DI with a high-cut filter?

nad · #1 08-07-2009, 04:11 AM

This might be a stupid question, but I've searched many times and never seen it answered. Is there a DI out there that can safely kill the frequencies that would go through a tweeter or horn? When I play through my amp, I turn off the tweeter but do crank the treble EQ sometimes. I like that sort of muted bite it gives, and this also works extremely well with all the friggin' dirt boxes I use. Any way to send this type of signal to FOH? Other than a mic'd cabinet of course, which as many know isn't exactly the easiest mission to convince soundpeople to engage themselves upon.

Note: I know of the Avalon (too expensive), Behringer (too stupid), and VT Bass (no XLR) that have this high-cut filter/feature/whatever, but unfortunately those are out for the reasons stated within the parenthetical excuses as seen earlier in this convenient sentence-type thing. Also, I may be overlooking the possibility that the usual Sansamp/MXR/Radial can easily do what I want just by turning down the treble knob, and if so, I would appreciate being called out for such foolishness as warranted.

Cheers, etc.

Silent Fly · #2 08-07-2009, 04:30 AM

Adding hi-cut filter to a DI shouldn't be a major problem.

If you don't want mod a DI, you can build a little box with XLR in/out with a passive filter inside. If you need the schematics send me a PM I should be able to put together something for you.

Alternately, if you like the sound of the VT Bass you can buy it and add a simple DI after the pedal.

Ba55Man1ac · #3 08-07-2009, 10:20 AM

Pretty much all the Sansamp stuff has a 5k 'speaker sim' rolloff. You could always pull more out as well. I use & recommend the Para Driver DI.

bigchiefbc · #4 08-07-2009, 10:47 AM

If the Markbass pedals ever actually come out, the Super Booster has a DI, and a VLE knob that rolls off the highs.

bassman1185 · #5 08-07-2009, 10:57 AM

I believe that DBX makes a pair of DI boxes (One passive, one active) that have a high-frequency rolloff switch. They're supposed to sound pretty good too.

nad · #6 08-07-2009, 11:55 AM

Cheers and stuff, good info all around.

Didn't even know about the speaker simulation with Sansamp, somehow I missed that as it stared me in the face via their usermanuals. I'm assuming the Para Driver doesn't suffer the typical mid-scoop of the Bass Driver? I don't give a flying fook about t00b simulation or any such nonsense so I've always avoided Sansamp stuff in the past, perhaps I have done so mistakenly. I'm looking for my original signal to stay mostly intact, just want to add that high treble cut thing to the whole shebang.

Or maybe I should just keep on keepin' on, I've never really been that unhappy with my tone through PA systems (as long as I am audible), and it's not like anyone besides myself would be able to tell the difference anyhow.

Passinwind · #7 08-07-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nad

Or maybe I should just keep on keepin' on, I've never really been that unhappy with my tone through PA systems (as long as I am audible), and it's not like anyone besides myself would be able to tell the difference anyhow.

What's wrong with the EQ on your board? Every one I mix on has a perfectly viable treble control.

nad · #8 08-07-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

What's wrong with the EQ on your board? Every one I mix on has a perfectly viable treble control.

Exactly. I used a pretty wild octave fuzz a week or so ago through FOH and was complimented on my tone, so I know the sound dude definitely rolled off a bit o' treble for me.

Still going to archive the advice received for possible future use though. Thanks to all, and to others that may respond later. Whenever someone wants to talk about Gobots v. Transformers again, have at you!

SpankyPants · #9 08-07-2009, 05:32 PM

I demo'd and compared the JDI to the JDX, made to go between tube heads and cabs, and the JDX's speaker emulation really smoothed it out compared to the JDI.

I guess that's not helpful at all unless you're using a tube amp...

bongomania · #10 08-07-2009, 06:52 PM

May be overkill, but the Carl Martin Para EQ/Pre would do the job perfectly.

I also think any regular DI box with a Stellartone Tone Styler kluged into the input stage would be an awesome solution.

Jazzdogg · #11 08-07-2009, 09:23 PM

As long as your amp isn't putting out more than 1,000 watts, you can use a Countryman type 85 DI between your amp and cabinet, but this will only produce the solution you seek if you cut your amp's HF first.

dannybuoy · #12 08-07-2009, 10:57 PM

Spanky mentioned the Radial JDX, there's also the H&K Red Box - they are both intended for use between your amp and speakers but they can probably take a regular line level signal also. That Markbass VLE DI should be out soon, someone round here has already got their hands on the compressor!

nad · #13 08-08-2009, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I also think any regular DI box with a Stellartone Tone Styler kluged into the input stage would be an awesome solution.

That looks pretty awesome, never heard of that one before. Thanks.

dannybuoy · #14 08-08-2009, 03:45 AM

The markbass one is in stock at Thomann!

http://www.thomann.de/be/mark_bass_b...c6c99abcd78b2c

Just a shame it looks like one of these:

gillento · #15 08-08-2009, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpankyPants

I demo'd and compared the JDI to the JDX, made to go between tube heads and cabs, and the JDX's speaker emulation really smoothed it out compared to the JDI.

I guess that's not helpful at all unless you're using a tube amp...

The JDI Mark3 has a hi-cut filter, too.
Did you try it?

gnasher1993 · #16 08-08-2009, 12:30 PM

Both of Dave Hall's new DIs/preamps have got 3 band EQ with selectable mid sweep (a Q knob). I've ordered the DI-EQ, it should be here during the week. I'll write a short review when it arrives

.

dannybuoy · #17 08-08-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillento

The JDI Mark3 has a hi-cut filter, too.
Did you try it?

My one doesn't have that feature! Maybe you're confusing the 'speaker' button (which applies a -30dB pad to let you wire it in parallel with your speaker cab) for a speaker sim?

nad · #18 08-08-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

My one doesn't have that feature! Maybe you're confusing the 'speaker' button (which applies a -30dB pad to let you wire it in parallel with your speaker cab) for a speaker sim?

I do believe that engages said speaker simulation. From the manual:

Quote:

(12) SPEAKER switch - a pad circuit that allows you to tap the signal from a speaker cabinet. Features a band-pass filter to emulate a 12" driver. Note: Only use in parallel with a speaker cabinet or load box.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillento

The JDI Mark3 has a hi-cut filter, too.
Did you try it?

Does it work well for bass? I thought that it was meant to simulate a guitar cabinet, and at the time I had one I was still using tweeters so didn't care about such things. Also, if I remember correctly, I sold you my JDI last year some time.

Yes I know you your question was directed toward SlappinChinos, just thought it was worth testing my own memory banks for such things.

I suppose that it would be possible to run a speaker-out signal to a JDI and then feed that XLR to house, if the hi-cut works well enough. Then again my head has a DI and I could always just push the Post EQ button and kill the treble from there.

Problem solved once again. See, I'm trying to spend money, and I just can't do it.

bongomania · #19 08-08-2009, 08:11 PM

I would also have to ask whether emulating a 12" guitar speaker involves rolling off the lows just as much as the highs.

SpankyPants · #20 08-08-2009, 08:26 PM

Yes, it filters out both the highs and the lows.