Which DI for my bass?

bikeplate · #1 11-23-2008, 01:04 PM

HI

Looking to pick up an inexpensive DI for my bass. Radial passive the way to go?

Rob

SteveC · #2 11-23-2008, 01:10 PM

I think Radial is as good as any, probably better.

bikeplate · #3 11-23-2008, 01:12 PM

HI

Thanx Steve. I think you are prolly right. Two of my amps have DI but I have a nice old Bassman that I need it for, Also, good to have in your bag just in case. Ya know?

Rob

SteveC · #4 11-23-2008, 01:19 PM

Yeah, I just sold mine because I tend to use the DI from my GB combo. Probably should have kept it.

dannybuoy · #5 11-23-2008, 01:40 PM

The Radial JDI is one of the best DIs going, but the Radial ProDI is also excellent for around half the price. I doubt you'd be able to tell the difference in sound quality anyway, especially when live!

justinbass · #6 11-23-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

The Radial JDI is one of the best DIs going, but the Radial ProDI is also excellent for around half the price. I doubt you'd be able to tell the difference in sound quality anyway, especially when live!

Yuppers.

Spencer! · #7 11-23-2008, 01:51 PM

I think the Countryman Type 85 is pretty much the standard in the studio. Just go with the one that has the features you want - they should all sound pretty much the same.

jaseOZ · #8 11-23-2008, 04:56 PM

Is the JDI cool for passive instruments?

If I run the bass through a VT Bass pedal does that boost the signal enough to compensate?

I just read in another thread that sometimes the signal is too low for the desk or something?

bikeplate · #9 11-23-2008, 06:40 PM

HI

Looks as if the Countryman needs phantom power or a battery. Does the basic Radial need the same? I think not. Anyone know for sure?

Rob

bongomania · #10 11-23-2008, 06:42 PM

Radial JDI does not need power, but the J48 and ProDI do need power.

()smoke() · #11 11-23-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikeplate

HI

Looks as if the Countryman needs phantom power or a battery. Does the basic Radial need the same? I think not. Anyone know for sure?

Rob

the jdi doesn't require phantom power or a battery, if that's what you're asking

from what i understand, the issue with a passive di and a passive bass is extremely long cable runs to the board because of the loading of the cable on the signal...i'm probably going to buy a di in a few months, and i'm contemplating passive or active as well, probably going with the jdi since my instruments are equipped with onboard preamps

edit:bongo beat me to it, and he knows leaps and bounds more about this stuff than i do, ha

bongomania · #12 11-23-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaseOZ

Is the JDI cool for passive instruments?

If I run the bass through a VT Bass pedal does that boost the signal enough to compensate?

I just read in another thread that sometimes the signal is too low for the desk or something?

Yeah, I love the sound of the JDI but I do think some additional gain may be needed with low-output basses (whether active or passive) running into certain mixers with low-gain channel preamps. IOW extra gain may not always be needed, but personally I would carry some sort of extra boost pedal just in case. It doesn't need to be a ton of extra gain though.

bikeplate · #13 11-23-2008, 06:46 PM

HI

Thanx guys. I use Sadowsky basses with the onboard pre. Would u recommend the prodi or the jdi?

Rob

20db pad · #14 11-23-2008, 06:58 PM

I'll echo the low-output observation regarding the JDI, but it's no concern with a Sadowsky bass if you're not shy with the onboard preamp. Regarding the more expensive Radial Engineering offerings, here's what Anthony Jackson recommends:

Good Mic Pre/DI

GassieBall · #15 11-23-2008, 07:04 PM

Thanks for bringing this topic up again, Rob. I've done searching and also have come to the conclusion that Radial is the way to go. I guess this isn't really hijacking this thread, cause it's a related question that was alluded to above...

How much difference is there between the J48 and the Pro48? I can understand that I probably wouldn't hear much difference live, but what about when I'm practicing solo? And when people say there is a difference, what is it? (Noise, tone, fidelity, range, etc?) Is it worth the price differential?

bikeplate · #16 11-23-2008, 07:05 PM

HI

Yea, Im sure a Radial will be great. Now, which one? LOL

Rob

Stereo Joe · #17 11-23-2008, 07:09 PM

I'll just chime in here (I can actually contribute something useful - yay!)

I use my basses in passive mode 90% of the time and I play with a soft touch. I always had sound techs complaining about the low output signal they were getting from my DIs. I had both the Radial JDI and the ProDI. Eventually, I switched to a Radial J48 and I haven't had any complaints from sound guys. The tone is a little crisper and fuller as well with my passive basses.

The other night, the sound tech wanted me to plug into the DI he already had set up, so I did. After the show, he complained about having to put the input gain really high on the bass channel on the mixer. I don't know what DI he had, but it obviously didn't put out as much as the J48.

So, in my experience, passive basses (especially if you play with a light touch) can definitely benefit from the added juice of an active DI. And I guess an active DI can help prevent that pickup loading issue if it ever came up.

My $0.02....

GassieBall · #18 11-23-2008, 07:10 PM

Well, personally I think I'm gonna get the active version. I have both active and passive basses and I can always hit the -15 db pad to tame my actives. But if I want to play a passive and the signal is weak, I won't be able to compensate with a passive DI.

GassieBall · #19 11-23-2008, 07:11 PM

Stereo Joe beat me to it and said it better than I did.

CElton · #20 11-23-2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikeplate

HI

Yea, Im sure a Radial will be great. Now, which one? LOL

Rob

Rob, I'm sure the Radial JDI will get the job done with your active Sads. I always carry one just in case. Sometimes for festival gigs or a situation where I know there will be long cable runs, I bring my GT Ditto for some extra gain.