DI/Pedal Preamp for live and studio

[NKBassman]

Mods, I wasn't sure if this should go in Amps, Effects, Live Sound, or Recording, so here we go...

Howdy folks.

I'm trying to take advantage of the stereo outs on my Yamaha Attitude bass during live performances, without having to shell out for a 2nd amp rig.

I was thinking of running a "virtual" stereo setup during live performances by running the bridge pickup through my regular rig (heavy on the fuzz/dirt) and micing the cab to provide the majority of "my sound", and then running the neck woofer pickup direct to the board through a DI or basic pedal preamp, to provide some clarity and definition to the low end.

Also, as a band we like to record the vast majority of our jams, and I'd like to be able to use it there too for demoing new songs and whatnot.

Requirements:
- Thurderous but clear and tight low end
- <$200
- Pedal size (no rack mount)
- XLR output
- Durable for live use, but quality for light amature studio use.
- Easy to use, so as not to piss off any sound guys live

[Hellbastard]

I'd get a simple D.I. Because that way you won't have to hassle to get the two signals balanced as much as you would need to if you had two different EQ settings on each signal. Plus when recording IME is better to have a clean track to which you can add process after you have record them.

[ItsMichaelYeah]

The only thing is that you'll need a good sound guy to pump the clean tone into the monitors on your side. If not all you'll hear is dirty tone, which I wouldn't mind.

As for what D.I. I used a few and love my aguilar tone hammer. But the options are limitless. I think you should figure out your budget and that will help you narrow it down.

[MuzikMan]

Basic is better in your situation. For <$200 you could get a Countryman Type 85 or a Radial JDI. If you had more money then getting additional features would be more attractive, but in your situation they really wouldn't be needed.

[NKBassman]

Thanks guys.

Hellbastard, that's kind of what I was thinking too. Plus it'd be nice to get a good DI for the home studio.

Michael, I'm thinking around $200 max. And I should say that I do want some of the clean coming through the mains. My stage volume is usually loud enough to peel paint, so monitors usually aren't a problem.

MuzikMan, thanks for the input.


I'm thinking the full blown preamp is out of consideration. It's basically down to the Countryman 85 or the Sadowsky Outboard Pre.

[prd004]

I would rank the Radial above the Countryman. I have three solid DI's; The Radial J48, Countryman Type 85, and the BSS Audio AR-133. They're all great but........

I used the AR-133 to record an album two years ago. The producer/engineer was a grammy nominee and former Seattle Art Institute instructor, he was BLOWN AWAY by the BSS. All he talked about was how great it was, and when the album was finished he sent me an email asking about my DI because he had to get one!

[NKBassman]

Can you run the AR-133 from the speaker output of an amp like the Countryman?

EDIT: Nevermind, just reading about it. Looks like you can by using the input pad switch. Any idea if it could handle the output from an SVT?

[prd004]

Never tried to run it that way, I always use my DI's in front of my amp.

It does not have a pickup/speaker switch like the Countryman, but it has a 0db, -20db, -40db switch.

[NKBassman]

Originally Posted by prd004

Never tried to run it that way, I always use my DI's in front of my amp.

It does not have a pickup/speaker switch like the Countryman, but it has a 0db, -20db, -40db switch.

Just curious. Thanks.

[NKBassman]

Weekend bump. Still interested in hearing some more opinions.