Effects question

[CrashCarlisle]

Hello TalkBass! New guy here....

I have a question about adding something with a DI to my currrent setup and need help.

I'm playing a Gibson SG through a Peavey TNT Model 115 Combo that's 30 years old. My only effects is a Digitech X Series Bass Driver. The Amp does not have an XLR output, so I use a 1/4" to XLR cable to go direct.

However, in order to get sound from the cabinet, I can only push the jack part way in and it's a bit fussy....this is bad because my band calls me 'Crash' for a reason.

What should I add to this setup that would be useful and give me an XLR DI?

Thanks in advance...

[cheapbasslovin]

On the uber cheap, you could get any one of a number of basic active or passive direct boxes from Samson, DOD, Art. You could move up to tone shapers such as a Hartke Bass Attack (pretty inexpensive), Sansamp Bass Driver (semi-spendy), or MXR M80 (in-between).

Or you could spend about 5 times what you did on your amp and get a REDDI.

Any of these will be better than what you got rocking now. Personally I'd lean to the cheap DI and an upgraded amp unless you plan on going DI a whole bunch.

[Gadgetjunky]

Yea, a 1/4" to XLR adapter isn't the same as a balanced XLR DI.

[CrashCarlisle]

Thanks for the fast reply! I use DI at 90% of the gigs I play, which is 2-3 times a month. A new amp means a new cabinet, and I can afford neither right now. (Because I'm a musician)

I've been thinking of the Sansamp Bass Driver or the MXR M80....so it's interesting you mentioned them. They seem to be popular here on talkbass.com.

Excuse my ignorance, but how would those work with my existing Digitech device? Or would it replace it?

[Gadgetjunky]

Well, I think you would go:

Bass>digitech>DI>amp

So what happens is the you amp is like a monitor for you with you controlling the eq and volume for you needs on stage, the Digitech signal would go to the board and be properly eq'd there and still be going to your amp.

[mwalle1]

You plug your bass into the digitech then from digitech to the DI, XLR to the house of course, and send the output of the DI to your amp input. I would get a Radial DI myself....

[CrashCarlisle]

But it's not redundant to have both effects?

[alec]

If you got either of the Hartke Bass Attack, Sansamp or M80, you could probably do away with the Digitech.

[cheapbasslovin]

It's only redundant if you can't find a use for both of them in the same gig. If you get a Sansamp and prefer its distortion or tones to anything you get from the Digitech, then it will probably replace the Digitech.

It doesn't have to, though.

Check the Post Your Pedalboard thread, you can really load up on similar types of effects for subtle differences.

[loopmantra]

Originally Posted by alec

If you got either of the Hartke Bass Attack, Sansamp or M80, you could probably do away with the Digitech.

def.you have distortion channel on m80,which you can use as a driver,plus you have a smartgate option,so,really no use for digitech then

[CrashCarlisle]

Thanks for the help. I'll be picking up the M80 today, Lord willing.....

[chokeslam512]

Do you use the Digitech as an always on pedal or intermittently within a song? If intermittently, it would be a good idea to keep it as when you are using you DI for both DI and drive you would need it to always be on otherwise lose your sound in FOH.

[CrashCarlisle]

I changed my mind and went with the Sansamp BDDI because the Digitech is an overdrive/distortion and I can benifit from the tube amp emulation. I'll use both, so now I can have two different sounds!

This is a first for me....after 30 years of playing bass. What a new world.....