DI in signal chain on pedalboard?

gnasher1993 · #1 08-06-2009, 02:42 PM

Ok, before all you search monkeys pounce on me...I did search but couldn't find anything addressing the question I want to ask.

I'm about to get a DI and I want to use the EQ of the DI in my effects chain. Are there are any disadvantages to having the DI in my signal chain? I assume that I would put the DI at the end of my signal chain so I could still use the balanced DI output?

Thanks.

TrevorOfDoom · #2 08-06-2009, 02:50 PM

what DI are you getting that has an EQ?

gnasher1993 · #3 08-06-2009, 03:01 PM

A DHA-DI-EQ. It's not up on Dave's website but here's a link to the ebay page http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DHA-DI-EQ-bala...ht_1621wt_1165

I'm buying it directly from Dave rather than ebay.

TrevorOfDoom · #4 08-06-2009, 03:09 PM

cool. didn't know about that.

for the record, you're exactly right. put it where you want it. but if you put it at the end, the EQ might almost be worthless IMO.

bassman1185 · #5 08-06-2009, 03:13 PM

If the purpose of you having the DHA is for the purpose of using it as a DI to go into the board, then yes, last is the only place that makes sense for it. Otherwise, obviously, anything you put after it in the signal chain won't come through the mains, which are realistically the only thing that anyone actually hears.

Honestly, though, I'm waiting for a manufacturer to get their heads on straight about how bassists (read: I) want to use DIs. My ideal DI would have an EQ function that could ONLY color the DI, not the 1/4" amp output. Yeah, I know, the SABDDI and the M-80 have parallel outputs, but the parallel outputs are positioned in the least logical place: Right next to the input, on the side that usually gets crammed right up next to another pedal. They're worthless if you have a tight pedalboard.

TrevorOfDoom · #6 08-06-2009, 03:17 PM

Bassman, perhaps a signal splitter, with one signal going to the DI and EQ of your choosing, and the other to the amp?

bassman1185 · #7 08-06-2009, 03:23 PM

Yeah, I suppose that would work, but using a passive splitter weakens tone, and using an active/buffered splitter will require another power source, etc... Plus, it usually ends up being most effective to just run the DI pre-EQ anyway.

BrennP90 · #8 08-06-2009, 03:26 PM

I have a similar setup that I plan on getting, a Sadowsky Pre/DI and a VT Bass. Do you think I'll be losing a lot by having the VT Bass before the preamp?

bassman1185 · #9 08-06-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrennP90

I have a similar setup that I plan on getting, a Sadowsky Pre/DI and a VT Bass. Do you think I'll be losing a lot by having the VT Bass before the preamp?

I don't. That should be a pretty killer sounding setup. I use the VT bass, and it's a great piece of gear, and I've never heard anything bad about the Sadowsky preamp.

gnasher1993 · #10 08-06-2009, 03:48 PM

Ok, so my signal chain will be:

Line 6 Otto Filter > Line 6 Constrictor > Guyatone TZ-2 > Ashdown Hyperdrive > Boss PS-5 > Boss BF-2 > Fender Volume/Tone > Danelectro Reel Echo > Rocktron Cyborg Reverb

I'm looking at getting a blender/TBP looper to put around the TZ-2 as it sucks a bit too much bass for my liking so I want to blend a bit of my clean signal. I'm also planning on getting an EHX mole to boost the bass, which will probably go before the PS-5.

In terms of the preamp, when I'm not using it for DI purposes it will go before the PS-5 and be used an equalizer. When I'm using it as a DI, it will go at the very end of my signal chain.

I think would all work, what do you reckon?

bassman1185 · #11 08-06-2009, 03:54 PM

It will work, but my wager is that if you put all that on a board, you're going to get really sick of rearranging pedals every time you need a DI, and you'll end up just putting the DHA at the end of your chain.

I give it three gigs.

gnasher1993 · #12 08-06-2009, 04:05 PM

I'm not going to have to rearrange it

. I'm going to make an "Effects Order Switcher". Everything after the preamp in the signal chain will be in loop B and the preamp itself will be in Loop A.

Obviously both Loops are always on, it's not a loop switcher as such. All I have to do is hit the switch and the preamp is all the way to the end of my signal chain. If my amp dies on me, I can hit the switch and use the preamp as a DI box. I think it could work and the more I think about it, the more awesome it seems

. I'm pretty excited about this now

.

DHA · #13 08-07-2009, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Honestly, though, I'm waiting for a manufacturer to get their heads on straight about how bassists (read: I) want to use DIs. My ideal DI would have an EQ function that could ONLY color the DI, not the 1/4" amp output. Yeah, I know, the SABDDI and the M-80 have parallel outputs, but the parallel outputs are positioned in the least logical place: Right next to the input, on the side that usually gets crammed right up next to another pedal. They're worthless if you have a tight pedalboard.

Our new DHA-Twin-DI-EQ is designed to do this. It has two DI's one pre and one post EQ, so the pre EQ DI does not colour in any way. This design came out of a few threads on this subject a while back. I could add another 1/4" buffered but uncoloured output as well but it's just as simple to use an XLR to 1/4" cable if the amp does not have an XLR in.

gnasher1993 · #14 08-07-2009, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHA

Our new DHA-Twin-DI-EQ is designed to do this. It has two DI's one pre and one post EQ, so the pre EQ DI does not colour in any way. This design came out of a few threads on this subject a while back. I could add another 1/4" buffered but uncoloured output as well but it's just as simple to use an XLR to 1/4" cable if the amp does not have an XLR in.

I wondered when you would appear Dave

. Thanks for the info. I'm not sure I need the twin though. I can't afford it to be completely honest

.