DI box ??????

Gaetano Paul · #1 04-01-2010, 10:39 PM

I am looking into buying a DI box. Does it matter what kind I get? I know about the ones with eq and such, but for just a clean, bypassed, no effects type DI would any old generic one work? The range for regular old Di's is $30- 300+ so I was thinking of getting like a $70 Proco or something?
I would get a sansamp or a metaphor but I also need to use it for guitar as well.

Basshappi · #2 04-01-2010, 10:42 PM

Look around for a used Countryman. They are an industry standard, super simple - just plug and play, and virtualy indestructable.

bongomania · #3 04-01-2010, 10:48 PM

Sansamps and Metaphors work fine on guitar. And yes, even a simple basic DI is good enough for most gigs. Yes the spendier ones have some nice qualities, but a Proco, Whirlwind, or dbx will work just fine.

Silent Fly · #4 04-02-2010, 02:02 AM

Unless you have a high-end bass and amp, for live applications, a generic DI is probably adequate. If you plan to use for recording as well, it might be worth investing in a good quality DI.

Gaetano Paul · #5 04-02-2010, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent Fly

Unless you have a high-end bass and amp, for live applications, a generic DI is probably adequate. If you plan to use for recording as well, it might be worth investing in a good quality DI.

Ok,
I am just wondering why though? What is the difference in a $30 whirlwind or a $200 radial?
Is there a difference, or is it buying the name?

Bongo,
If I got the metaphor I could plug my guitar rig, MFX amp simulator and everything, into that and use it as a DI?Would it taint my tone?
Are these and other DI like sans amp, Barber etc... true bypass?

Would the comp on the metaphor work just fine for guitar?

deekay911 · #6 04-02-2010, 08:36 AM

At last month's recording sessions, the studio guys preferred my Sansamp to the Radial JDI or Countryman they had in house. Some might say the tone was little coloured, but in a good way.

Gaetano Paul · #7 04-02-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deekay911

At last month's recording sessions, the studio guys preferred my Sansamp to the Radial JDI or Countryman they had in house. Some might say the tone was little coloured, but in a good way.

Yeah, this probably would not work for me because I am hoping that it will double for my guitar rig as well. But if I could get a nice DI with all the options of say the metaphor or sansamp but would work great for a guitar or bass, this would be ideal.

Anyone ever use the Metaphor as a DI for an electric guitar rig?

Silent Fly · #8 04-02-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaetano Paul

Ok,
I am just wondering why though? What is the difference in a $30 whirlwind or a $200 radial?
Is there a difference, or is it buying the name?(...)

As you can imagine is a little bit a problem for me comment about other companies' products (I think it also against the forum's rules).

I can only speak about what I produce. I'll give you some reasons (in no specific order). Good quality parts cost more than cheaper equivalents. European and USA workforce costs more than other countries’. Fixing the PCB to the enclosure with steel screws costs more than using adhesive plastic supports. Answering to customer adequately within 24 hours cost more than a call centre were people answer following a diagram. Cutting corners in the design costs less than follow all the little details you can think of. Reviewing the PCB design even 10 times until you are 100% convinced it is the best you can do costs more that use the fist version...

I could continue for pages but I'm sure you get the idea.