI on my board, and had a custom snake made with an XLR and a couple of standard 1/4 cables all in one...but I've changed things around and "shrank" the board I use now, so the DI has been removed.

I still carry it with me, but a lot of the time I just use the DI in the amp.

**grygrx** · #11 05-21-2009, 08:10 AM

I don't mount mine, but I toss it on as needed! Post-effects usually

Jazzdogg · #12 05-21-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccouch7

I was thinking of mounting a Direct Box (Switchcraft sc800)
on my pedalboard and putting all my pedals before it.

Bass > Effects pedals > Direct box 1/4 out > Amp.
> Direct box XLR out > PA.

When I look thru the bass pedalboard threads I never see
D.I. box's on pedalboards, except preamp di combo's like
SansAmp, MXR, ect.....

Has anyone tried this? and do you think it would work ok?
I use my pedalboard for recording and live work.

Please tell us more about the Switchcraft DI. Is it passive or active? How's it sound? How do you like it? What's it cost?

ccouch7 · #13 05-21-2009, 02:10 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to try it out.

Quote:

Please tell us more about the Switchcraft DI. Is it passive or active? How's it sound? How do you like it? What's it cost?

I haven't ordered the new Switchcraft D.I. yet, it's passive
and has a Jensen transformer and goes for around $200.00.
I like it mostly because it has a 1/4" and XLR output on the
back of the unit which I need/want for my pedalboard.
When I get it I'll let you all know how it works out.

Oh and this active BBE D.I. looks pretty cool too.

a_magg · #14 05-21-2009, 08:44 PM

I've actually been plotting to put a DI on my board... Well, under actually.

I only have a Pedaltrain JR., so space is a premium... I'm planning on moving the Voodoo Labs PP2+ underneath to the right side (then I can still plug in the industrial 3-prong outlet), then velcroing the DI to the underside on the left.

Its a work-in-progess, but I'll post pics when I get it done

coreyfyfe · #15 05-21-2009, 09:05 PM

I keep my DI separate, mostly because I put it between my head and cab so putting it on my pedal board would mean a whole lot of long cables (or standing on top of my head), but also because I don't want the sound coming directly off my board going to the house. I like a little tone shaping to calm down some of the effects. Preferentially, I'd like to have a mic on my cab, but things don't usually work out like that for me, and until I buy my own, it's the countryman for me!

Lindsay · #16 05-22-2009, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBassBloke

hey Mate,

you've got some gorgeous pedals here, like, an amazing collection!!! I've got the Deep Impact and the mutron atm, but why cheap out on the octaver? I personally cant stand the Boss octaver thingo. I just bought a Mutron Octave Divider, i'm looking forward to seeing what its like. Cheers mate,
Alex

Thanks. The Boss OC-2 ROCKS

I don't have a Mu-tron Octave Divider but I'd like to try one out. I have several other octavers but the OC-2 just does it for me. In all it's synthy, glitchy glory.

I've had mine since the 80's.

bongomania · #17 05-22-2009, 02:31 AM

A lot of people prefer the tone of the OC-2 to the newer "boutique" octavers. That is a sweet setup there, I can dig it.

TheBassBloke · #18 05-22-2009, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay

Thanks. The Boss OC-2 ROCKS

I don't have a Mu-tron Octave Divider but I'd like to try one out. I have several other octavers but the OC-2 just does it for me. In all it's synthy, glitchy glory.

I've had mine since the 80's.

Ahh thats sick as. Yeah I should really give the OC-2 another try. If you're ever in Sydney i'll let you give my MuTron OD a go :P

ccouch7 · #19 05-22-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

I've actually been plotting to put a DI on my board... Well, under actually.

Its a work-in-progess, but I'll post pics when I get it done

Hey a_magg, I'd definatly like to see pictures of your pedalboard with a D.I. when you get it set up.
I ordered the Switchcraft D.I. today, and when I get it, and get it set up, I'll post some pics of my pedalboard here too.

As a matter of fact, if anyone else has a D.I. on thier board, I'd sure like to see some pics
to see how everyone else does it and for ideas -Thanks.

I've also had my OC-2 since the 80's, it was my first pedal and I still really like it.
It's still on my board.

ccouch7 · #20 06-07-2009, 07:22 PM

Man, I can't believe the huge difference this D.I. made on my pedalboard!
I plugged the XLR out of the D.I. into the XLR input of the audio interface of my computer recording rig -
(as I've done so many times before using either 1/4" or XLR or both) and really could'nt believe how much
cleaner and pristine and totally noiseless it is compared to my -
"LINE6 Basspod Pro" or my "TECH21 BDDI deluxe" or my cheap old "DOD 260 d.i."
I'm sure any high quality D.I. with a Jenson transformer would give similar results.
But man it does sound alot better!!