Good DI/Preamp for recording

Limlam · #1 05-30-2008, 02:22 PM

My band are recording demos of some new tracks, we are in the process of switching labels so we are recording on a budget. The drums are being tracked in a professional studio then everything else is DIY as everyone is in different parts of the country.

so my question...

What would be the best way to get a good bass sound recording direct into a good quality desk/soundcard.
I have previously owned a sansamp DI which i used extensivley live and a little in the studio up until I Upgraded my equipment and no longer felt the need for it.
Im considering buying another just for this use. But would like to know if there are any others people would reccomend?

DyingatGrace · #2 05-30-2008, 02:26 PM

Radial JDI or a MXR M-181

superkicky · #3 05-30-2008, 03:02 PM

what gear do you currently own?

on a budget, i'd shoot for a used groove tubes brick (there was one on sale in the classifieds last i looked), or maybe a used summit audio td-100. or an ART tube MP, which isn't strictly a DI box but can work very nicely as one, at a relatively low price point.

the jdi's a good one as well, with a jensen transformer inside and all.

what's your budget like and what kind of tone are you going for? do you want eq capability on the DI, or just something to go straight to board with?

your mic pre when your signal hits the mixer will also matter some.

Limlam · #4 05-30-2008, 03:35 PM

My budget is max around 300.

I currently run through a sunn 300t into a ampeg 8x10.

bongomania · #5 05-30-2008, 05:48 PM

JDI if all you need is a perfect little DI. If you also want to add a bunch of tone-shaping, there are the Aguilar Tone Hammer, Sadowsky DI, and a variety of similar outboard pre boxes with a DI built in. Remember though that you can always add tone-shaping (even overdrive) to a recorded track, but you can never remove it if you record the original track with processing on it.

Hphazard · #6 05-30-2008, 05:51 PM

For a little more, you can get an Avalon U5, I used this when we recorded at NRG along with my svt4pro, SWWWWEEEEET!!

A lot of the players in the bands we toured with had them on stage with them live too.

-HAZ

D.Don · #7 05-30-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limlam

My budget is max around 300.

I currently run through a sunn 300t into a ampeg 8x10.

if you can ups just a lil, this is the way to go:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...ick&category0=

D.Don

Munjibunga · #8 05-30-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

JDI if all you need is a perfect little DI. If you also want to add a bunch of tone-shaping, there are the Aguilar Tone Hammer, Sadowsky DI, and a variety of similar outboard pre boxes with a DI built in. Remember though that you can always add tone-shaping (even overdrive) to a recorded track, but you can never remove it if you record the original track with processing on it.

Except you can't get a Tone Hammer. I'd go with a Radial JDI or J48 to stay under $200, but Avalon U5 if you've got the bucks.

dannybuoy · #9 05-31-2008, 03:41 AM

I plan to get a Sansamp VT Bass pedal and a DI Box. I will put the DI before the VT Bass so I can record both wet and dry tracks. This way you can get the great sound of that pedal recorded direct, and if you want the clean sound you've got that too, which you can process later using Guitar Rig or AmpegSVX plugins. You can even mix both tracks together , it will sound like using 2 amps!

JimmyM · #10 05-31-2008, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limlam

My budget is max around 300.

I currently run through a sunn 300t into a ampeg 8x10.

If at all possible, mic it! I'm currently using a Heil PR 40, which tops out your budget at $325, but you can use a Shure SM-57 or 58 with excellent results as well. You would need some sort of mic preamp, though.

One of the best DI's that doesn't cost a fortune is a Countryman Type 85. Been used on many hit records, also you're able to use it at speaker level so you can DI the sound of your tubes if you'd like. Radials are probably your best bet if you're looking for the best DI that $300 can buy, though.

Bass is dirt simple to record, though, and even the DI in the back of most decent amps can do a really good job. I've even gotten killer sounds with those $40 Whirlwind DI's when it was all I had.

dannybuoy · #11 05-31-2008, 05:34 AM

By the way, if you haven't yet got a quality soundcard, I can recommend the Mackie Onyx Satellite. It has 2 really nice mic pre-amps in it and can take a Hi-Z intrument input if you just want to record your bass direct without the need for a DI Box. And it's mega cheap too!

knarleybass · #12 05-31-2008, 05:37 AM

I did some recording with the Little Labs DI, it was pretty amazing.