Does the Tech 21 VT Bass need a DI?

chargrilled · #1 10-12-2009, 01:05 PM

I've got the Tech 21 VT Bass for recording directly into a USB audio interface but was wondering if the sound would be improved if I put a DI box after it? Does anyone use it in this fashion

Thanks in advance!

wizay · #2 10-12-2009, 01:06 PM

Subscribed

bongomania · #3 10-12-2009, 01:09 PM

Your recording interface is a DI.

gnasher1993 · #4 10-12-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Your recording interface is a DI.

I laughed when I read that...

Kind of off topic...it would be pretty cool if the VT had a DI out. Or wouldn't it

?

chargrilled · #5 10-12-2009, 01:25 PM

gnasher1993 · #6 10-12-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chargrilled

Elaborate?

SoonerMatt · #7 10-12-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

I laughed when I read that...

Kind of off topic...it would be pretty cool if the VT had a DI out. Or wouldn't it

?

Do you mean it would be cool if it had an XLR out like the SansAmps have?

kraigo · #8 10-12-2009, 01:42 PM

It would be nice if it had an XLR out. Its lack is what keeps me from opening my wallet, as in I wouldn't have been able to resist it if it had one.

KO

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

I laughed when I read that...

Kind of off topic...it would be pretty cool if the VT had a DI out. Or wouldn't it

?

gnasher1993 · #9 10-12-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

Do you mean it would be cool if it had an XLR out like the SansAmps have?

That's what I said isn't it

? Yes, ^ that's what I mean...

kraigo · #10 10-12-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

That's what I said isn't it

? Yes, ^ that's what I mean...

Not really. AFAIK, it does DI with a 1/4" out of some sort. I wish it had a "true DI" - balanced out on an XLR jack (and could run off phantom power like the BDDI can).

KO

bongomania · #11 10-12-2009, 02:30 PM

The output of the VT is not balanced. It needs a balanced output to be a proper DI. The purpose of a DI is to make the signal most compatible for the pathway and device that receives it. In the case of most DI's, that means a long cable to a mic input on a mixer.

In the case of the USB audio interface, the definition of an audio interface is that it converts your signal into what is compatible with the pathway and device that receives it, namely your computer. It is therefore a DI.

The only exception for a bass/guitar would be if your USB interface only has a balanced input, or if its input is very low impedance, say less than 100 Kohms, though the impedance is only an issue for a passive bass.

gnasher1993 · #12 10-12-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraigo

Not really. AFAIK, it does DI with a 1/4" out of some sort.

Not really...

chargrilled · #13 10-12-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

The output of the VT is not balanced. It needs a balanced output to be a proper DI. The purpose of a DI is to make the signal most compatible for the pathway and device that receives it. In the case of most DI's, that means a long cable to a mic input on a mixer.

In the case of the USB audio interface, the definition of an audio interface is that it converts your signal into what is compatible with the pathway and device that receives it, namely your computer. It is therefore a DI.

The only exception for a bass/guitar would be if your USB interface only has a balanced input, or if its input is very low impedance, say less than 100 Kohms, though the impedance is only an issue for a passive bass.

That explains it cheers! Looks like I can spend the cash on something else in that case

JimmyM · #14 10-13-2009, 12:54 AM

I've used it many times direct into my computer's soundcard with a 1/4" to phono plug adapter, and it's always worked great.

dancehallclasher · #15 10-13-2009, 03:36 AM

Not in the sense that it'll greatly improve the sound but HECK YES it does. I don't understand why Tech 21 would produce amp-modeling boxes without an XLR, ESPECIALLY for bass.

dannybuoy · #16 10-13-2009, 03:54 AM

If it had an XLR, I would only use it if it had an FX loop like the Sansamp deluxe. I like to have delay and modulation after the VT, so I run a JDI at the end of my chain.

robgo · #17 10-13-2009, 04:56 AM

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but all the DI does is convert a 2 pole unbalanced signal to a 3 pole balanced signal which uses a TRS or XLR connector, and is less susceptible to interference and better at long distance cables?
Would there not be any benefit to all bass/fx/amp chains using balanced circuits?
Am I thinking too much (or not enough)?

Phagor · #18 10-13-2009, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robgo

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but all the DI does is convert a 2 pole unbalanced signal to a 3 pole balanced signal which uses a TRS or XLR connector, and is less susceptible to interference and better at long distance cables?

Yes. But also, a mic input at the receiving end is low impedence. You don't want to connect a bass directly to that - the impedence mismatch will make the bass sound nasty.

The transformer or active circuit in a DI box matches the impedences of the sender and receiver.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robgo

Would there not be any benefit to all bass/fx/amp chains using balanced circuits?
Am I thinking too much (or not enough)?

Yes there would be a benefit. Balanced and unbalanced gear is compatible. You can use balanced ins and outs with ordinary mono leads - you just don't get the balanced effect of interference and noise reduction. Win win.

However it would add a little bit to the cost because of the extra components.

And in the case of the VT, I guess Sansamp wanted to make it clear it's a pedal, so it doesn't take away market share from their DI products.

But yeah, I'd love it if mine had a DI out

kraigo · #19 10-17-2009, 08:45 AM

The effects loop mentioned above would be cool, but I wouldn't use it.

It's not that difficult to patch in pedals, but it does take time and is one of the more frequent sources of failure (and noise): the pedal itself, the patch cables or the power that runs them, be it battery or a wall wart. If the thing simply had a DI it'd be one stop shopping. If I have to patch another DI box in afterward it becomes much less appealing to me. I'm a sucker for simple signal chains.

No DI on the VT has been the barrier to the sale for me. I won't buy one until it has it, because if I buy one without it I know that the very next month they'll release one that does have it.

KO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phagor

Yes. But also, a mic input at the receiving end is low impedence. You don't want to connect a bass directly to that - the impedence mismatch will make the bass sound nasty.

The transformer or active circuit in a DI box matches the impedences of the sender and receiver.

Yes there would be a benefit. Balanced and unbalanced gear is compatible. You can use balanced ins and outs with ordinary mono leads - you just don't get the balanced effect of interference and noise reduction. Win win.

However it would add a little bit to the cost because of the extra components.

And in the case of the VT, I guess Sansamp wanted to make it clear it's a pedal, so it doesn't take away market share from their DI products.

But yeah, I'd love it if mine had a DI out

Earwaxsculptor · #20 10-17-2009, 01:08 PM

I plug it right into my Tapco Link USB Interface and it sounds amazing.